As members of the Church (Elder Efraim Vatopaidinos)

Saint John says something very much inspired by God: ‘Monastics are the light for lay people; angels are the light for monastics’. He says this not to denigrate lay people. He says it to show the majesty of the experience of the Church, in which a monastic can strive, dedicate himself or herself and receive the Grace of the Holy Spirit in a special way, though they do so as members of the Church.