Concerning susperstitions, I have not dwelt a great deal on these, as for me they are unimportant. I'll keep in mind the explanation for the garlic if I should ever see that occur.
Concerning Seraphim Rose...and homosexuals who enter monasteries, I do not believe that this is right. Perhaps after years of "reparative therapy". But if this is a disorder that is prevalent in someone, I would say they ought to be left alone as a hermit.
I would acknolwedge one as a saint , however I would not say that they should have been in a monastery.
The last thing we need is a bunch of men living together who are homosexuals.
For monasticism, in latin west, greek east...oriental east, this has been an eternal problem.
Homosexuality is a curse upon the Church, like all the other major sins. When it occurs and men or women are left alone who have it ..it is I feel too common for temptations to occur and they fall. When that happens it leads to greater evils.
Primarily I feel that it allows clergy to be able to be blackmailed into doing bad things.
So I can not accept homosexuality disorder in monasteries. It may always be there somewhere, but it always needs to be sought ought and stamped out, avoided at all costs. The feelings and evidence I have seen and felt of this being wrong I will go to the grave believing in, without my mind being changed. It is a basic obvious dangerous disorder.