Benedictine monasteries
Most of the monasteries in Iceland were operated according to international standards and as such they belonged to either the Order of St. Augustine or the Order of St. Benedict. Other monastic orders did not operate monasteries in Iceland. The Orders of St. Augustine and the Order of St. Benedict both practiced agriculture and fishing just like the general public, and in that sense, these two orders were well suited for Icelandic circumstances. The Order of St. Benedict did not have priests and as such they only had monks and nuns. Both of the female monasteries operated in Iceland belonged to the Order of St. Benedict. The Order of St. Benedict made chastity a requirement along with not owning any properties among other rules for everyday way of living. For every sin there was a penalty, and the sentence was more often than not carried out with community service within the walls of the monasteries where the sick and those in need were also offered shelter. Within the walls of the monasteries communal reforms were encouraged in the forms of the writing of Hagiography and the making of cloths which carried the message of Catholic Christianity.
Five monasteries in Iceland were operated under the Order of St. Benedict. Those were:
- Þingeryar Male Monastery
- Munkaþverá Male Monastery
- Hítardalur Male Monastery
- Kirkjubæjarklaustur Female Monastery
- Reynistaðir Female Monastery
