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?