Gyrovagi

/dʒaɪ.ˈrɒv.ə.dʒaɪ/ noun

Definition

Plural of gyrovagus: in medieval history, monks who wandered from monastery to monastery without permanent allegiance, viewed with suspicion by the Church.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'gyrovagus', combining Greek 'gyros' (circle/wandering) + Latin 'vagus' (wanderer). Church documents from the 6th-8th centuries criticized these traveling monks.

Kelly Says

Medieval Church authorities hated gyrovagi because they were freelance monks—wandering around without permission or oversight, basically the rebels of the religious world!

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