| As early as the eighth century, culdee anchorites were accustomed to retire to Iceland from Scotland. |
| Often individual anchorites were attached to a cenobium, where they might return for communal worship. |
| It is difficult to say exactly when the life of the anchorites and cenobites took on a definite character of obligation toward God and the Church. |
| Some cave-dwelling anchorites, through rigorous discipline, reached the ecstasy of saints and were taken to heaven where they saw and heard things which human beings are not allowed to understand. |
| Soon there were great numbers of desert anchorites, living solitary lives of devotion to God and coming together for weekly prayer services. |
| Many anchorites and anchoresses taught people from their cells. |
