Lecture 17: Later Fourth Century History 3 November 2015

Introduction Fourth Century Politics Julian Apostate Battle of Adrianople Theodosius Great Ambrose of Milan Spirituality in 4 th C: early Monasticism and Pilgrimages

Key Historical Events in 4 th Century after Constantine Constantine’s Empire gets divided among his sons; but this only leads to civil war and a weakened Empire After Constantine, all Emperors except Julian the Apostate ( ) were Christians Some of Constantine's successors in 4 th C were Arians; sent missionaries to Goths north of Danube (Arian missionary and bishop Wulfila) Constantinople becomes the most powerful city in the Empire

So Who Was Julian the Apostate? Nephew of Constantine the Great Constantine was succeeded by his sons Constans, Constantius and Constantine (Julian’s cousins) Constantius consolidated power through intrigue and murder, including the murder of Julian’s father and older brothers [DCE 24] Julian as a boy sent to study in Athens  may have known Sts. Basil Great and Gregory Nazianzus there;  pretended to be a Christian After his studies, he commanded Roman troops in Gaul

Julian the Emperor When Constantius died (361), Julian was named Emperor by Army  Tried to reestablish paganism and other non-Christian forms of religion in Empire  Planned to rebuild Jewish Temple in Jerusalem  Tried to mimic Church’s charitable structures in the State  Died on campaign in Persia (363) Julian was succeed by a Christian Emperor, Jovinian Julian was the last non-Christian ruler in Europe until 1789 and the French Revolution (the Enlightenment)

Classic Battle: Adrianople Between Roman troops under Emperor Valens and Goths  9 August 378 Roman army is completely destroyed  Valens disappears in the carnage  Most of the 40,000 Roman troops are lost Often thought to signal ‘beginning of end’ of Roman Empire  Last Western Emperor 479  Last Eastern Roman Emperor 1453 Still studied today by military historians Artifacts from battle are still being discovered ron/Mediterranean/Adrianople.ht ml

Reaction to Adrianople Ambrose:  “the destruction of the entire globe, the end of the world, the funerals of relatives, the deaths of fellow citizens and above all the violation of holy virgins and widows, which is more bitter than any death.”  “When I heard the result of the engagement I beat my brow, tore my hair and pondered the cause of the disaster” Basil, “I have heard that all the roads are filled with brigands and deserters Gregory of Nyssa: “Let us fear afflictions, let us expect dangers; the criminal Goths who are giving birth to a war against us are not far off.” John Chrysostom reported a prophecy in Constantinople before Valens went to battle that if Valens did not reopen orthodox churches, he would be defeated  “widows of the fallen have no idea what became of their husbands”

Adrianople and Church History Emperor Valens  To resolve infighting among Constantine's successors, empire divided East and West, along Diocletian’s lines  Valens, Augustus in East, is an Arian Patriarchate of Constantinople staunchly Arian during his reign After battle Orthodox will claim battle was God’s wrath on Valens  Turning point in balance of political power between Arians and Orthodox

Reassessment of Triumphalism of Christian History Constantine’s bloody reign Vicious fighting among heirs Julian Apostate Battle of Adrianople Within 35 years: sack of Rome (410)

Theodosius Great ( ) Out of resulting instability, Western general, Theodosius, became Emperor in 379 Theodosius was Baptized a Nicene (orthodox) Christian in 380 Called Council of Constantinople in 381 Deeply involved with Ambrose, bishop of Milan, and Gregory Nazianzus, patriarch of Constantinople

St. Ambrose ( ) Civil administrator in Northern Italy Milan now military capitol of Western Empire to counter Goths When orthodox bishop of Milan died in 373, people acclaimed Ambrose bishop  Ambrose tried to flee, but was stopped  Baptized, ordained priest, then bishop within a week Friends with Basil and Gregory Nazianzus Wrote a very influential Duties of Clergy Also wrote many hymns

Ambrose and Theodosius Burning of Jewish synagogue in Callinicum in Mesopotamia  Theodosius wanted Christian community to pay to rebuild synagogue  Ambrose wrote scathing sermon saying not right for Christians to build synagogues  Theodosius backed down Theodosius massacred people of Thessalonica because they had rioted and killed Roman administrators  Ambrose excommunicated Theodosius  Theodosius publicly repented

Spirituality after Constantine Problems:  How to lead a truly Christian life when martyrdom is no longer an option; how to become a saint?  It had become too easy, too socially and politically important to be a Christian Solutions: The Way of Jesus  Monasticism  Pilgrimage

Development of Monasticism: Early 4 th C Desert Monks (from Greek for solitary), primarily in Egypt: anchorites withdrawn from society  Most famous: Anthony ( ),  Athanasius (Bishop of Alexandria, opposed Arius) wrote a very influential life of Anthony, example: Augustine Confessions Book VIII Communal monasticism: cenobitic  Many attracted to this way of life, come together in groups  Rule of St. Pachomius (286 – 346)  Pachomius’ sister, Mary, establishes an Egyptian monastery for women

What’s a Rule Prescribes the way of life for the community Includes what prayers are said when Defines balance between work, study, prayer Community organization (abbot, monks, novices) and how leaders are selected Process for acceptance into community How new communities are created Relation between community and diocese

Later 4 th C Monastic Developments Basil’s Rule Augustine organizes his clergy in Hippo as in a monastery,  Credited with a ‘Rule’;  Based on a letter written to nuns But most famous and influential Rule in the West is Benedict’s Rule (mid 6 th C)  Benedict knew Pachomius’s Rule through John Cassian

Pilgrimages A way to become closer to Jesus and the martyrs  Started with remembrance of acts of martyrs and celebrations at their burial places After Constantine, more far reaching  People who could not give up their life to enter monastery  Needed some special way to demonstrate their faith  Also way to atone for sins  Starts with Helena, Constantine’s mother, in Jerusalem Remember, 5 th C pilgrimage nothing like 21 st C pilgrimage  Dangerous: very high probability of death  Expensive  Very arduous and tedious (lasting year or more) Most famous early record of pilgrimages by Egeria, 4 th C woman  Born in Spain or France  Spent 3 years on pilgrimage  Her journal gives earliest description of liturgies in Jerusalem during Holy Week

Fourth Century Account of Adoration of Cross on Good Friday The bishop duly takes his seat in the chair, and a table covered with a linen cloth is placed before him; the deacons stand round the table, and a silver-gilt casket is brought in which is the holy wood of the Cross. The casket is opened and (the wood) is taken out, and the wood of the Cross is placed upon the table. Now, when it has been put upon the table, the bishop, as he sits, holds the extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his hands, while the deacons who stand around guard it. It is guarded thus because the custom is that the people, both faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing down at the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass through - Egeria

But What Is Proper Understanding of Pilgrimage? Are journeys to far away holy places necessary for Christian life? Does simply being in a holy place make you holy?

Church Fathers Develop Cautions About Pilgrimages As Journeys icon237.jpg St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394, Feast March 9)  Place does not make a Christian holier  “Change of place does not bring one closer to God, but where you are, God will come toward you.”  Gregory himself does go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but need proper attitude  Most important pilgrimage is the interior one to God