What type of monasticism did Gregory the Great promote?

Gregory the Great promoted cenobitic monasticism, which is characterized by communal living and shared religious life in a monastery. In cenobitic communities, monks live together under a common rule and engage in communal worship, work, and responsibilities. This form of monasticism emphasizes the importance of community support and accountability, which are essential for spiritual growth and development. Gregory the Great's influence helped to establish and strengthen the practices of cenobitic monasticism in the Western Church, promoting a lifestyle that balanced communal life with personal spirituality.

The other forms of monasticism had different focuses: ascetic monasticism revolves around personal ascetic practices often in solitude, hermitic monasticism emphasizes individual withdrawal from society, and mendicant orders focus on poverty and living among the people, relying on charity and service rather than withdrawal for spiritual purposes. These distinctions highlight why cenobitic monasticism aligns perfectly with Gregory the Great's teachings and practices in promoting a structured communal approach to monastic life.