monastikós

Monastikós is a Greek adjective meaning monastic or relating to monks and monasteries. It describes things connected with monastic life, monastic communities, or monastery-associated settings. The word derives from the noun monk, monachos (μοναχός), with the suffix -ikos, forming a characteristic adjective.

In Modern Greek, the forms are masculine μοναστικός, feminine μοναστική, and neuter μοναστικό. The term is used across religious, historical, architectural, and cultural contexts to characterize life, institutions, or objects tied to monastic practice. Common usages include phrases such as μονοστηριακή ζωή? (monastic life) and μονοστικός ναός (monastic church), though the exact phrasing can vary by region and register. The concept is frequently contrasted with or linked to μοναχισμός (monasticism), the broader system and discipline of monks living under religious vows.

In English-language scholarship, the corresponding term is monastic, and monastikós is encountered mainly in transliterations or discussions of Greek texts. The word highlights the concrete and cultural dimensions of monastic life—daily routines, vows, hierarchy within monasteries, and the architectural and artistic practices associated with monastic communities. Overall, monastikós functions as a precise linguistic descriptor for anything pertaining to monasteries, monks, and the lifestyle they embody.