Gyrovague

/ˈdʒaɪ.roʊ.veɪg/ noun

Definition

A medieval monk who wandered from monastery to monastery instead of maintaining a permanent residence at one community.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'gyrovagus' (wandering monk). The term appears in St. Benedict's writings (6th century) where such monks are condemned as undisciplined and unreliable.

Kelly Says

Gyrovagues were basically the medieval equivalent of backpackers—traveling monks seeing the world, but the Church considered them troublemakers and rule-breakers!

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