History 2401E Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Christian Monasticism, John Cassian, Evangelical Counsels

• School: Western University
• Department: History
• Course: History 2401E
• Professor: Craig Simpson

Document Summary

Significan(cid:272)e of christia(cid:374) (cid:373)o(cid:374)asti(cid:272)is(cid:373) to its so(cid:272)iet(cid:455)"s de(cid:448)elop(cid:373)e(cid:374)t: the causes underlying the emergence of christian monasticism, began as response to persecution of the christians (jerome, criti(cid:272)is(cid:373) of (cid:373)ore (cid:862)la(cid:454)(cid:863) i(cid:374)stitutio(cid:374)alized (cid:272)hur(cid:272)h, following the example of christ. Jerome a monk himself, lived from 331 to 420, claims it began as a result of persecution under the roman empire. Christians fleeing to the desert for safety, around 2nd and 3rd century (he (cid:449)as(cid:374)"t there hi(cid:373)self(cid:895). Historians argue that church became institutionalized towards the tail end of roman empire in order for it to be more accessible, it became lax in the eyes of the more spiritual. Spiritual sought to separate themselves and live a totally religious life. Monks said they simply followed example of christ sell everything, give to poor, serve humanity. Christ: devoted to god through prayer and contemplation of the bible, time in the desert (cid:1007). (cid:862)ere(cid:373)eti(cid:272)al(cid:863) (cid:894)her(cid:373)it(cid:895) mo(cid:374)asti(cid:272)is(cid:373: desert fathers and mothers (anchorites) founder (?)