Monostasm
Christian monasticism had its origin in Egypt. In the second and third centuries, Christians sought to lead ascetic and holy lives in the deserts of Egypt. Some lived alone as hermits, and others formed communes where they devoted themselves to the pursuit of holiness rather than worldly success. Christianity became legal in the fourth century, and the monastic lifestyle became popular throughout the Roman Empire.In the early days of monasticism, each community developed its own rules, procedures, and priorities. Some communities demanded strict lifestyles and some did not, which resulted in Monks frittering away their time or wandered aimlessly from one monastic house to another. These haphazard conditions prevented monasteries from mounting effective Christian missions.
Monasteries organized much of the labor that brought about the expansion of agricultural production in early medieval Europe. Monks also zealously preached Christianity and tended to the spiritual needs of the rural populations. The rule did not permit extreme asceticism, but required monks to take vows to lead communal, celibate lives under the absolute direction of the abbot who supervised the monastery: poverty, chastity, and obedience became prime virtues for the Benedictine monks. ly monastic movement was strengthened by St Benedict of Nursia in 529. Monasteries helped to restore order in the country and expand agriculture production. Almost all works of Latin literature that have come down to the present survive because of copies made by medieval monks. European monasteries provided a variety of social services. Mostly in France and Germany, abbots of monasteries dispatched teams of monks and serfs to clear forests, drain swamps, and prepare lands for cultivation. They served as inns for travelers and places of refuge for individuals suffering from natural or other calamities. They were called, matins, lauds, prime, teree, sext, nones, uespers, and compline. They served the needs of these rural populations and over the decades and centuries, they helped to instill Christian values in countless generations of European peasants. The Rule also called for monks to spend their time in prayer, meditation, and work. Hours were divided up during the day into periods of study, reflection, and manual labor. The discipline introduced by the Rule strengthened monasteries. He prepared a set of regulations known as Benedict's Rule that he founded at Monte Cassino.
Common topics in this essay:
Europe European,
Monte Cassino,
Europe Monasteries,
,
Roman Empire,
France Germany,
Western Europe,
Benedict Nursia,
Benedict's Rule,
monasteries provided,
medieval europe,
rural populations,
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