Christianity in the Middle Ages

Monks, Nuns, Friars, Pilgrims,

Monasteries and Convents

Christianity Spreads North

When Rome fell, Christianity was just becoming an important force. Christianity in Europe at that time was practiced by members of the Roman Catholic Church.

At the beginning of the Middle Ages, Christianity was only popular in places that had been part of the Roman Empire (e.g. Italy, Greece and Spain).

Christianity was spread to the north by missionaries and monks.

Missionaries

The head of the Roman Catholic Church was called the Pope.

Some popes sent out missionaries to teach people about Christianity and convert them to the faith.

The first missionaries were sent to the areas that are now England, Germany and France.

St. Patrick

Lived in the AD 400s Famous for converting

Ireland to Christianity. He used a clover (a

common plant in Ireland) to explain Christianity – this is why clovers are used on St. Patrick’s Day

Made a saint (title given by the Catholic Church to holy people) for his work in Ireland.

Monks

While missionaries went out to share Christianity, monks isolated themselves from society to practice their faith.

Monks (men) lived in monasteries and nuns (women) lived in convents which sprang up all over Europe.

Contributions of Monks

For the most part, monks lived in isolation. However, they did offer services to their communities: Offered shelter to travelers Provided health care/hospitals Aid for the poor Ran schools Copied books Collected ancient writings Spread/shared their faith

Vows of Monks

To become a monk, a person took a set of vows. The most common were:PovertyChastityObedienceSilence (not all monks)

Life in monasteries followed a strict set of rules. Days were spent in prayer, study and work.

Religious Orders

Different religious groups developed based on the teachings of famous leaders.St. Benedict (Benedictine Order) created

the Benedictine Rule which first set up the strict behavioral guidelines followed by most monks in the early middle ages.

The Monks of Cluny isolated themselves completely and focused only on religious matters.

Religious Orders (cont.)

Some religious orders wanted to practice their faith while living among the community. These groups were called friars.Two famous groups are the Dominicans and

the Franciscans.Friars roamed an area preaching and

begging for food.

St. Francis of Assisi

Lived 1182-1226 AD Founded the

Franciscan Order Born wealthy but

gave up wealth to serve the poor

Patron saint of animals and ecology

Mr. Linder and St. Francis

Pilgrimage

A popular activity for Medieval Christians was to take a journey to a special religious place.

Pilgrims traveled to the Holy Land or to the burial sites of famous saints.

Some people took pilgrimages to show devotion, others saw these trips as great adventures.