Unit 2 Quiz Flashcards
0
Q
Out with Martyrdom, In with Monasticism
A
- New ways to worship and practice the faith began to emerge
- Christians rose to power: enjoyed material, political, social and religious privileges, and authority
- People looked to the Church for guidance
- End of persecutions brought a loss of meaning–> the reasons and purpose, witnessing to the faith… Many converted “just because”…
- Some therefore, fled to the desert and become monks.
1
Q
Monasticism
A
- Means “the act of dwelling alone”
- Monastics are chosen and called by God to live a life of prayer , work, and community
- Became the new “Martyrdom”
- Renounced the outside world in favor of an “ascetic” (strict/ disciplined) lifestyle involving intense prayer, seclusion and communal life.
- MONO= “One”
- Monasteries (where monks live ) + Convents (Where nuns live)
2
Q
Value of Monasticism
A
- During barbarian invasions: provided refuge, food, stability, structure, prayer, work, shelter
- Won admiration of barbarians, some entered the monasteries
- Monks copied sacred and secular books, preserved culture and civilization (history, art…)
3
Q
Communal Life (Monasticism)
A
- Believed that life in community is better than the solitary life as a way to seek God
- United by belief and way of worshipping God
- Took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
- Self-sustaining centers: land tillable soil, wells, buildings, fishpond, rabbity, poultry yard
4
Q
St. Anthony of Egypt
A
- The father of monasticism
- Left his life behind to live in the desert
- Did battle with demons (money, temptations, emotional states)
- Saint Athanasius wrote his biography
- He became a hermit cut from society
- Others were attracted to the life of prayer and sought him out in the desert
5
Q
Simon Stylites
A
- Lived 40 years atop a pillar in the desert
- “Stylus” =pillar
- Desert father
6
Q
Desert Fathers
A
- Earliest monks who lived in the deserts of Africa/ Middle from the end of the 2nd century
- Sacrificed their lives for Christ
- Left behind rules and tradition
- Used metaphor and stories to speak the truth and teach a lesson about how to be a good Christian (Ex: Brotherhood Story)
- Called each other “Abba” means Father
7
Q
Pachomius
A
- Recognized the need for order, structure, uniformity
- Organized the first monasteries in 320
- Common rule stressing prayer, chastity, poverty, obedience
- Monks and Nuns follow a superior
- Abbot: Masculine superior and spiritual leader
- Abbess: Feminine superior and spiritual leader
8
Q
What is the difference between monasteries, Abbey, and Priory
A
- Monastery: Community of religious monastics living under religious vows and the buildings where they pray and work
- Abbey and Priory are two types of Christian Monasteries
- Abbey: Monks under an Abbott and nuns under an Abbess; Cloistered (No interaction with people)
- Priory: Extension under Abbey; very similar in structure and discipline; headed by a Prior (Masculine) and Prioress(Feminine); not cloistered
9
Q
St. Benedict of Nursia
A
- Wanted to seek God in solitude and silence of the countryside (Hermit)
- Eventually wrote the “Rule of Saint Benedict”
- Believed life in community fosters union with God in ways that living alone does not–> “no holy vagabonds” (a wanderer, gypsy)
- Subiaco= site where he lived as hermit before organized his first monastic community
- Monte Cassino= First monastic community, now famous monastery
10
Q
St. Scholastica
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- Benedict’s twin sister who formed a community of monastic women
- Both taught monks and nuns to read so that they could better understand Scripture and their daily prayer
11
Q
The Rule of Saint Benedict
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- Benedict developed a rule for his monks based on moderation in all things
- Desires are not inherently bad; they should just regulate
- Example: instead of resorting to extreme fasting, eat just 2 meals a day
- Balanced, simple and prayerful life
- “Idleness is the enemy of the soul”
- Ora et labora “prayer and work”
- These guidelines became the standard for Western monasticism and provided a model for religious life in the Church
12
Q
Western Monasticism
A
- Saints Benedict and Scholastica:Brother and sister duo
- More Practical
- Community emphasis
- Strong connections with the hierarchy
- St. Benedict
13
Q
Eastern Monasticism
A
- Saints Basil and Macrina: Brother and sister duo
- Ascetic life stress (Live w/ each other but do not interact)
- Solitude emphasized
- Tension w/ the hierarchy
- St. Anthony
14
Q
Irish Monasticism
A
- Began w/ Saint Patrick==> Known to have spread Christianity all throughout Ireland
- Monastic communities began to form
- Ireland then: Impoverished, simple lives, and peasants–> needed education which a monastery provided
