The Early The Early ChristianityChristianity

Mr. ErmerMr. Ermer

World HistoryWorld History

Miami Beach Senior HighMiami Beach Senior High

Church OrganizationChurch Organization The early church was organized The early church was organized

hierarchicallyhierarchically Priests lead local church communities Priests lead local church communities

called parishescalled parishes Parish priests answer to bishop of their Parish priests answer to bishop of their

areaarea Bishop’s area called bishopric or dioceseBishop’s area called bishopric or diocese Bishops usually based in bigger cities, Bishops usually based in bigger cities,

parishes in towns or neighborhoodsparishes in towns or neighborhoods Four Bishops controlled others in their Four Bishops controlled others in their

areasareas Rome, Jerusalem, Antioch, AlexandriaRome, Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria

Structure of the Early Christian Church

Papal PrimacyPapal Primacy

Bishop of Rome becomes most powerful Bishop of Rome becomes most powerful BishopBishop

Importance based on succession from Importance based on succession from Peter the ApostlePeter the Apostle

Bishop of Rome soon called “Pope” or Bishop of Rome soon called “Pope” or PapaPapa

Pope Gregory I solidifies power of Pope Gregory I solidifies power of papacy, converts many Germanic tribes, papacy, converts many Germanic tribes, strengthens Christian influence in Europestrengthens Christian influence in Europe

Pope Gregory the GreatPope Gregory the Great

MonasticismMonasticism

Living the life of a Living the life of a monkmonk, a person who , a person who separates himself from the world to live a separates himself from the world to live a life of total dedication to Godlife of total dedication to God

St. BenedictSt. Benedict establishes basic monastic establishes basic monastic rulesrules

Monasteries=self contained communities, Monasteries=self contained communities, centers of learningcenters of learning

Monks= missionaries (esp. Ireland & Monks= missionaries (esp. Ireland & Britain)Britain)

Women monks= Women monks= nunsnuns

Monastic LifeMonastic Life

Religious OrdersReligious Orders New religious enthusiasm engulfs EuropeNew religious enthusiasm engulfs Europe CistercianCistercian monks, unhappy with lack of monks, unhappy with lack of

discipline, create new, stricter monastic orderdiscipline, create new, stricter monastic order Spend more time preaching to and helping peopleSpend more time preaching to and helping people

Many wealthy women join conventsMany wealthy women join convents Only place for women to get educationOnly place for women to get education

Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi creates Franciscan creates Franciscan monasterymonastery Asks people to return to simplicity of early churchAsks people to return to simplicity of early church

Dominic de GuzmanDominic de Guzman finds Dominican order finds Dominican order To preach againstTo preach against heresy heresy

Francis & DominicFrancis & Dominic

Popular ReligionPopular Religion Sacraments of Church central to people’s Sacraments of Church central to people’s

liveslives Baptism, Communion, Confession, Baptism, Communion, Confession,

Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last RitesRites

Sacraments means for receiving God’s grace Sacraments means for receiving God’s grace and salvation; from life to death, church is and salvation; from life to death, church is most important thingmost important thing

Veneration of saints (men and women to copy)Veneration of saints (men and women to copy) People ask saints to pray for them to GodPeople ask saints to pray for them to God Virgin Mary most highly regarded saintVirgin Mary most highly regarded saint RelicsRelics: remains of saints, or things that belonged : remains of saints, or things that belonged

to saints seen as a link between heaven and Earthto saints seen as a link between heaven and Earth Pilgrimages to holy sites provide spiritual benefitsPilgrimages to holy sites provide spiritual benefits

Medieval ArtMedieval Art

Chapter 2, Lesson 3 Chapter 2, Lesson 3 ReviewReview

On page 33, write and answer On page 33, write and answer question 1-5question 1-5