Lecture 10 Western Monasticism
Dr. Ann T. Orlando1 October 2015
Introduction Spiritual progress Early Monasticism Irish Monasticism Benedictines John Cassian and Pelagianism
The Idea of Spiritual Progress Emphasis on how to follow the Way of Jesus Development of approaches to spirituality
Biblically based, usually with a highly allegorical interpretation
Intended to be accessible to everyone, Frequently the basis for Patristic homilies
Well defined steps in approach to spiritual life Pilgrimages Monasticism
Pilgrimages A way to become closer to Jesus and the martyrs
Started with remembrance of acts of martyrs and celebrations at their burial places
After Constantine, more far reaching People who could not give up their life to enter monastery Needed some special way to demonstrate their faith Also way to atone for sins Starts with Helena, Constantine’s mother, in Jerusalem
Remember, 5th C pilgrimage nothing like 21st C pilgrimage Dangerous: very high probability of death Expensive Very arduous and tedious (lasting year or more)
Most famous early record of pilgrimages by Egeria, 4th C woman
Born in Spain or France Spent 3 years on pilgrimage Her journal gives earliest description of liturgies in Jerusalem
during Holy Week
Development of Christian Monasticism: Egyptian Monasticism Early 4th C
Desert Monks (from Greek for solitary), primarily in Egypt: anchorites withdrawn from society
Most famous: Anthony (251-356), St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria,
wrote a very influential life of Anthony, example: Augustine Confessions , Book VIII
Communal monasticism Many attracted to this way of life, come
together in groups Rule of St. Pachomius (286 – 346) Pachomius’ sister, Mary, established an
Egyptian monastery for women with their own Rule
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Later 4th C Monastic Developments Three Cappadocians: Basil, Gregory of Nyssa,
Gregory Nazianzan Basil’s Rule for Monks But the smartest, most spiritual one, “The Teacher”,
was Macrina (sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa) established a convent in her home
Augustine organizes his clergy in Hippo as in a monastery, writes a Rule, late 4th C
Early 5th C Western Monastic Developments: John Cassian (360-435) Born in France, spent time as an
anchorite in Egypt Brought Pachomius’ Rule back with him Made it available in West in his Divine
Institutes and Conferences Wrote against Augustine in the Pelagian
controversy Revered as a saint in the East, but not the
West (except at St. Victor Monastery in Marseilles)
What’s a Rule Prescribes the way of life for the community Includes what prayers are said when Defines balance between work, study, prayer Community organization (abbot, monks,
novices) and how leaders are selected Process for acceptance into community How new communities are created Relation between community and diocese
6th C European Monasteries: Religious and Educational Light in the Western Darkness
Benedictines Irish Monasticism
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Roman-English Frontier and Early English Christianity Julius Caesar first to send expedition to England in
55 BC Roman influence in southern Britain, not in
Scotland; Hadrian’s Wall built 122 AD Recall that Constantine the Great was born in
England Roman troops brought Christianity with them in 4th
C Native English (Picts, Angles, Scots) population
never converted After Fall of Rome in 410, Roman troops leave
England
Development of Early Irish Christianity Pelagius was an English monk In fact, most of English hierarchy supported
Pelagius Pope Celestine (same pope who sided with
Cyril over Nestorius) in 430 sent a new bishop to England and one to Ireland, Palladius Palladius is from Gaul Charged with destroying Pelagianism in England
and proselytizing Ireland Palladius’ mission was not successful
St. Patrick (387-493) Born on Roman-Scottish frontier to prominent Gallic
‘French’ Roman family Captured by Irish marauders in 406; spends 6 years as
a slave in Ireland During this time he has a conversion experience
Escapes and returns to family in England Goes to Gaul for training in priesthood
Monastery of St. Lerins Noted for study of Augustine
Returns to England as part of group headed by St. Germain sent by Pope Celestine after Palladius
Patrick begs to be sent as a missionary to Ireland in 433
Has difficulty with Pelagian bishops in England Established many Christian communities in Ireland,
monasteries and convents St. Brigit Latin as school language in Ireland
Wrote numerous prayers, letters, Confession Died 493
Irish Christianity Bishops in Ireland and England did not become civil administrators after
Romans Never were Roman administrators in Ireland Native pagan tribes took over in England; Romans in England were occupiers,
not colonizers English (Pelagian) Christianity seems to have disappeared with Roman
authorities during the 5th C Ireland not affected by barbarian invasions until Vikings in 800 Irish communities developed around monasteries with bishop/abbot as
leader: Iona is center of learning Developed Christian customs for 150 years nearly completely isolated
from Rome Different calculation for Easter Discipline (penance, private confession) Organization: abbots rather than bishops
Strong missionary spirit, founded most important Irish monastery at Iona in Scotland led by St. Columba in 563
Monks from Iona evangelize Europe from 7th through the 8th C In later 6th and early 7th C: St. Columbanus heads a mission to Italy??!!
St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547)
Deeply influenced by Pachomius via John Cassian
Lived during the attempted reconquest of Western Roman Empire by Justinian the Great
Established an order of Monks, now known as Benedictines, governed by his Rule
Founded a monastery outside of Rome, Monte Casino
Sister, Scholastica, founded an order of nuns to follow the Rule
Most popular religious order in West until 13th C (Dominicans and Franciscans)
Benedict’s Rule Note that God brings good works to
perfection, not our efforts Focus on Scripture, especially Psalms A school for the Lord’s service Jacob’s ladder and steps of humility leading
to perfect love of God Rules for abbot; how abbot is chosen Other positions in monastery Cycle of work and prayer Discipline Reception of guests
Late 6th and 7th Century Parallel Missionary Activities in Western Europe Parallel, independent missionary activities from Rome going
Northwest and Ireland (Iona) going Southeast Irish monks in 6th and 7th Century go to France, Germany, Holland to
preach Christianity; follow Rhine to Southern Germany then across Alps into northern Italy
St. Columban(us) travels extensively through Europe establishing Irish style monasteries, including one in Bobbio, Northern Italy (d. 615)
His biography is written by a monk in Irish monastery in northern Italy Meanwhile, missionaries from Rome are also trying to convert Arian
and Pagan Germanic tribes in what is now France Conversion of Chlodwech (Clovis) 496 Pope St. Gregory the Great sends Augustine to England 597
Pope Honorius I (625), a Benedictine, grants Monastery at Bobbio exemption from oversight by local bishop
Irish refer to Pope as the Abbot of Rome Differences between Irish and Roman Churches resolved at Synod of
Whitby, 664, in favor or Roman customs
Map of Early Monasteries
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European Debt Owed to Monasteries Both Irish and Western Mediterranean monasteries
preserved literacy for Europe Copying Scripture key work of monks Preserving works of Fathers important tasks Preserving Latin and Greek philosophy Replaced schools as places of learning
Missionary zeal flowed out from monasteries ‘Democratic’ institutions Preserved and developed art Oasis from turmoil of political and social disruption (dark
ages) associated with fall of Roman Empire in West During this lecture, a new force in the world: Islam
The Pope Who Brought the Two Monastic Movements Together: Pope St. Gregory the Great
Pope St. Gregory Great (546-604) Benedictine Wrote a life of Benedict
Reformed Roman clergy around monastic model
Reformed the liturgy and Church music
Encouraged Irish monks, St. Columbanus, to found monasteries in northern Italy
Earliest extant life of Gregory written by an English nun, 8th C
Feast Day is September 3
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Important Liturgical Contributions of Pope St. Gregory the Great Standardized and promulgated Latin
liturgy Standardized sacramentary used throughout
the Middle Ages Set Ash Wednesday for beginning of
Lent Encouraged singing of hymns and songs ‘Gregorian’ chant named in honor of him
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Assignments Benedict’s Rule, available at
http://www.osb.org/rb/text/toc.html#toc
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