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Lecture 10 Western Monasticism

Lecture 10 Western Monasticism. Dr. Ann T. Orlando 24 September 2013. 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

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Lecture 10 Western Monasticism

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  1. Lecture 10 Western Monasticism Dr. Ann T. Orlando 24 September 2013

  2. Introduction • Spiritual progress • Early Monasticism • Irish Monasticism • Benedictines • John Cassian and Pelagianism

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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Monasticism: Egyptian Monasticism Early 4th C • Desert Monks (from Greek for solitary), primarily in Egypt: anchorites withdrawn from society • Most famous: Anthony (251-356), • St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, wrote a very influential life of Anthony, example: Augustine Confessions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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 6th C European Monasteries: Religious and Educational Light in the Western Darkness • Benedictines • Irish Monasticism

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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??!!

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Map of Early Monasteries

  19. 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

  20. Why John Cassian is not a Saint in the West • Answer: The Pelagian Controversy • Cassian, like most 4th, 5th C monks thought Augustine was wrong and Pelagius was correct • The Key Players • Monk Pelagius, from England, d. 419 in Constantinople • His disciple, Julian of Eclanum, bishop in Sicily, d. 454 • Opposing both, Augustine of Hippo, d. 430 • Key Elements • Free will • Sin • Grace • Justification • Predestination • Key Biblical passages in disputed interpretation: Genesis and Romans • Both Pelagius and Augustine write a Commentary on Romans • Key passage: Who hardened Pharaoh’s heart; Romans 9:17-18 and Exodus 4-9

  21. Pelagian Controversy: Issues • Free will • Pelagian: humanity has total free will; as long as we know what is right we can do what is right; • Augustine: yes we have free will, but our ability to know and act is darkened by sin • Augustine also often means by free will a will freed from the inclination to sin • Sin • Pelagians: Adam’s sin was his personal sin; sin is always a willful personal act committed against God by someone who should know better and be able to do better; within our own power to avoid sin • Adam’s sin was a ‘disease’ that entered into humanity; only God’s grace can cure this disease; only with God’s grace can we really know and do the right

  22. Pelagian Controversy: Issues (cont.) • Grace • Pelagians: external enlightenment from God (e.g., Gospels) so we can know the good; also reward for doing good • Augustine: grace is needed to do good • Justification • Pelagians: justified through our good works; it’s all up to us • Augustine: only God’s freely given grace can justify • Predestination • Pelagians: God does not predestine us • Augustine: Because of original sin, all justly condemned (massa damnata); by his graciousness, God elects a few for salvation; Baptism a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for salvation

  23. Most recent example: International Theological Commission Statement on Infant Baptism • Drafted in Spring 2007 • In large measure a response to abortion • Key discussion of history of Pelagian controversy and Augustine (15-20) • Church should speak of hope, not human theological hypothesis such as limbo • Document can be found at http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070419_un-baptised-infants_en.html#_ftnref22 • Work on this continues in order to give full weight to the importance of Baptism

  24. Assignments • Benedict’s Rule, available at http://www.osb.org/rb/text/toc.html#toc • OR • John Cassian, Institutes, • Review Table of Contents, and • Read Book XII, ‘On the Spirit of Pride” available at http://www.osb.org/lectio/cassian/inst/index.html

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