The Early Medieval Church

The Rise of Roman Catholicism

Lesson 5 23 October 2011

The Barbarian Invasions

The First Wave Goths, Visigoths, Ostragoths, Huns, Lombards, Burgundians
Settled into Spain, Southern Italy, North Africa, Southern France Many were already Arian Christians

The Second Wave The Franks and the Anglo-Saxons

Settled into France, Benelux, W. Germany and England

Missionary Efforts
Ulifas (383 AD) Translated the Bible into Gothic Language
Martin of Tours (355 400 AD) Leads a formation of monks that attacked the groves of where the Burgundians worshipped Augustine of Canterbury (ca. 590 AD) converts the Saxons Patrick of Ireland (387 493 AD) converts Ireland Gregory of Tours (538- 594 AD) converts the Franks Columba (521 597 AD) converts the Scots Boniface (680 740 AD) converts Germans East of the Rhine River Eastern Church Armenians convert in 301 AD; Bible translated in 433 AD Cyril and Methodius (ca. 800 AD) Translates Bible into Slavic

The Effects of the Invasions

In the West An End to the Roman form of Government and a common language In the East The Rise of the Byzantine Empire and the maintenance of the Roman Government and a common language (Greek) Problems for the Church
The mass conversions created nominal Christians Syncretism: Pagan worship practices brought into the Church, such as hero worship becoming Veneration of the Saints Holidays such as Christmas tied to festivals Reinforces the separation of the laity and the leadership of the Church

Monasticism
Begins in Egypt: Anthony (251 356 AD)
Originally, hermits who live in caves; more come and the cave complexes become known as cloisters Desire to retire from the world; escape evil materialism

Benedict of Nursia (480 547 AD)

Sought to escape the corruption of Rome; renounced riches and moved into mountains of Italy 529 AD Founds a monastery at Monte Cassio Establishes the Benedictine Order (The Rule of Benedict)
Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to leaders of the Church, especially the Bishop of Rome; taking the tonsure 7 prayer times: Matins, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, Compline Strict Diet: No meat except for sick Work emphasized Spiritual Reading of both sacred and secular books; Education Organization: The Abbot and the Prior (Provost)

The Effects of Monasticism

The Positive Effects
Provided security as chaos increased in the West Emphasized education Maintained the Scriptures and other important writings Reclaimed areas for civilization and agriculture (the frontiers) Missionary movement and center of humanitarian aid Maintained the unity of the Church Drained away leadership Emphasized celibacy Emphasized the divide between the sacred and secular Created a double standard of morality (mortal vs. venial sins) Played to the ego of the monks Became corrupt and rich

The Negative Effects

The Rise of Islam

Mohammed (570 632 AD)
Son of a Merchant who led camel caravans (traveled extensively) Would withdraw into the desert to pray; received the Koran in a cave outside of Mecca Becomes a prophet and preacher Influenced by Judaism and Christianity

622 AD The Hegira (The flight from Mecca to Medina) 630 AD The Capture of Mecca 632 AD The Death of the Prophet 632 AD 661 AD: The four rightly guided caliphs The Umayyad and Abbasid Empires Invasion of Europe and the conquest of Spain 732 AD Battle of Poitiers (Charles Martel)

The Rise of the Holy Roman Empire

The Merovingians
Clovis and Clotilda (466-511 AD) King of the Franks Establishes the Mayor of the Court
Pepin the First makes the Mayor position hereditary Charles Martel Battle of Poitiers (saves the West) Pepin the Short The Donation of Pepin which creates the Papal States in return Pope Stephen II crowns him King of the Franks

The Carolingian Empire

Charles the Great (Charlemagne) (742-814) becomes king Brings all of France and Germany under him (orders forced conversions) Organizes the empire into counties with a count (duke) in charge Emphasizes learning; begins Cathedral school at Aachen Rescues Pope Leo III who then crowns him Emperor (25 Dec 800) Restores the marriage relation of Church and State Otto (Great Grandson) will restore the Empire in 962 AD lasts until Napoleon

The Rise of the Pope

Primacy of the Bishop of Rome
Peter and Paul died there; the Status of Rome as the Capitol Western Church did not have the disunity of the Eastern Church The last Bishop standing after the Barbarian invasions

Peter as the First Pope

Matthew 16: 16-18 Who do you say that I am? Peters Letters from Rome Marks Gospel written in Rome under Peters tutelage

Leo I (440 460 AD)

First real pope; prevents the Huns and the Vandals from burning Rome Establishes the Ecclesiastical Court System to handle issues in the Church

Gelasius I (492-496 AD)

Said God gave sacred power to the Pope; secular power to the King

Gregory I (590 640 AD) solidifies the position

Originally a monk, able administrator Establishes the Latin Liturgy Establishes Gregorian Chants and the Gregorian Calendar States he is Gods Consul

Early Medieval Roman Catholicism

Organizes the Church along Roman Administrative Lines
Parish (Priest) Dioceses (Bishop) Archdiocese (Arch Bishop) the Church (Pope) Vestments Roman priestly Garments Cathedral The church of Bishop (where his chair is) Pope takes the title Pontifex Maximus

Apostolic Succession
Papal decrees are infallible when sent ex cathedra

The Sacerdotal System

Four: Baptism (infant); confirmation; marriage; extreme unction Three: Communion (the Mass); penance; ordination

Materializes the Liturgy saints, icons, statues, relics Pilgrimages Mariology: The Veneration of Mary; The perpetual virgin; the Mother of God, The Queen of Heaven
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception; The Feast of the Assumption

References
Brown, Colin. Christianity and Western Thought vol. 1 Cairns, Earle E. Christianity Through the Centuries Holmes, George (ed.) The Oxford History of the Middle Ages McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought