Editing Novice (section)

====Eastern Orthodoxy====
{{main|Degrees of Orthodox monasticism#Novice}}
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], a candidate may be clothed as a novice ([[Church Slavonic|Slavonic]]: послушник, ''poslushnik'', literally "one under obedience") by the [[hegumen]] ([[abbot]]) or hegumenia ([[abbess]]) after at least three days in the monastery. There is no formal ceremony for the clothing of a novice; he or she is simply given the [[Cassock#Eastern practice (Orthodox and Eastern Catholic)|riassa]], belt and [[skoufos]]. Novice [[nun]]s additionally wear a veil ([[apostolnik]]) that covers the head and neck. A novice is also given a [[prayer rope]] and instructed in the use of the [[Jesus Prayer]]. In large communities, the new novice may be assigned a [[starets]] (spiritual father or spiritual mother) who will guide his (or her) spiritual development. Frequent [[Confession (religion)#Eastern Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy|confession of sins]] and participation in the [[sacred mysteries]] (sacraments) of the church is an important part of Orthodox monastic life.

A novice is free to leave the monastery at any time, and the superior is free to dismiss the novice at any time if, for instance, they feel that the novice is not called to monasticism or if there have been issues of discipline. If, however, the novice perseveres, after a period of around three years, the hegumen may choose to clothe them in the first (beginning) rank of monasticism: the [[rassaphore]].