Age of the Fathers Quiz Review Flashcards
what factors lead to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West?
- ineffective & corrupt emperors
- waves of barbarian invasions put great economic, social, & political pressures on empire
- growing social & moral decay
- weakened military
- ever-expanding empire that was harder to govern & protect
- growing economic hardships
what changes did the Edict of Milan bring into the lives of Christians in the Roman Empire?
- Christians suddenly able to openly proclaim faith
- worship publicly instead of secret (for fear of retribution)
- Eucharistic celebrations = no longer small gatherings in private homes
- instead, Churches (often modeled after basilicas) were being built & becoming centers for worship where Christians could gather for liturgical celebrations
what years all have to do with the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
410 –> Rome sacked by Visigoths
455 –> city fell
476 –> barbarian chieftain, Odaecer, deposed Romulus Augustus, last emperor of Western Empire
what date is traditionally associated with the fall of the Roman Empire in the West?
476
who filled the void in stabilizing society in the absence of civil govt.?
?
St. Jerome is know for which contribution to the life of the Church?
the Vulgate, the Church’s official translation of the Bible
St. Athanasius is known for which contribution to the life of the Church?
his defense against Arianism - he supported the doctrine of the Council of Nicea
The Nicene Creed is the product of which 2 Ecumenical Councils?
Council of Nicea & Council of Constantinople
what was Arianism?
- heresy developed by Arius, a priest from Alexandria
- claimed Jesus Christ was not fully God & that he was a created being who was greater than humans but subordinate to God
- taught Jesus of Nazareth was not God
- according to Arius, there was a time when Jesus didn’t exist, therefore he was not God
- taught: Jesus is like God (can be followed), but not God (cannot be worshipped)
what was the problem with Montanism?
Christianity would have lain at the mercy of each prophet of every new generation
what kind of person was St. Augustine before his conversion?
was a notorious sinner
- many sordid affairs, fathered child out of wedlock
- later joined duelistic cult, going to opposite extreme
who was responsible for the conversion of St. Augustine?
St. Ambrose of Milan
