Chapter 6: Growth in a Crumbling Empire

Spreading the Faith, Bringing Order to ChaosText Pages 103-122

A Picture of Christian Life

In Cp. 5 we saw: Monasticism Church scholarship Role of the papacyAll flourish in spite of a failing empire in

the West.

Life: 450-750

Termed the “Dark Ages”Fall of the Western Empire>476 ADContinuing barbarian raidsMost of what is now Europe was divided

into areas ruled by local kings…often at war with their neighbors.

4 Views into Christian life

1) God as Ruler Life was very difficult Inconsistent food supplies War, disease Short life span…45 WE are not in charge! God is! The devil is a very real presence and power

to the people.

4 views

2) The Mass and Sacraments> WEST>Worship especially Eucharistic worship

was central to Christian life. The form of the Mass was standardized

by the 500’s Said in Latin

4 views

Worship in the East Highly decorated wall panels separated

the altar from the congregation (pg 104) Liturgy of the Word in Front, Liturgy of

the Eucharist behind Sense of mystery Greek, sometimes other languages

could be used.

4 views

3) Veneration of Saints Increasingly important> martyrs Called upon in prayer and in liturgy Honored NOT worshiped A human connection Relics of saints become important People/localities had “favorite Saints”

A note on Veneration Saints have been honored since the early

church First given just to Martyrs Then extended to “confessors”. Those who

suffered for the faith but not to martyrdom To holy men and women in general By 1170 AD Pope Alexander III taught that no

one should be venerated as a saint without the approval of the Church.

Today:only those who have been formally canonized by the pope are permitted to be venerated.

4 views

4) The Clergy Qualifications for the priesthood become

stricter/more standardized Minimum: not have done public penance (why??) Have not served in the army since the time of

their baptism (why??) And not have paid for public pagan games and Not have been a pagan priest

4 views

4) The Clergy continuedNearly a century later the list of

qualifications was expanded to specify that :

No womenNo illiterate personNo proven criminalNo physically deformed

4 views

4) Continued>In those centuries priests were often chosen

by the town’s people or by the ruler of the local castle

Enforcement of qualifications was often weak due to distance, slow communication

Staying unmarried was encouraged but not required

Questions

How was the Mass in the East different from the Mass in the West during the 6th century?

What are some qualifications that began to emerge as required for the clergy?

What qualifications would you make for today’s clergy?

Reflections on pages 106-110you may refer to your text. 1) Describe in writing someone you know who

is tolerant of others even though the others disagree with him or her about important things. What do you think motivates this person to be tolerant? (Chieftains pg 106)

2) Why would masses of people follow their king to baptism? How might this sort of baptism have affected the people’s religious beliefs and practices? (Arianism on the Wane pg 108

The Political scene: West

Invasion! Goths split West into 2 kingdoms>Franks in the North and Goths in the South

Clovis king of the Franks converts> his soldiers and people do too. Rise of Christianity in West.

Church stronger than state> Pope and church offer leadership, order, peacekeeping efforts.

The baptism of Clovis

The Political Scene: East

Justinian rules both Church and State Persecutes Jews and other non-Christians Justinian Code Hagia Sophia Church State is stronger than Church Emperors = “super-bishop” role Emperors dominate Church affairs

Hagia Sophia Interior

Justinian Code

Reform of Civil Law Written in pre-Christian times > did not reflect

Christian values 7 yrs later Justinian Code, in Latin>basis for

European lawFathers could no longer send children into

slavery to pay his debts.Women could own propertyNo easy divorce

After>>>>>

After Justinian the emperors were weak New barbarian invasions beganLike the West before it, the East begins to

decline.

Questions

How were the East and West different politically?

How did Arianism affect Church developments in the East and West?

How was Clovis’s conversion significant for Christianity?

+‘s and-’s of Justinian’s reign

In two columns, one labeled “Dark Ages” and the other labeled “Today”, compare the beliefs people had about God in the Dark Ages with the beliefs many people your age have about God today.

Discuss your opinion of the requirements for the priesthood of the fifth, sixth and seventh centuries. Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class. List a set of 6 requirements you would recommend for the priesthood today.

Describe someone who you know who is tolerant of others even though the others disagree with him or her about important things. What do you think motivates this person to be tolerant?

Why would masses of people follow their king to baptism? How might this sort of baptism have affected the people’s religious beliefs and practices?

Benedict: A Balance of Work and Prayer Law student Sin and crime and confusion everywhere! Seeks God in the countryside Others gather around him Food, Shelter, Clothing ORA ET LABORA A balanced life between prayer and work.

The Monk’s Day

Nocturn-2 AM Rest Lauds- 6 AM Reading / meditation Prime Morning work Terce-9 AM Manual Labor

Sext - before noon Lunch Nap None- 3 PM. Manual Labor Vespers-6PM Reading / meditation Compline - last prayers

of the day

The Day’s Totals

Work = 6 hours Sleep= 8 hours Prayer together=3 hours The balance of the day is spent in

prayer and meditation Head, heart, hands have been used to

praise God. Balance: Ora Et Labora !

Benedict and monks in the refectory

Contributions of Monasticism

1) The monks brought the good news to the barbarians and were responsible for many converts…YOUR ancestors, Perhaps?

2) Monasteries were islands of stability in a tumultuous time. Monks worked from their monasteries to help clear the land and re-establish agriculture after the barbarian invasions.

Contributions continued

3) Monasteries were centers of learning and helped the West weather the storms of the Dark Ages.

4) The monks and nuns provided a spiritual ideal, setting the pace for holiness, piety and reform in the church. Many monks became bishops and many had powerful influence at church councils

5) During the Middles ages monasteries provide refuge for travelers

Pope Gregory the I (The Great)

Lived from 540-604Rome is in shambles people were moving

away> no food , no waterIn spite of being young Gregory was

named prefect of Rome> Governor> Chief of police> Chief justice

All this authority did not bring him happiness

Gregory

When his father died: Resigned and began giving away his money. He turned the family mansion into a monastery and became a monk. He did not want to be abbot.

The pope asked Gregory to go to Constantinople and tell the emperor of Rome’s needs.

Gregory

Returns to Rome Tiber river floods Disease The pope dies and The people of Rome electGregory to be their PopeAt age 50 Gregory becomes the Pope.

Gregory: An AbleLeader

As the bishop of Rome Gregory was responsible for the poor. There was no other welfare agency.

Fed the poor, repaired buildings with profits from church owned farms.

Gregory: Church Educator

Poorly educated clergy, often chosen by local rulers or the residents.

Bishops to open schools for young men wanting to be priests.

They in turn would open schools for children Church schools and monastery schools were

the only sources of education at the time. 900 of Gregory’s letter still exist. Topics: Bible, liturgy, duties of pastors

Liturgical Music

Keeping a written record of music for the liturgy.

One of the ways we learn is by song.Words very important.If the melody changes, the words will

change.This could open the door to singing what

we do NOT believe…

Illuminated music text

Gregory: Diplomat

Missionaries to the various barbarian tribes Alliances and convert rather than resist. This decision eventually led to the conversion

of what is now Europe 40 monks sent to Britain> fearsome tales of

barbarian atrocities.

Gregory: Diplomat

When the monks reach Britain> peaceful greeting by the Anglo-Saxon king Ethelbert.

Ethelbert so impressed with the life of the monks that he converts.

Ethelbert did not force his people to convert. They came voluntarily into the church In 100 years all of Britain will be Christian

Gregory: Conclusion

Far-reaching effectsSolidified the church in a time of calamityEducationDiplomacyMission workEven feeding the poor and building churches

and the walls of Rome.And yet humbly saw himself as “ Servant of the

Servants of God”.

The Rise of Islam

While Gregory was working in the WestThe followers of a prophet named Muhammad

( 570-632) were spreading their new religion.Followers= Muslims Religion = IslamBoth terms refer to “submission to God”

Rise of Islam

Central belief> there is one God, and Allah is his name

Islamic scriptures> Koran> Qur’an Revealed to Muhammad by the angel

Gabriel. Honor Allah by spreading the faith. Did NOT force conversions. But did collect

taxes from infidels> those who refused to convert

Rise of Islam

To avoid taxes many Christians in the East converted to Islam

The sea belongs to the Muslims. Trade cut between East and West 700’s Spain comes under rule of the

Moslems. Moors=Muslims who conquered Spain.

Rise of Islam

Muslims begin to march towards Gaul (France) Defeated in 732 by Charles Martel at the city of

Tours, near Paris. “Martel” means “the hammer” His victories prevented Islam from spreading

over Europe. Medicine, Math, Art, Architecture, even Greek

Philosophy which had been learned by Muslim scholars.

Conclusion and Implications Church and State entanglement will continue

compromising the church and the papacy Benedictine monasteries set the pattern for

reform in Christianity, learning and the arts to flourish and the faith passed on

Church advocates for the poor>”preferential option for the poor”

Qualifications and training for clergy continues to improve the quality of the clergy

Islam changed the religious and political map of the known world.

Test teams

Team 1: Picture of Christian Life: 103-105

Team 2: The political scene,West and East 106-110

Team 3: The Monasteries 111-114+115

Team 4: Gregory the Great 117-120

Team 5: A New Threat 121-122+123

Task: Create 14 questions for

your section.7= T or F7= Multiple ChoiceWritten out in full, in inkDue at the end of class.