Church History-3d. Century, cont. Martyrdom, Asceticism and Monasticism 1

Martyrdom According to Origen and Tertullian: “ The life of the Christian ought to be a preparation for martyrdom”. 2

Martyrdom, cont. Origen differentiates between two types of martyrdom: 1. Overt Martyrdom (for some people only): The shedding of blood for Christ. 2. Hidden Martyrdom (for all believers): that is “martyrdom of conscience” which is the struggle against worldly passions and desires. 3

Martyrdom, cont. St. Cyprian, Bishop of Cartage (3d. century) made clear the difference between the two kinds of martyrdom by calling martyrdom with blood shedding “red martyrdom”, and sacrificing oneself, the acts of love, and the struggle against lusts during times of peace the “white martyrdom” 4

St. Clement of Alexandria (teacher of Origen): “A true Christian is one that continuously lives as a martyr day and night, in his words and in his deeds, and in his speech” Martyrdom, cont. 5

Asceticism and Virginity The “ascetics” obtained a special place in the early church even before monasticism was born. “Ascetics” were characterized by poverty, fasting, and above all, continence (practice chastity). 6

Celibacy or Holy Matrimony The church continues her appreciation and honor for virginity and, at the same time, also the marriage in Christ, which she considers a holy sacrament in which the Holy Spirit works to sanctify the family. 7

St. Anthony 8

St. Anthony, cont. Short Biography: + Born 250 AD in Qimn El-Arouse (Beniswef) + His parents: Christian, pious, and rich + His parents died when he was about 20 + He distributed his wealth to the poor and lived ascetic life... + He died in the year 356 AD 9

St. Anthony, cont. God’s Purpose in St. Anthony’s Life: + Fulfilled the Gospel’s message : “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Mt. 19:21) + Devoted himself to solitary life and asceticism, first outside the city, then in a tomb for 20 years + By God's command, he went to El-Fayyoum and confirmed the brethren there in the faith, then returned to his monastery 10

St. Anthony, cont. God’s Purpose in St. Anthony’s Life, cont: + His activities and longing for martyrdom during the persecution period + Left the monks and went to the inner desert (his present monastery) + Taught by angel how to work and pray + His fame reached Emperor Constantine 11

St. Anthony, cont. St. Anthony’s Main Achievements: + Taught us how to live Gospel’s Commandments and left us many valuable spiritual sayings + Best example for living a life of martyrdom, asceticism, and monasticism + Founder of Christian Monasticism all over the World 12

St. Anthony, cont. Some Events during St. Anthony’s Life: + Overlap between era of persecution and church’s “peaceful time” + His intimate relationship with St. Athanasius (20 th Pope of Alexandria), St. Didymus (the blind) the dean of the School of Alexandria, and St. Makarios the great. + St. Athanasius wrote St. Anthony’s Biography during his exile in Treves in AD + His encounter with St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite 13

St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite 14

St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite, cont. Short Biography: + Born c. 229 AD at Lower Thebes (Luxor), Upper Egypt + Grew up in upper-class. Christian family + Was well educated, fluent in Greek and Egyptian + His parents died when he was about 16 years old + Lived as a desert hermit the remainder of his 113 years of life + Departed on Feb. 9, 342 AD (Amshir 2, 58 AM) + St. Jerome wrote his biography c. 374 or 375 AD 15

St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite,cont. God’s Purpose in St. Pola’s Life: + Left the world to solitary life because of his brother’s machinations + Stayed three days in a grave praying, an angel walked with him and reached eastern inner wilderness (his present monastery) + God revealed his existence to St. Anthony + Lions dug his grave to help his burial by St. Anthony 16

St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite,cont. St. Pola’s Achievements: + First of the hermits (anchorites= Sowah in Arabic) + St. Anthony brought him St. Athanasius’ tunic for his burial + St. Athanasius used to put on St. Pola’s fibre tunic during three major feasts + Many miracles took place from his fibre tunic + Patron Saint of “Clothing Industry” (and our chapel) + Order of Monk’s in Hungary and several churches around the world named after him 17

St. Paul (Pola) the first anchorite,cont. Some Events during St. Pola’s Life: + Overlap between era of persecution and church’s “peaceful time” + His prayers for the Church and all the World + His intimate relationship with St. Athanasius (20 th Pope of Alexandria) and St. Anthony + His encounter with St. Anthony 18