Hermit

A hermit (from the Greek erēmos, signifying "desert", "uninhabited", hence "desert-dweller") is a person who lives to some greater or lesser degree in seclusion and/or isolation from society.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Originally the term was applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament (i.e. the 40 years wandering in the desert that was meant to bring about a change of heart).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Often – both in religious and secular literature – the term is used loosely for anyone living a solitary life-style – including the misanthropist – and in religious contexts is sometimes assumed to be interchangeable with anchorite/anchoress (from the Greek anachōreō, signifying "to withdraw", "to depart into the country outside the circumvallated city"), recluse and solitary. However, it is important to retain a clear distinction.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Christian hermits in the past have most often lived in caves, forests, or deserts, but some of them preferred an isolated cell in a monastery or even a city. From what is known of their contribution to Christian heritage, male hermits were more common than female. As regards the anchorites, one that has left a lasting impression on Christian spirituality is the English anchoress Julian of Norwich.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Greek: The noun Greek refers to:...

Seclusion: A person, a couple, or a larger group may go to a secluded place for privacy, or because the place is quiet....

Isolation: Isolation can refer to:...

Hermit related Images and Photos (experimental)

Hermit	Hermit Crab	The Hermit	Antony of Egypt Hermit
Landscape with Hermit Pinacoteca Nazionale Ferrara	Tube-Dwelling or Coral Hermit Crab Paguritta Harmsi in Coral Australia	Saint Benedict of Nursia Italian Religious Gained Fame for Sanctity as Hermit Near Subiaco