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A People’s History of Christianity:
The Other Side of the Story
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
May 10, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=__N_83Qdg9k
Chapter Four: Christianity as Spiritual Architecture
Chapter Five: Devotion: Paradise Restored
The Decline of the Roman Empire
“Everywhere we see mourning, from all sides we hear lamentation. Cities are destroyed, military camps are overturned, fields are laid waste. . . We see some led captive, others murdered, and she herself [Rome] who once seemed to be mistress of the world, what has remained of her is abundantly afflicted with tremendous misfortunes.”
Benedict , distraught by foreign invasions, fled to the Italian countryside around 500.
With his sister Scholastica, gathered a community of people who were looking for something more meaningful than what was offered by what was left of Roman Christianity.
Benedict developed a rule of life for this community, which ordered the community around the practice of humility; today called “The Rule of St. Benedict”
Benedict of Nursia (480 – 550 CE)
Benedictine monasticism made tremendous contributions to Europe
Monks ran schools that trained some of finest minds of Middle Ages
Copied ancient manuscripts, helped preserve knowledge of Greece, Rome
Monasteries became centers of wealth, power Kings, nobles donated money, gifts in exchange for
prayers said on their behalf As they became wealthier, monasteries drawn into local
politics Many monks acted as advisers, aides to local, national
rulers in Europe
Benedictine Monasteries
Pope Gregory I renewed the church amidst crumbling infrastructure.
He introduced choirs to assist in leading liturgy.
He emphasized preaching, and raised standards of clergy education.
He included mission and outreach as a practice for a parish church.
Under Gregory, the model of medieval spirituality became the parish church “infused with the devotion of the monastery.”
St. Benedict influenced Gregory the Great
Celtic Christianity
• Other branch of monasticism developed in Ireland• Celtic monks more ascetic, or severe, than
Benedictines• Fasted and spent days in
solitary contemplation• Built monasteries on
small islands to separate
monks, rest of society;
believed isolation helped
focus on faith.
Celtic Monasteries
Celtic Christians set out on journeys as a practice of faith.
Their understanding of the Christian life was one of a sacred journey.
Celtic Pilgrimage
Celtic Christians differed with Rome on a number of issues, including:The date of Easter - In 325CE the Council of
Nicaea established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. The equinox is when daytime and night are of the same duration. (ver = Latin for Spring)
Celtic Confrontation with Rome
The authority of the PopeMonastic Tonsure (Celtic Vs. Roman)
Celtic Confrontation with Rome
God bless the path on which you goGod bless the earth beneath your feetGod bless your destination.God be a smooth way before youA guiding star above youA keen eye behind youThis day, this night, and forever.God be with you whatever you passJesus be with you whatever you climbSpirit be with you wherever you stay.God be with you at each stop and each seaAt each lying down and each rising upIn the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows.Each step of the journey you take.
Celtic Traveling Prayer
Next week: Chapter SixMay 17: Ethics: Who is my Neighbor?
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