In early Christian practice, women living in chaste community with monks or priests, dedicating themselves to spiritual service without marriage vows.
From Greek 'agapē' (love/charity) via Latin. The term describes a specific early Christian practice where spiritual 'beloved ones' lived in community practicing charitable work.
This was an actual early Christian practice where unmarried women could live a spiritual life without becoming formal nuns—it shows how early Christians were creative about giving women meaningful religious roles!
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