Hermit vs. Anchorite — What's the Difference?

An individual living in seclusion from society.

Someone who has withdrawn from secular life for spiritual work.

A person seeking solitude for spiritual or personal growth.

One who lives attached to a religious institution for life.

Someone who chooses isolated living to explore philosophical or religious ideas.

A figure of deep religious commitment and isolation.

A solitary figure, often revered in various cultures.

A religious recluse permanently residing in a small cell.

A person who lives alone, avoiding social interactions.

A person living a life of extreme asceticism within a religious context.

A hermit, or eremite (adjectival form: hermitic or eremitic), is a person who lives in seclusion. Hermits are a part of several sections of various religions and this concept has garnered significant attention and importance.

In Christianity, an anchorite or anchoret (female: anchoress) is someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, or Eucharist-focused life. Whilst anchorites are frequently considered to be a type of religious hermit, unlike hermits they were required to take a vow of stability of place, opting for permanent enclosure in cells often attached to churches.

A person living in solitude as a religious discipline.

A person who has retired into seclusion for religious reasons.

A hummingbird found in the shady lower layers of tropical forests, foraging along a regular route.

One who lives in isolation or seclusion, especially for religious reasons; hermit.

A person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence; a recluse.

Same as Anchoret.

A cookie made with molasses, raisins, and nuts.

One retired from society for religious reasons

A religious recluse; someone who lives alone for religious reasons; an eremite.

A recluse; someone who lives alone and shuns human companionship.

A spiced cookie made with molasses, raisins, and nuts.

A hermit crab.

Any in the subfamily Phaethornithinae of hummingbirds.

A person who retires from society and lives in solitude; a recluse; an anchoret; especially, one who so lives from religious motives.

A beadsman; one bound to pray for another.

A spiced molasses cookie, often containing chopped raisins and nuts.

One retired from society for religious reasons

One who lives in solitude

An anchorite lives in a small, often windowless cell, dedicating their days to prayer and minimal contact with the outside world.

While hermits can be found in many religious traditions, they are not necessarily bound to any one faith; their practice can also be purely philosophical or personal.

A hermit seeks solitude for spiritual growth, personal reflection, or escape from societal norms.

Hermits often live off the land, growing their own food or living minimally; some may also receive food and supplies from nearby communities as alms.

Anchorites are seen as embodying extreme religious devotion and sacrifice, often viewed as intercessors or spiritual warriors in their communities.

Yes, hermits can choose when and how to interact with others, although they generally prefer solitude.

Anchorites are often considered to be living a life of intercession; their prayers are seen as powerful and beneficial for the wider community.

Yes, historically, both men and women have chosen to become anchorites, although their experiences and the nature of their seclusion could vary significantly.

Some hermits might take vows of solitude, poverty, or chastity, but these are not universally required and depend on personal or religious motivations.

Traditionally, anchorites do not leave their cells once they have taken their vows, as their commitment is meant to be permanent and symbolic of dying to the world.

Yes, there are people who choose to live as hermits even in modern times, seeking solitude for various personal and spiritual reasons.

Hermits have origins that trace back to ancient religions and philosophies, often associated with the desire to find spiritual enlightenment away from the distractions of society.

An anchorite’s cell is usually small and attached to a church with minimal furnishings, often only a bed, a prayer stool, and perhaps a small garden.

Anchorites usually depend on the surrounding community or the church for food and basic necessities, delivered through a small window or hatch.

Living in solitude can lead to profound personal insights and peace, but it might also pose challenges such as loneliness or psychological stress.