Lecture 3 Flashcards
1
Q
The Social Origins of Early Christians
A
- The vast majority of early Christians belonged to the lower social classes
- In the late 2nd, early 3rd more wealthy and influential people became Christians (Perpetua, etc.)
- After Constantine: class distinctions were not as important (in terms of who became a Christian)
2
Q
How did one become a Christian?
A
Through Baptism. 1. In the first few decades of the Church baptism administered on a simply profession of faith
a. In Acts, many were baptized at the moment of conversion
3
Q
Baptism in the Didache
A
- The Didache (2nd)—Gives instructions for baptism
a. Was to be done “in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost”
b. Was to be done in “living” (running, cold) water
c. If not available, then warm water
• If immersion not possible, then water was to be poured on the head 3 times
4
Q
How had baptism changed by the time Tertullian was around?
A
a. The rite was to be administered by a bishop or presbyter, or deacon designated by the bishop, or by a layperson (in the absence of a Church official)
b. The rite was usually given at Easter, or during the 50 days after Easter
c. Candidates prepared by prayer, fasting, all-night vigils, and confession
d. Immediatly before baptism, the candidate renounced the devil and his angels.
e. After the rite, the newly baptized person was given a mixture of milk and honey, and was anointed with oil, then had hands laid upon her/him
f. The rite:
• The candidate is immersed three times, preferably in running water
• Confessions of faith to the Father, Son, HS before each time
• In many cases the initiates were baptized naked: first children, then men, then women
5
Q
When did infant baptism start?
A
Some people, as early as Tertullian and Cyprian: baptized infants (late 2nd and early 3rd century.
a. However, it was not until Augustine, that the doctrine of Adam’s original sin/and the death of infants came to support the practice
6
Q
What is Catechumenate?
A
Those who wished to be baptized, but who needed theological training to qualify
- By the time of Tertullian and Cyprian, the question about the efficacy of baptism administered by a heretic was raised:
a. Tertullian, Cyprian, and churches in Asia Minor and Syria maintained that such baptism was Not valid
b. Churches in Rome and Alexandria maintained that the rite was valid, despite the moral condition of the rite-giver (foreshadow of the Novation and Donatist schisms)
7
Q
What was Christian worship like in the earliest days of the church?
A
A. In the earliest part of the Church, no one single pattern was followed
- However, communion (the Eucharist) was common to all
- Worship was the one point at which Christians of all social classes had a common experience.
8
Q
Components of early Christian worship
A
- They were celebrations—the tone was of joy and gratitude
- After a common meal, bread and wine were prayed over
- By the beginning of the 2nd century, the common meal was being set aside (this may have been in response to the charges of the agape “love feasts”
a. After the 2nd century, Communion began to be called the Eucharist, from the Greek word “to give thanks.”
b. This was a clear indication of the separation of the Eucharist from the agape “love feasts” - Thus services began to center on the Eucharist
- Two of the earliest general descriptions of Christian worship come from Governor Pliny the Younger of Bythina (see the Pliny-Trajan correspondence) and from Justin Martyr.
9
Q
Eucharist in the Didache
A
- The Didache: Instructions intended for Christians: only the baptized share in the Eucharist
a. First the cup is given, then a prayer recited
b. Then comes the broken bread, and a recited prayer
c. After the communicants have been “filled,” another prayer of thanksgiving asking for Christian unity
10
Q
Eucharist according to Justin Martyr
A
intended for Non-Christians (he was an apologist)
a. Immediately after baptism, the new initiate is brought in front of the “brethren” for prayers on behalf of her/him
b. After prayers, Christians salute each other with a kiss
c. The Eucharist:
• To a presiding “brother” was brought the bread and cup with a wine/water mixture (D. DOES NOT MENTION THIS)
• He took them and gave thanks (a free prayer—not a recitation. THE D. HAD A SET PRAYER)
• After “amen” the deacons passed out the bread then the cup to those present, and then delivers them to those who were absent (D. DOESN’T MENTION THIS)
• Justin describes the elements as “the blood and body of Christ”
11
Q
When was the Eucharist administered?
A
The Eucharist was performed every Sunday, in addition to the special ceremonies for the newly baptized (as indicated above).
- Preceding the Eucharist on Sundays was preceded by scripture reading (or other documents, like the Shepherd of Hermas)
- A time of exhortation (sermon)
- After, all rose together and prayed, and then the Eucharist began
12
Q
Fragmentum
A
pieces of bread sent from the Bishop’s communion service to other, smaller churches in the area
13
Q
From at least the 2nd century, we see that there were two very general parts of a communion service:
A
- The Reading of scripture and the commentaries upon them with prayers and hymn singing.
- Then, those who were not baptized were dismissed with a prayer and blessing, and then Communion was served, beginning with the Kiss of Peace.
14
Q
Where did Christians meet?
A
- From the earliest times, the Christians met in catacombs (tombs of the faithful)
a. “The Church of the Catacombs”. - More frequently than the catacombs though, Christians often met in private homes.
a. The oldest Christian Church: Dura Europas, c. 256
15
Q
What did the Christian Weekly Calendar look like?
A
- At the beginning it was rather simple, and was basically a weekly calendar
- Every Sunday was a sort of Easter celebration and a day of joy
- Early on, Wednesdays became a day of fasting
16
Q
How did Christians pray?
A
- The custom of facing east
- Standing with arms outstretched or upraised
- Lying prone, or face down
- Tertullian:
a. Was disgusted by those who sat down after prayer
b. Declared that fasting or kneeling in worship on the Lord’s Day and between Easter and Pentecost was improper
17
Q
True or False? Choirs became more prevalent after Constantine
A
True
18
Q
Who possessed 150 hymns in Syriac?
A
Thus Bardaison (2nd)—he was condemned as a heretic
19
Q
True or False: Hymns sung in unison were used in battle
A
True. the Arians against John Chrysostom
20
Q
Famous works of devotion
A
Works of devotion: Confessions, by Augustine (early 5th)
De Vita contemplative by Julianus Pomerius (5th)—he used Augustine as his model
21
Q
What was the Cult of the Martyrs?
A
- The Cult of the Martyrs:
a. To celebrate martyrs: Cult of Martyrs, of which Augustine’s mother was a part
• The practice of the veneration of the relics of the martyrs began in the 2nd
b. This cult grew very quickly, especially in the 4th and 5th centuries when persecution had been gone for a while
• Tombs of martyrs became destinations for pilgrimages
• Some tombs were raided for bones—Ambrose of Milan excavated some sites
22
Q
The Cult of Mary
A
a. Popularity of Mary, leading to worship of her increased in the 4th and 5th centuries
b. Was called “Mother of God” (theotokos) after the Council of Constantinople (in order to reconfirm the deity of Jesus)
23
Q
theotokos
A
Mary, “Mother of God”
24
Q
- Later churches (4th and on) distinguished between clergy and parishioners by specialized clerical dress. For example:
A
a. Pallium: a type of scarf, made from white wool, draped over the shoulders, and worn by bishops in the west
b. Orarium: a type of handkerchief or neck cloth worn by bishops in the east
25
How did Ignatius of Antioch suggest the church should be governed? And why?
1. Ignatius of Antioch: suggested a form of Church hierarchy—the bishop
a. Installing local bishops would be the focus of unity
b. The sacraments could only be administered by the bishop
c. The bishop would be “God’s representative on earth”
HE WROTE ALL OF THIS ON HIS WAY TO BEING MARTYRED, SO DON'T FORGET THAT. HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT UNITY.
26
What do the letter of Clement of Rome to the Corinthian church tell us about bishops and church leadership?
b. Clement, bishop of Rome, wrote his letter to the Corinthians (CE 96) in opposition to the rebellion. The letter suggested the following idea (in general):
• It requested that the Corinthians honor the sacred status of the clergy because they stand in due succession to the Apostles
• The term “Apostolic Succession” became an important part of Church order
• This became a standard weapon against the Gnostic threat, because Church bishops could guarantee the teaching of orthodoxy
• The importance of this line of thought:
o Church goers could now assume that the truth could be found both in the Bible and in the words of the local Church bishop
o It served as a tool in the Apologists’ fight against the Gnostic (for example, the work of Irenaeus of Lyons)—the various Gnostic groups disagreed with each other, but the same, standard message could be found from bishop to bishop
27
What church offices are indicated in the Didache?
a. Bishops or presbyters—this office celebrates the Eucharist
b. Deacons—this office assists in the Eucharist
28
When did bishops come about? What is a bishop?
Bishops as authorities came about during the age when apostolic authority was going or gone.
* Remained first among equals—addressed other presbyters as “fellow presbyters”
* Inherited the role of “Apostle” and “Prophet”
* They ordained presbyters
* After Christian emperors became the norm (post-Constantine) bishops often held imperial positions over cities—this led to widespread abuse
29
What is a presbyter?
Presbyter—or elder
a. Had the authority to celebrate the Eucharist
b. Inherited the role of “teacher”
c. Joined the bishop in ordaining presbyters
d. Before the 3rd century, presbyters consecrated new bishops, by the 3rd, visiting bishops consecrated other bishops—the choice of candidacy rested with the whole congregation
30
What is a deacon?
a. It was not necessarily a probationary order for the presbyteriate (office of elders)
b. It was a lifelong role unless the deacon happened to be made bishop
c. The existence of “Arch-deacons”
• A Senior deacon with large financial and administrative responsibility
• These usually went on to become bishops
d. Charitable functions (food to the poor, etc.) were often shared with deaconesses, who normally had special responsibilities to women
e. Hippolytus, in his work, Apostolic Tradition (200-220), describes the “assistant” status of deacons to presbyters: presbyters assist bishops in the laying on of hands for all candidates for the presbyteriate, but only the bishop lays hands on deacons.
31
What Four factors that led to the rise of bishops over presbyters?
* The senior presbyter obtained the power through experience, and thus became he bishop
* Correspondence between churches were usually carried out between the presiding presbyter-bishops
* During ordinations, the lead presbyters of other churches served as representatives at the ordination
* The crisis of the Gnostic heresies necessitated a single individual as the focus of unity for the area/community (ie. The Bishop of Rome, or the Bishop of Antioch, etc.)
32
What role did women play in church leadership?
The role of women: By the end of the 2nd, the official leadership (BISHOPS) of the Church was entirely masculine. There were women presbyters. And, don’t forget that they were in a patriarchial culture.
33
From the middle of the 2nd onwards, there had been a strong reaction towards standardization in faith and order due to:
a. Differences in dogmatic formulation
b. Matters of liturgical practice (such as the observation of Easter)
c. Varied acceptance of different texts of scripture
d. Variety of church order as a result of varied missionary activity (at times missionaries undertook roles without any type of permission from an authoritative body)—the area bishops, then, needed to bring these churches into fellowship with the federation of churches
34
Concepts upon which churches began to agree:
a. Since the church is one, then its beliefs and practices must be one
b. The three-tiered system of: One bishop in one city, with presbyters and deacons, came about in the 2nd century without controversy.
35
The bishops of what three cities were given special honor?
(Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch)
a. These bishops eventually possessed jurisdiction beyond their immediate city and area limits
b. The bishop of Rome eventually claimed the top position—which gave rise to the papacy in Rome.
36
By the end of the 2nd century, the church in Rome had more power than the rest of the churches. Why?
1. The church (or churches) in Rome were in the capital
2. The church seems to have been vigorous before Paul reached there—it was important enough for him to have sent a letter specifically to it: one of the most doctrinally significant of his letters!
3. Clement of Rome’s letter to Corinth indicates a sense of responsibility for other churches
4. Irenaeus:
a. Indicated that every church should be in agreement with the church in Rome
b. Used the church in Rome as an example of Apostolic succession
5. Cyprian called the Bishop of Rome the “First among equals.”
6. The Easter Controversy of the late 2nd—Bishop Victor of Rome wielded influence over other churches by threatened expulsion from the fellowship
7. During the Council of Sardica (343)—wherein Arianism was being discussed—the council decided that if any bishop were deposed, he could appeal his case to the Bishop of Rome
37
Give examples of early Christian art:
A. Frescos: Christian wall paintings, in catacombs
B. Sarcophagi: paintings on stone coffins—very important for historians
C. Popular Symbols:
1. The fish, ICHTHYS—an acrostic meaning, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”
a. The word “fish” appears in different writings
2. Roman (Latin) acrostic from as early as 79, (A Pater Noster O) which means, “Alpha, Our Father, Omega”
38
Influential Documents of Martyrdom
Martyrdom of Polycarp (156)
Acts of Justin and his Companions (165)
Acts of Saints Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonice (165)
The Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons
• Ranks as one of the most important documents of martyrdom of the 2nd century (along with the Martyrdom of Polycarp)
The Acts of the Martyrs of Scilli
The Acts of Apollonius
The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas (203)—is unique in several aspects
• One of the most vivid accounts of martyrdom
39
The Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons
• The document is important because:
o It is a first-hand account of the rage of the populace resulting in brutal conditions for Christians
o It shows the large number of Roman citizens either begin beheaded, or killed by wild animals in the arena.
o The letter gives vivid personal impressions of some of the martyrs, especially of the young heroine of faith, Blandina who suffered particularly cruel and excruciating tortures.
40
Who was Perpetua?
o Perpetua was a wealthy Christian woman who was martyred with her slave, Felicitas and three others. PERPETUA BECAME A PASTOR TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE JAILED WITH HER.
41
How was martyrdom described?
The theology of martyrdom was elaborated early one by the following descriptions/metaphors: Witness, Athletes and Heroes, Grace, Sharing in the suffering of Jesus, Eucharist, Holy Spirit, Eschatology, and Baptism
Beliefs (held by some at the time) about martyrdom:
• It granted immediate admission to paradise
• It conferred a victor’s crown
42
What did Marcus Aurelius say about martyrdom?
The pagan Emperor Marcus Aurelius said that suicide must be done in “good style,” not “like the Christians, in a spirit of theatricality.”
43
What was persecution like under Decius?
1. Significance of “A Roman of the ‘old order’”: his desire was to return Rome to its old glory
3. Decius believed that this happened because people had abandoned their Gods—so he attempted to force everyone to accept a restored ancient religion.
b. This was an empire-wide campaign for the restoration of ancestral religion—for Rome’s survival
c. Decius’ plan was to create apostates not martyrs: The Romans did not kill right away, but threatened, tortured, and maimed in order to force Christians to recant
44
Libellum
certificates given to those who attested to burning incense to the ancient gods (even when they had not)
a. Some Christians recanted right away
b. Some signed the document, when they had not worshipped
c. Some refused to recant, for a while, but then gave in
45
Confessor
One who had not recanted; a badge of honor—as opposed to those who carried the libellum
46
Cyprian and Novatian and the question of the Lapsed
In the first quarter of the 3rd century, Callistus, the Bishop of Rome seems to have said that no sin is unforgivable as long as there is genuine contrition.
Thus, after the Decian persecution, the question of the Church was: “What to do with the lapsed?”
Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage (Early 3rd –258). • Became a Christian around 40 years old
• Became bishop of Carthage before the Decian persecution
• During the persecution he fled and hid
• Was derided as a coward—the church in Rome had lost their bishop to death
• He was eventually martyred
b. He called a Synod (a gathering of area bishops) in Carthage to discuss the fate of the Lapsed. The decision:
• Those who had sacrificed would be admitted to the Church on their deathbeds
• Those who had purchased Libellum(s), but who did not sacrifice were admitted immediately
• Those who sacrificed and showed no remorse, were not readmitted
Novatian (c.200-258)
a. A scholar, priest, and bishop hopeful
b. Clashed with the Bishop of Rome (Cornelius) because he insisted that no one should be readmitted
c. He formed his own church, and was chosen bishop by opponents of Cornelius
d. He re-baptized those who joined him from the Catholic Church
a. HE’S SAYING, YOU SINNED, YOU NEED TO GET REBAPTIZED TO BE ADMITTED BACK IN THE CHURCH.
e. The movement spread and eventually coalesced with the Montanists
f. This became known as the Novatian Schism
g. The Novatian churches persisted for several generations
• The churches were discovered and banned in Rome
• But were still permitted in Constantinople
47
What was the significance of what Cyprian had done?
Cyprian’s significance:
• Set the precedence for the importance of church unity and membership as a means of continued salvation
• Cyprian said, “outside the church, there is no salvation” and “No one can have God without his father without the Church as his Mother.” WHAT CYPRIAN WAS TRYING TO GET AT WAS THAT PEOPLE COULD REPENT AND BE FORGIVEN. BUT NOVATIAN HAD NONE OF IT.
48
Who reorganized the empire, and how did he do it?
Under Diocletian (284-305) the empire was so large, that he decided the divide the empire into 4 regions, ruled by 2 Augusti and assisted by 2 Casesars:
49
Who were the four leaders chosen by Diocletian?
* Diocletian and Maximian became the Augusti (taking the names Jupiter and Hercules)
* Galerius and Constantius Chlorus (Constantine’s father) were named Caesars with primarily administrative duties
50
How did persecution of Christians begin under Diocletian?
Galerius was commander of the Army who took offence at Christians who refused to join. He took even greater offense at Christians who did join the army, but did not participate in pagan rituals. He convinced emperor Diocletian to expel all Christians from the army.
Diocletian (284-305)
1. Became convinced that Christians were conspiring against him
2. He unleashed the worst persecution to date (through Galerian’s influence) in 303
3. After the Decian persecution, Christians had enjoyed a long time of peace, so the persecution seemed very harsh
4. Christians were hunted and tortured with refined cruelty
a. Four specific edicts were issued:
• Christian buildings were to be levelled, Scriptures burned; Anyone appearing in court had to sacrifice to the Gods, and since Christians did not engage in the practice, the judicial system did not help them
• Governors were ordered to arrest and imprison bishops
• Bishops were only released when they sacrificed
• Sacrifice to gods was made obligatory on everyone
51
Who became the leaders when Diocletian retired?
Galerius and Constantius Chlorus became the new Augusti and the new Ceasars were Severus (Italy) and Maximius Daia in Oriens (East).
52
Who became Augusti when Constantius Chlorus died?
Constantius Chlorus had been mild in persecution—when he died, his son (who was popular with the army) was elected Augustus by the troops. NOTE: he was ELECTED.
53
What happens when Diocletian died?
All hell breaks lose, but Constantine wins.
54
What did Constantine see that led him to put the cross on his shields?
* In 312, as his troops were camped north of the Tiber River and according to Eusebius, Constantine had a “religious experience” in which he was admonished to adopt the Christian Chi-Rho symbol onto the shields of his troops
* According to Eusebius, the sign appeared bright in the sky and was confirmed by the appearance of Jesus in Constantine’s dream the following night
* Despite the veracity of the events, Constantine was clearly conscious of a divine mission and the promise of divine help
55
What is the Edict of Milan (313)?
It extended the freedom of religion to all.
56
labarum
Legend’s state that Licinius feared the “magical power” of the labarum: the chi/rho symbol on the shields.
• Licinius demanded that his soldiers not look at the shields
• This probably demoralized his troops—and Constantine won the Battle of Adrianople in 324
57
What schisms came about because of the Decian and Diocletian persecutions?
The Novatian schism after the Decian persecution, and the Donatists schism under Diocletian's persecution.
58
What is a Traditores?
Traditores: Those who had recanted and/or who had turned in their scriptures to be burned during the Diocletian persecution.
59
Who were confessors?
However, many remained firm: they were called Confessors (same as during the Novation Schism)
60
What led to the Donatist schism?
At the end of the Diocletian persecution, the bishopric of Carthage came open:
a. Caecilian:
• Was in line to be bishop of Carthage after the end of persecution
• The rigorist parties thought of him as a traditore because he had delivered scriptures to the authorities
• However, the rigorist party elected Majorinus
b. Majorinus:
• Became bishop but died shortly after
• The rigorist party then named Donatus of Casase Nigrae as bishop
c. The Church’s reaction to the election of Majorinus:
• The rest of the bishops in Rome did not agree with the rigorist party and elected Caecilian as bishop of Cartage
• Constantine supported Caecilian in order to maintain peace
So it sounds like the Roman church did not want Majorinus, who was a rigorist, to be bishop of Carthage. They wanted Caecilian. But the rigorist didn’t, because they thought he was a heretic for having turned scriptures over during the persecution. Wow.
d. Donatus and his followers then formed their own church: the Donatist Church
• Was a rival church to the Catholic Church—another example of schism
• This caused problems because Constantine’s tax breaks to the clergy only applied to Caecilian and his bishopric, not to Donatus and his rival group
61
Causes of the Donatist schism:
Causes of the Donatist Schism:
a. According to Donatus, one of the bishops who had consecrated Caecilian was a traditore, and thus the consecration was not valid.
b. Caecilian responded that the bishop was not a traditore, but even if he was, the act of consecration was not in itself invalid
c. The Donatists declared any consecration or administering of the sacraments by traditores were invalid, thus making any bishop that had been consecrated invalid as a bishop
d. If anyone in Caecilian’s party (Catholic) wanted to join the Donatists, they had to be re-baptized
• Donatists: since the church was the bride of Christ, the sacraments and baptism had to be pure
• Caecilian: baptism was valid regardless of who administered it
62
Who were Donatist Circumcellions?
They were Donatist peasants (mostly youth) who terrorized Catholics. The Donatists did not approve of the Circumcellions for the most part, but did call on them when they needed troops. The Romans had no choice but to use force to quell them. By the time Augustine became bishop of Hippo, half of the churches in North Africa were Donatist Churches. Because of the Donatist schism and the need for Roman force to quell them, Augustine developed his Just War theory (IMPORTANT)
63
How were the Donatists finally defeated?
Conference of Carthage of 411
64
How would you describe Constantine's rule?
His rule can be characterized as espousing both tolerance for Christianity and Paganism, and living and rule with great opulence
a. He is a major figure in the Council of Nicea despite not having theological training—his involvement shows that he was a good politician
b. Some say that his “marriage” of church and state destroyed the church forever
c. Others say that his reforms helped the church
2. He was not ideal ruler:
a. He loved luxury: he built an ornate palace in his capital city (Trier)
b. Due to this, he neglected the public works—the fields and vineyards failed to drain and flooded
3. He was an excellent commander and strategist:
a. Secured the borders against the barbarians
b. He knew how to tax his subjects just enough, so as not to cause a rebellion
c. His fight against Licinius was an example of excellent strategy
4. He was a good diplomat:
a. He put on many extravagant shows in Gaul in order to gain the support of the populace against the barbarian armies
65
“Donation of Constantine"
a medieval (8th) forged document ascribed to Constantine:
a. Gave power to the “pope,” Sylvester I, the Bishop of Rome (314-335) and every other Pope after him
b. Bequeathed vast land holdings, and legal power over all other clergy and smaller bishoprics in the Empire
c. Although the document is false, there is some truth to it—which furthers the opinion of some that Constantine forever corrupted the Church
66
Who is the 13th Apostle?
Constantine. He is venerated as a saint by the Eastern (Orthodox) Church and is called the “13th Apostle.”
67
Where did Constantine move the Roman capital? And why this location?
The capital moved from Rome to a new city in Byzantium: Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).
During various battles, he became aware of the value of Byzantium because:
• It would be ideal to protect the empire from Eastern invasions
• It would also be ideal to protect the West from the German threat
68
What incentives were people given to move to Byzantium?
Populating the city: people were given incentives to move here
o Exemption from taxes
o Exemption from military service
o Free oil, wheat, and wine
69
Byzantine Empire
The Eastern Roman empire was now called the Byzantine Empire
70
Who might have Constantine thought he was worshipping?
Constantine’s father had worshiped The Unconquered Sun.
o Constantine seems to have thought that the unconquered Sun and the Christian God were compatible: two views of the same deity
71
When Constantine was emperor, everyone started worshipping Jesus. True or False?
False.
Constantine did not institute Christianity as the official religion (DON'T FORGET THIS).
Roman Aristocracy and the rural masses had still NOT forgotten the Pagan gods.
• Many Roman soldiers still worshiped Mithras
• The Ancient centers of Pagan learning—the Academy of Athens and the Museum of Alexandria—were still devoted to the study of ancient pagan wisdom.
72
How did Constantine proceed in making life easier for Christians?
a. First, he put an end to persecution
b. Then, he donated government funds to churches—such as the Church of the Lateran Palace in Rome
c. Third, he placed Imperial posts at the services of bishops traveling to attend the Synod of Arles in 314—the synod against the Donatists
73
What did Constantine do that began the process of Christening the empire?
Constantine took the title of “Supreme Pontiff,” or “High Priest
On coins as late as 320: one finds the names and symbols of ancient gods, AND the monogram for the name of Christ (Chi-Rho)
Constantine’s victory against Licinius had caused him to appear as the Champion of Christianity—so he felt further inclined to the favor the Christians
Constantine raided pagan temples for precious objects to be placed in Constantinople.
New and grand Christian Basilicas were built
In 324, an imperial edict ordered all soldiers to worship the Supreme God on the first day of the week. The same day of the week that Christians gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. This was also the day of the Unconquered Sun, so the pagans did not oppose the edict.
74
Who ruled after Constantine?
His son, Constantius, an Arian heretic.
75
What happened to Constantius?
He was killed in a coup by Julian the Apostate, a nephew of Constantine. He persecuted Christians.
76
When, and under whose reign was paganism outlawed?
Under the co-leadership Gratian and Theodosius.
a. In 382, Gratian stopped all government support for paganism and its priests
b. Gratian ordered the removal of the altar to the goddess Victory from the Senate
c. In 391, Theodosius outlawed pagan sacrifices and ordered the temples closed, or repurposed them for public use
d. In 392, all pagan worship, private and public, was outlawed (this was the AGE OF THEODOSIUS, he completely outlawed paganism).
77
The Council of Elvira in Spain in 305
The Council of Elvira in Spain in 305: decreed that any Christian killed while engaging in violence against pagans, would not be counted as martyrs
78
What were the impacts of Constantine's reforms?
1. The cessation of persecution
2. Imperial edicts that favored Christianity:
3. For the Laity, conversion was no longer illegal, and the experience of conversion became less dramatic or fateful than it had been earlier.
4. Many people flocked to the church in huge numbers
5. Christian Worship changed
7. After Constantine, Christian worship began to be influenced by imperial protocol
79
Give examples of edicts that favored Christianity:
a. Bequeathing of property to the Church
• The Church eventually came to own vast tracts of land
• The Church acquired vast monetary wealth
b. Clergy-specific tax-exemption for about 1800 bishops (the number at the time)
• Taxes
• Military conscription
• Forced public works labor
c. Bishops were granted access to imperial posts
• Decreed at the Synod of Arles, 314
• Confirmed at the Council of Nicea, 325
d. Imperial edicts and privileges given to Church bishops sometimes led to arrogance and abuse:
• Historian Theodoret refers to a certain Lucius who purchased his position as Bishop of Alexandria, a practice called Simony
• As bishops came to power, bribes were offered and often accepted
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What impact did Constantine's edicts have on Christian laity?
a. Increasing syncretism and superstition
b. Belief in ancient magic practices to cure illness
c. Christians began to attend the Roman gladiator games (unlike before)
d. Christians also began attending plays that they had once refused to attend
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What happened when large numbers of people started going to church?
a. There was little time to prepare people for baptism:
• The Catechumenate was shortened—which led to ignorance
b. Long term training and discipleship was also shortened
c. Many of these people, without the required training, brought superstitions and syncretistic practices with them
d. In response, many church leaders attempted to stop rumors and superstitions:
• A common theme of preaching was that it was not necessary to go the Holy Land in order to be a good Christian
• Respect for the martyrs should not be exaggerated
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How did the "church service" change after Constantine?
a. The use of Incense: a sign of respect to the emperor
b. Officiating Ministers:
• Had worn everyday clothes, but now wore luxurious garments
• Were now called “priests”
o The same nomenclature as pagan religious leaders
c. The Communion Table:
• Was now called “the Altar” in direct opposition to the instructions found in the Didache.
d. Gestures indicating respect for the emperor; For example, prayer:
• Christians had stood for prayer, as Christians approached the throne of the Most High
• Now, worshippers knelt in prayer, as petitioners usually knelt before the emperor
e. Choirs: processionals before the opening of worship
f. Eventually, the congregation had a less active role in worship
83
What does basilica mean?
Ancient word that means a large public or private building
A great room divided length-wise into naves (areas divided by columns)
84
Describe the three parts of a basilica
Atrium:
o The entry way; a rectangular area surrounded by walls
o In the middle was a fountain where the faithful performed ablutions: ritual washing, before entering the main area
Narthex: the side of the building with doors leading the Naves
Naves: the main area of the Basilica
o A higher, more ornate roof
o Sets of columns dividing the room into Naves, reserved for different groups of people
o The Sanctuary was at the end of the Nave
o Towards the end of the main Nave, a fenced-in section for the Choir
o The back wall of the main Nave was semi-circular with benches for officiating minister
o “Cathedra”: the chair for the bishop—we get the word Cathedral
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pantokrator
Christ seated in glory as the ruler of the universe
| o Known as pantokrator (“ruler of the universe”)
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What was the most important church building?
baptistry
