The First Monks

Being a Christian became easy by the third century. As the number of Christians grew, many became slack in their faith. Those who wanted to live a more intense Christian life, left their homes and cities for the desert.

They were following the example of Jesus who went into the desert to pray. These men and women started a movement called monasticism – which comes from Greek, meaning alone or single. They lived alone. They spent much time praying. They ate very little and very simply. They sometimes lived in caves.

At first they lived alone as hermits. Later they banded together to form small communities. They developed guidelines for living a strong Christian life. Christians who wanted to live the same way joined them. Newcomers would learn from those who had been living the life for a longer time. They came to be known as monks.

This lifestyle became very popular. By the fourth century, thousands of Christians flocked to remote places to live this extreme lifestyle. Some lived in trees or hovels. Others lived on top of pillars. Others tamed wild animals and kept them as companions.

Monks eventually built monasteries. Monks did not marry, because they dedicated their life to God. Monks valued knowledge and could read and write well. Monks and their followers became known as Orders, and took their name from the leader. The Benedictines took their name from Benedict. The Fransiscans took their name from Francis.

Monks lived in communities which were isolated and simple.

Monks advised one another and wrote the scriptures by hand.

They dressed simply. They lived by strict codes. These were poverty, chastity and obedience. Because they were literate and lived earnest Christian lives, many were chosen to be Bishops. They brought their strict rules with them. Some of their rules are still applied today.

St Anthony of Egypt Anthony of Egypt was one of the first monks. He lived alone until people came to him for spiritual guidance and advice. Later he withdrew into the desert and lived on his own for 45 years until his death.

Simon Stylites was a famous desert monk who lived around 350AD. Simon lived on a pillar. The last one built was over fifty feet from the ground! He spent a total of 36 years on his pillar in prayer and meditation. He also guided and advised people who climbed up the pillar to speak to him.

St Patrick Born around 389AD.

St Patrick was actually English. Patrick was kidnapped as a 16 year old, and taken to Ireland. He escaped, but later returned to Ireland to spread the Good News about Jesus to the Irish. During his life, 200 churches were built in Ireland. He baptised many people, including the parents of St Brigid.

Women also took up this lifestyle. St Brigid from Ireland, founded a monastery at Kildare. It was a centre of learning and prayer. A city grew up around it. Brigid had great influence in the Church. She even chose the city’s first Bishop. She founded the Brigidine Order of nuns.

The Brigidine Cross The Monastery Brigid founded at Kildare in Ireland.

St. Benedict Benedict studied law in Rome but soon became disgusted with the sin and crime, and decided to look for God in silence in the countryside. He lived for some time as a hermit in a cave. Eventually Benedict and his monks built a monastery on a mountain called Monte Cassino. There they lived a simple but disciplined life.

Scholastica, Benedict’s sister, formed a community of women nearby and studied the Scriptures, prayed, and worked, just as Benedict and his monks did. This group of men and women became known as the Benedictine Order of nuns and priests. Much of what Benedict wrote is still followed by monks today.

Benedict, (480 – 587)His sister, Scholastica

Monks today still live a simple life, following in the tradition of their founders.

The end

By Zita Smith This Powerpoint Presentation fits with the Year 9 RE Curriculum Unit The Church’s Story – The Beginnings (The First Monks - Part 7)