Definitions

Question 1

Pax Romana

Answer 1

a Latin phrase referring to the ‘Roman Peace’ that prevailed in the empire during the first two centuries AD. Historians usually date this period from the imperial rule of Augustus (27 BC) to Marcus Aurelius (180 AD)

Question 2

Monk and Nun

Answer 2

a member of a monastic community who takes strict vows as part of his commitment to that community. The term ‘monk’ literally refers to ‘one who lives alone’

Question 3

Monastic rule

Answer 3

a set of protocols and regulations governing daily life and organisation of a monastry/abbey

Question 4

Divine office

Answer 4

the cycle of daily communal devotions in monastic communities, divided into ‘hours’, from early morning until evening

Question 5

Chi-Ro

Answer 5

a stylised representation of the first two letters of the name of Christ in greek. Superimposed on each other, these two letters formed the basis of a shield insignia and military banner for Constantine’s army

Question 6

Baptism

Answer 6

a ritual washing either by sprinkling, pouring or immersion in water that signifies a formal initiation into the Christian church community

Question 7

Ecumenical Council

Answer 7

a meeting of bishops of the entire church community, summoned to discuss matters of church doctrine and practice

Question 8

Monotheism

Answer 8

belief in and worship of one god

Question 9

Polytheism

Answer 9

belief in and worship of many gods

Question 10

Nicene Creed

Answer 10

formal doctrinal statement issued by the Council of Nicae in 325 AD, focusing on the divine nature of Christ as the Son of God

Question 11

Apostolic Succession

Answer 11

the claim that all popess had a direct line of spiritual authority going right back to the Apostle Peter

Question 12

Temporal authority

Answer 12

political power affecting all matters of the world

Question 13

Simony

Answer 13

the practice of buying spiritual or priestly roles in the church

Question 14

Excommunication

Answer 14

the ultimate spiritual penalty imposed by a Pope, so that the person is denied all access to the spiritual benefits of the church. It was tantamount to be condemned to eternal punishment since the one excommunicated could never receive forgiveness for sin

Question 15

Lay investiture

Answer 15

the practice whereby earthly rulers appointed bishops

Question 16

Martyr

Answer 16

a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs

Question 17

Nero

Answer 17

the 5th emperor of Rome and the last of Rome’s first dynasty, the Julio-Claudians, founded by Augustus (the adopted son of Julius Caesar). Nero is known as one of Rome’s most infamous rulers, notorious for his cruelty and debauchery. He ascended to power in AD 54 aged just 16 and died at 30

Question 18

Ascetic

Answer 18

a person who adopts a simple lifestyle of self-discipline and self-denial

Question 19

St Benedict of Nursia

Answer 19

a religious reformer who lived in Italy in the late 400s and early 500s. He is known as the “father of Western monasticism,” having established a Rule that would become the norm for innumerable Christian monks and nuns

Question 20

The Edict of Milan

Answer 20

proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313

Question 21

Pope Gregory VII

Answer 21

head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 22 April 1073 to his death in 1085. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church