Christian Thought and Culture up to 1600

University of Nottingham, (V81200) 2017/2018

Lavinia Cerioni

Handout Lecture 8
Monasticism in Western and Eastern Europe

Three main points discussed so far in the lectures:

a) The struggles and fights caused by the different interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, in particular the
opposition between heresy/orthodoxy.
We focused on: God/Trinity; Creation of Humankind; the Economy of Salvation.

b) A general agreement about core Christian orthodox beliefs that are shared by all Christian
confessions nowadays. These are:
o The belief in the Christian Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
o The belief in the redeeming power of Christ’s death on the cross
o The belief in the resurrection of Christ

c) The doctrines elaborated by Patristic theologians that we have seen constitute the base for medieval,
modern and contemporary theological debates.

1. What is Monasticism?

The word ‘monasticism’ indicates the Christian practice of renunciation of the material comforts of the
world in favour of the contemplation of the divine.

o Monk: this term indicates the person who decides to live according to the monastic lifestyle, thus
living in seclusion or withdrawal from the world or society.
o Monasteries: This term indicates the places in which groups of monks live together as a community.
o Monastic Rules: Most monastic groups gave themselves a set of rules to follow. Generally, the
monastic lifestyle is based on the rejection of material comforts. It often involves ascetic practices
(e.g. fasting; chastity; penance; praying) and rules of conduct.

2. First Monastic Communities

Such practice originated in Egypt around the end of the 3rd century CE and it arrived in the West only a
couple of centuries later.
In the East, the first monastic communities were the ones of Pachomius (320-325 CE) in Egypt and Basil of
Caesarea in Cappadocia (ca 370).
In the West, the first monastic communities appeared only in the 5th century. One of the most famous
communities was the one of Benedict of Nursia, who started the Benedictine community at Monte Cassino
(Italy) around 525 CE.

3. Types of Monasticism

a) Eremitic Monasticism

At the beginning, monks lived mostly alone in the desert (they are also known as the Desert Fathers). They
lived in natural caves, often growing their own food or living out of people’s alms. This type of monasticism
is known as Eremitic Monasticism.

Why was this type of life appealing? The hermits wanted to imitate Jesus life. By adopting this
lifestyle, men and women could fulfil the purpose of Christian life away from the temptations of the
cities.

One of the first exponents of the Eremitc Monasticism was Anthony the Great. His life is narrated in the Life
of Saint Anthony written by Athanasius, which also represents one of the most important sources about
Eastern Monasticism available to us.

• Anthony was one of the so-called Desert Fathers and he lived most of his life in the Egyptian desert
(251–356).

• This book tells the story of Anthony’s temptations and struggle to restrain his emotions and desires.

• He and his disciples were often asked to instruct people about the ways of the Gospels. Their sayings
are collected in a book called ‘The sayings of the Desert Fathers’.

b) Cenobitic Monasticism

Around the 4th century, monks abandoned their solitary life to live in community, often sharing food and
praying together with other monks. This type of monasticism is known as Cenobitic Monasticism.

The most famous example of cenobitic monasticism is the Benedictine Community. This community was
founded by Benedict of Nursia, an Italian monk who lived between 480-527 CE, and it is famous for its rule.

Rule of Saint Benedict (540 CE)

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The Rule is composed by 73 chapters and it aims at organising the lives of the Benedictine monks.
• Stabilitas loci (Stability of residence): the monks are required to live all their life in the monastery
• Coversatio (Conduct): Good moral conduct (e.g. piety; obedience; chastity; poverty)
• Ora et labora (Pray and work): the importance of alternate work and prayers

4. The Christianization of Europe

Monks contributed greatly to the Christianization of Europe. Here few examples:

• Britain: Christianity was affirmed thanks to the Gregorian Mission (Augustine of Canterbury
baptised King Aethelberht of Kent in 601 CE).
• France and Germany: although most Frankish and German tribes became Christian around the 5th
century, the Northern ones became Christian only in the 12th century thanks to the work of
Benedictine monks.
• Slavic Countries: Christianity arrived in these countries thanks to Cyril and Methodius (middle 9 th
century)

5. The Importance of Monasticism between Late Antiquity and the Middle Age

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE), Europe political order was completely disrupted.
In this decadent political landscape, the monasteries had two importantfunctions:

a) Monasteries had a fundamental social function, often replacing the decadent imperial authorities
b) Monks preserved the cultural productions of the ancient world (e.g. documents, books, arts, etc)

The social functions of monasteries:

• Monasteries provided social services and basic welfare (e.g. health care services, menses for the
poor)
• Monasteries gave refuge and shelter to pilgrims travelling in Europe
• Monasteries had often schools in which both lay and ordained people could receive an education
• Monasteries were cultural centres for arts and crafts
• Monks or powerful ecclesiastical figures acted as land trusts for influent families

Monasteries and the Transmission of Ancient Culture:

 They made copying manuscripts an art

 By copying ancient works upon commission, they allowed the circulation of ideas

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 By copying and conserving manuscripts, they made them available to us nowadays