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WOMEN IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY

I.

WOMEN IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY


A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS & EARLY YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY
COME FROM NEW TESTAMENT
2.
BUT PROBLEM AS NOT CONTEMPORARY WITH HISTORICAL
EVENTS
3.
& NOT UNTIL 367 A.D. THAT CANON OF N.T. ESTABLISHED
4.
FEMINIST SCHOLARS HAVE LONG SOUGHT
a.
TO HAVE WOMEN'S ROLE IN SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY
ACKNOWLEDGED
b.
AS THEY RECOGNIZE CHRISTIANITY'S SPREAD
THROUGHOUT ROMAN EMPIRE
(1)
COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE ONLY BY PAUL
(2)
BUT WOMEN & OTHERS HAD TO BE INVOLVED
5.
BUT NOW GENERALLY AGREED THAT MUCH MATERIAL ABOUT
OR WRITTEN BY WOMEN
a.
LOST OR DESTROYED IN CHURCH'S STRUGGLE WITH
GNOSTICISM
B.
JESUS & HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN
1.
FAMILIARITY WITH STORY OF JESUS, ETC.
2.
HISTORICAL DATES 12 BC - 35 A.D., OTHERS 5 BC - AD 29
3.
JESUS' MESSAGE THAT ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS
4.
INCLUDED PEOPLE NOT NORMALLY ACCEPTED BY ALL
a.
WOMEN, SLAVES, PROSTITUTES
5.
THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE THAT WOMEN
a.
& NOT DISCIPLES
b.
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS
6.
WOMEN PLAYED UNIQUE ROLE IN HIS LAST DAYS
a.
ACCORDING TO MOST EVIDENCE
b.
WOMEN PROBABLY FIRST WITNESSES OF HIS
RESURRECTION
7.
MOST FEMINIST SCHOLARS PERCEIVE JESUS TO BE A FEMINIST
a.
FAR BEYOND THAT OF HIS FOLLOWERS & APOSTLES
b.
AS CONCERNED WITH BOTH WOMEN & MEN
8.
NO OTHER WESTERN PROPHET, SEER OR REDEEMER SO
DEVOTED TO FEMININE HALF OF MANKIND
9.
ACCOUNTS OF JESUS' LIFE CONSISTENTLY MENTION 5 WOMEN
COMPANIONS
a.
MARY MAGDALENE
(1)
PROSTITUTE STEREOTYPE
(2)
BUT IN ACTUALITY WOMAN WHO STOOD CLOSEST
TO HIM
(3)
EVIL SPIRITS INDICATE MENTAL ILLNESS
(a)
PERHAPS MANIC DEPRESSION
(b)
OR EPILEPSY
(4)
CHRIST DROVE 7 DEMONS FROM HER
(a)
LATER ON WILL BE CALLED 7 DEADLY SINS
TO EXCORIATE HER FURTHER
(5)
BUT CHRIST WILL APPEAR TO HER FIRST WHEN
SHE VISITS TOMB & HIS BODY IS GONE
(6)
& JESUS TELLS HER TO TELL DISCIPLES OF HIS

C.

BEING RISEN
(7)
MARY MAY BE REGARDED AS FIRST APOSTLE
(8)
SHE FIRST TO PROCLAIM GOSPEL OF RISEN JESUS
(9)
THIS FACT REMEMBERED DOWN TO MIDDLE AGES
(10) BUT HER MESSAGE FORGOTTEN
b.
MARY OF BETHANY
(1)
SISTER OF LAZARUS & MARTHA
(2)
ANOINTS JESUS WITH PERFUME
c.
JOANNA & SALOME
(1)
WOMEN AT TOMB
d.
PHOTINA
(1)
SAMARITAN
(a)
CHRIST MET AT WELL
(2)
NAME ASSIGNED TO HER
(3)
CALLED BY ORTHODOX CHURCH FATHERS
(a)
APOSTLE
PAUL & HIS TREATMENT OF WOMEN IN CHRISTIANITY
1.
PAUL HAS ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH CREDIT FOR SPREAD
OF CHRISTIANITY
2.
BECAUSE JESUS' MINISTRY ONLY 3 YRS LONG BEFORE HE WAS
CRUCIFIED
3.
SAUL - HIS ORIGINAL NAME
4.
GREEK JEW RAISED IN JEWISH TRADITIONS
5.
WAS PAUL A MISOGYNIST?
6.
FREQUENTLY TOUTED PAUL TOOK UP MISOGYNISTIC VIEW OF
WOMEN
a.
FROM HIS GREEK CULTURE
7.
BUT OTHERS SAY
a.
SUBSEQUENT PERSONS WROTE FAR MORE
DENIGRATING REMARKS ABOUT WOMEN THAN PAUL
8.
PROBABLY TIME PAUL SPENT IN EPHESUS BETWEEN A.D. 52 &
54
9.
HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH CRYSTALLIZING HIS ATTITUDE
TOWARD WOMEN
10.
PART OF TIME HE SPENT IN PRISON
11.
HE HAD CONCERNS REGARDING SOCIETY
a.
MONEY, IDOLS, SEX, FEMALE LIBERTY
12.
BUT HE MOST UPSET ABOUT SEX & FEMALE LIBERTY
a.
BECAUSE HE OBSERVED WOMEN MORE FREE IN
EPHESUS & IONIAN COAST THAN ANYWHERE ELSE
b.
TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS
13.
PAUL'S REMARKS IN EPHESIANS
14.
& NOT JUST AT EPHESUS & IONIAN COAST
a.
BUT CITY OF CORINTH
b.
KNOWN THROUGHOUT ANTIQUITY AS SEAT OF NB
TEMPLE OF APHRODITE
c.
GODDESS WHOSE HANDMAIDENS PROSTITUTED
THEMSELVES WITH TRAVELERS & SAILORS
d.
AS PART OF RELIGIOUS CULT OF APHRODITE
15.
THIS BEHAVIOR WOULD DEFINITELY CLASH WITH PAUL'S
CONCEPTION OF DEVOUT WOMEN
16.
TO CORINTHIANS HE WROTE

17.

D.

E.

TO THE UNMARRIED AND TO WIDOWS I WOULD SAY THIS; IT IS


AN EXCELLENT THING IF, LIKE ME, THEY REMAIN AS THEY
ARE. YET IF THEY CANNOT CONTAIN, LET THEM MARRY, FOR
IT IS BETTER TO MARRY THAN TO BURN [WITH PASSION] LET
THOSE WHO HAVE WIVES LIVE AS IF THEY HAD NONE; LET
MOURNERS LIVE AS THOUGH THEY WERE NOT MOURNING;
LET THE JOYFUL LIVE AS IF THEY HAD NO JOY.
18.
YET PAUL'S EPISTLE TO ROMANS MENTIONS 34 COLLEAGUES
a.
16 WOMEN, 18 MEN
b.
WOMEN LABORED "SIDE BY SIDE" WITH HIM
c.
HE CORRESPONDED WITH THEM AS LEADERS OF THEIR
OWN CONGREGATIONS
19.
IN CORINTH PAUL TAUGHT WITH PRISCA (PRISCILLA)
20.
SHE & HER HUSBAND AQUILA HAD ONCE SAVED PAUL'S LIFE
21.
& HAD PROBABLY JOINTLY LED THEIR CONGREGATION IN
ROME BEFORE FLEEING TO GREECE TO AVOID PERSECUTION
THECLA = THEKLA
1.
PAUL'S FOLLOWER THECLA OF ICONIUM
2.
LEFT HER FAMILY TO TEACH WITH HIM
a.
HE ORDAINED HER AS PREACHER OF GOSPEL &
APOSTLE OF CHRIST
3.
& BECAME MODEL IN THOSE CENTURIES FOR DEVOUT
CHRISTIAN WOMEN
4.
THELCA ACCEPTED AS BONA FIDE APOSTLE BY EARLY
CHURCH
5.
STILL ACCEPTED AS SUCH IN EASTERN CHURCH
6.
BOOK CALLED ACTS OF PAUL & THECLA WIDELY READ IN
FIRST 4 CHRISTIAN CENTURIES
7.
NOW INCLUDED IN APOCRYPHA
8.
NO ONE QUESTIONED ITS AUTHENTICITY EVEN THOUGH
TERTULLIAN ATTEMPTED TO CAST DOUBT UPON IT IN 3RD
CENTURY
9.
UNTIL IT WAS BARRED FROM OFFICIAL CANON OF NEW
TESTAMENT IN 367 A.D.
10.
17 YRS AFTER THAT DATE, JEROME STILL VOUCHED FOR ITS
AUTHENTICITY
11.
AS WELL AS UNDENIABLE HISTORICITY OF THECLA HERSELF
12.
EVEN AS LATE AS 690 ACTS OF PAUL & THECLA
a.
REFERRED TO AS AUTHENTIC DOCUMENT OF APOSTOLIC
AGE
13.
THECLA TYPIFIED POWER OF VIRGINITY WHICH EARLY
CHURCH PRAISED
14.
AMONG FEMALE MARTYRS, FAVORITES WERE VIRGINS
15.
SUCH VIRGINITY SAID TO HAVE MIRACULOUS POWERS
16.
TYPICALLY WHEN HUNGRY LION TURNED LOOSE UPON
THECLA IN ARENA
a.
HE STOPPED SHORT &
b.
THEN LICKED HER FEET
c.
IN HUMBLE ADMIRATION OF HER PURITY
17.
THECLA FIRST WOMAN MARTYR
CONCLUSIONS REGARDING PAUL & HIS COMPANIONS
1.
NOT ONLY DID PAUL'S LETTERS BECOME BASIS FOR LATER

F.

G.

WRITINGS OF CHURCH FATHERS


2.
THESE PAULINE PASSAGES BECAME BASE FOR ENTIRE
CHRISTIAN VIEW OF WOMEN
3.
HIS INSISTENCE ON WOMEN'S SILENCE IN CHURCH
4.
& COVERING THEIR HEAD IN PUBLIC ARE PART OF CULTURE
5.
PAUL'S RELEVANT PASSAGES ON WOMEN ARE ADDRESSED
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO PEOPLE OF CORINTH
6.
HE THEREFORE EMPHASIZED IN HIS LETTERS TO
CORINTHIANS CONVENTIONAL HEBREW VIEW OF WOMEN IN
PLACE OF WORSHIP
7.
NB POINT TO KEEP IN MIND
8.
PAUL & OTHER APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS SEPARATED WOMEN
WHO AIDED & WORKED WITH THEM
a.
FROM VAST MAJORITY OF WOMEN
b.
WHOM THEY PREFERRED TO REMAIN IN TRADITIONAL
FEMALE ROLES
9.
DRAWING ON HEBREW LAW & CUSTOM, PAUL ASSERTED THAT
WOMEN SHOULD BE VEILED AND
a.
KEEP SILENCE IN CHURCHES. FOR THEY ARE NOT
PERMITTED TO SPEAK, BUT SHOULD BE SUBORDINATE,
EVEN AS THE LAW SAYS. IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY
DESIRE TO KNOW, LET THEM ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT
HOME. FOR IT IS SHAMEFUL FOR WOMAN TO SPEAK IN
CHURCH.
10.
PETER SUPPOSED TO HAVE TOLD WOMEN TO BE SUBMISSIVE
a.
SO THEY COULD WIN OVER MORE CONVERTS
b.
WHO WOULD BE ATTRACTED BY THEIR REVERENT &
CHASTE BEHAVIOR
11.
BOTH TIMOTHY & TITUS ARGUED ONLY MEN COULD BE
BISHOPS IN NEW CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
12.
AS PART OF NEW TESTAMENT
a.
THESE PRESCRIPTIONS PERPETUATED WHEN
(1)
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE ACCEPTED
POSITIVE TRADITIONS REGARDING WOMEN IN NEW TESTAMENT &
EARLY CHURCH
1.
WOMEN'S PRESENCE IN GOSPELS WHETHER AS MOTHER OR
FOLLOWER
2.
REMAINED POWERFUL TRADITION FOR WOMEN IN
SUBSEQUENT CENTURIES
3.
ACTS & EPISTLES OFFERED MANY MODELS OF WOMEN
ACTING AS EQUALS WITHIN NEW FAITH
4.
WOMEN IN LATER GENERATIONS WOULD JUSTIFY ROLES
OUTSIDE FAMILY & MARRIAGE BY THESE EXAMPLES
5.
AFTER JESUS' DEATH MANY WOMEN HELPED NEW FAITH
ADDITIONAL ROLES OF WOMEN IN EARLY CHURCH
1.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
a.
HOUSES DONATED BY WEALTHY WIDOWS
2.
ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ACTS OF APOSTLES
RECORDED AS MEETING UNDER WOMAN'S ROOF
a.
THE CHURCH IN HOUSE OF CHLOE
b.
IN HOUSE OF LYDIA
c.
IN HOUSE OF MARY, MOTHER OF MARK

H.

I.

d.
IN HOUSE OF NYMPHA
e.
IN HOUSE OF PRISCA
3.
OF COMMON OFFICES OF CHURCH IN EARLY YEARS
a.
TEACHING, PRAYER, PROPHECY, THANKSGIVING OVER
BREAD & WINE,
b.
WOMEN COULD DO ALL OF IT
GNOSTICISM
1.
OFFSHOOT OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
2.
WOMEN IN POSITION OF MORE POWER
3.
AFTER DISCOVERY IN 1945 OF 52 GNOSTIC TEXTS IN
CHRISTIAN CEMETERY
a.
AT NAG HAMMADI NEAR LUXOR, EGYPT
4.
WE HAVE LEARNED MUCH MORE ABOUT GNOSTICISM
5.
GNOSTICS ALLOWED WOMEN IN NORTH AFRICA & OTHER
PLACES TO BE
a.
PRIESTS
b.
LEAD PRAYERS
c.
BAPTIZE
6.
THEY PRAISED EVE
7.
CONSIDERED MARY MAGDALENE APOSTLE
8.
BY 2ND CENTURY GNOSTICS HAD PRODUCED
a.
NUMBER OF BOOKS & TEACHINGS
b.
THAT STRESSED BOTH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF
WOMEN
c.
& BISEXUAL NATURE OF GOD
9.
ONE GNOSTIC HYMN LISTED ATTRIBUTES OF GOD IN TERMS
REMINISCENT OF CONTEMPORARY HYMNS TO ISIS
a.
FOR I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST. I AM THE HONORED
ONE & THE SCORNED ONE. I AM THE WHORE & THE
HOLY ONE. I AM THE WIFE & THE VIRGIN. I AM THE
MOTHER & DAUGHTER
10.
BY 3RD C MANY CONGREGATIONS SUCH AS GNOSTICS
a.
FOUND THEMSELVES CONDEMNED AS HERETICS
b.
EXPELLED FROM MAINSTREAM CHRISTIANITY
c.
THIS MEANT WOMEN NOW EXCLUDED FROM
PRIESTHOOD
d.
& NOT ALLOWED TO BAPTIZE
(1)
WHEN TOTAL IMMERSION CHANGED TO
SPRINKLING
11.
PAUL & TIMOTHY'S INJUNCTIONS AGAINST WOMEN SPEAKING
IN CHURCH NOW RECALLED & EMPHASIZED
12.
CHURCH LEADERS NOW RESPONDED
a.
IF IT HAD BEEN LAWFUL TO BE BAPTIZED BY WOMAN
OUR LORD & MASTER WOULD HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED BY
MARY, HIS MOTHER
b.
HAD JESUS INTENDED WOMEN TO PERFORM THESE
FUNCTIONS SOME OF HIS APOSTLES WOULD HAVE BEEN
WOMEN
PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM
1.
MOST POWERFUL IMAGES FROM EARLY CHRISTIAN
CENTURIES
a.
LEGENDS OF WOMEN MARTYRS

J.

b.
WHO WILLING TO DIE FOR THEIR BELIEFS
2.
ESTIMATED 100,000 DIED - MALE & FEMALE
3.
PERSECUTION FACT OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY
a.
MILLIONS HAVE DIED IN HOLY WARS
4.
EVEN ONCE CHRISTIANITY BECAME ACCEPTED AFTER
EMPEROR CONSTANTINE'S OK
5.
CHRISTIANS CONTINUED TO PERSECUTE EACH OTHER
6.
IN EARLY CHURCH MARTYRDOMS PUBLIC EVENTS
7.
BECAUSE CHRISTIANS COINCIDED WITH POPULARITY OF
PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
8.
VIOLENCE MADE EXCELLENT VIEWING & CROWDS LOVED IT
9.
ALTHOUGH CHRISTIANS NOT AS POPULAR AS VISUALLY
MEEKLY TO THEIR DEATH
10.
BOTH SLAVE GIRLS & WELL-BORN WOMEN & VIRGINS WENT
TO THEIR DEATH
11.
ST. PERPETUA OF CARTHAGE
a.
PERPETUA OF CARTHAGE FAMOUS WELL-BORN WOMEN
b.
22 WHEN IMPRISONED ALTHOUGH STILL NURSING HER
INFANT SON
MARTYRS BECOME SAINTS
1.
MANY OF THESE EARLY MARTYRS BECAME SAINTS
2.
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM OR ICONOGRAPHY ATTACHED TO
THESE SAINTS
a.
USUALLY ILLUSTRATING WAY THEY DIED
b.
AS FEW PEOPLE COULD READ
3.
SAINT CATHERINE & HER WHEEL
a.
1 OF INSTRUMENTS OF HER TORTURE
4.
ST. MARGARET & DRAGON
a.
1 OF BEASTS THAT ATTACHED HER
5.
ST. BARBARA
a.
HOLDING TOWER, MINIATURE OF ONE SHE IMPRISONED
IN BY HER PARENTS
6.
MANY BECAME ARCHETYPAL MODELS OF WAY TO ACHIEVE
CHRISTIAN SALVATION
7.
SLAVE WOMAN ST BLANDINA
a.
WHIPPED, BURNED & FINALLY DIED TRUSSED IN NET
GORED BY BULL
b.
BUT SHE HAD EXHAUSTED HER TORTURERS
c.
& WON THEIR ADMIRATION FOR HER STAUNCH
ADHERENCE TO HER FAITH
8.
OTHER WOMEN LEFT COMFORTABLE LIVES & HIGH POSITIONS
TO BECOME CHRISTIANS
9.
ST. AGNES
a.
WELL-BORN ROMAN GIRL
b.
CHOSE DEATH RATHER THAN MARRIAGE TO NONCHRISTIAN SUITOR
10.
ST. PELAGIA OF ANTIOCH EXEMPLARY VIRGIN THREW
HERSELF OFF ROOF RATHER THAN SUFFER RAPE
11.
ST. AFRA OF AUGSBERG ORIGINALLY PROSTITUTE CONVERTED
12.
& ALSO DIED FOR HER FAITH
13.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARTYRDOM & CREATION OF CHRISTIAN
HEROINES WILL CONTINUE AS WARS, RAIDS CONTINUE

II.

BELIEFS & PRACTICES SUBORDINATING WOMEN


A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
AS CHRISTIANITY ACCEPTED & INSTITUTIONALIZED
2.
EQUALITY GRANTED TO WOMEN IN ITS FIRST CENTURIES
DISAPPEARED
3.
IN CONTRAST TO JESUS
4.
CHURCH FATHERS LIKE
a.
JEROME, TERTULLIAN, AUGUSTINE, JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
b.
EMPHASIZED WOMEN'S INFERIORITY
c.
DECLARED WOMEN SHOULD BE SUBORDINATE TO MEN
5.
& TAKE AWAY WOMEN'S CONTROL OF THEIR FERTILITY BY
OUTLAWING ANY METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL
6.
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH SCHOLARS & RABBIS ALSO
STRESSED ADAM'S RELATIVE INNOCENCE & EVE'S GREATER
GUILT
7.
SOME OF THESE WRITINGS ACCEPTED AS ORTHODOX BY
CHURCH FATHERS
8.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH FATHERS ALSO DREW UPON GREEK
LEGEND OF PANDORA
a.
WHICH FAMILIAR TO THEM
9.
ALL STRESSED RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN PANDORA & EVE AS
BRINGERS OF EVIL TO MEN
10.
FROM 2ND C ON EVE SEEN BY CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS SOURCE
OF SIN, TEMPTRESS OF MAN
11.
TERTULLIAN
a.
CARTHAGIAN THEOLOGIAN C AD 160-230
b.
AND DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU [EACH] AN EVE. THE
SENTENCE OF GOD ON THIS SEX OF YOUR LIVES IN THIS
AGE; THE GUILT MUST OF NECESSITY LIVE TOO. YOU
ARE THE DEVIL'S GATEWAY...YOU DESTROYED SO
EASILY GOD'S IMAGE, MAN. ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR
DESERTION, EVEN SON OF GOD HAD TO DIE.
12.
CHURCH FATHERS PORTRAYED EVE AS SEX OBJECT, CAUSE OF
LUST
13.
NEXT STEP CHURCH FATHERS CAME TO CONDEMN ALL
WOMEN
14.
& LUST THEY INSPIRED IN MEN
15.
CHURCH FATHERS PRAISED CELIBACY & WROTE WITH
DISGUST OF ANYTHING SEXUAL
B.
CONTINUATION OF HEBREW PRACTICES
1.
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GRADUALLY ASSERTED WOMAN'S BODY
HAD POWER TO POLLUTE
2.
SAME AS FOR JEWS
3.
BY 3RD C MENSTRUATING WOMEN EVEN IF DEACONESSES
COULD NOT APPROACH ALTAR
4.
BY 7TH C. ALL MYTHS ABOUT DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF
MENSTRUAL BLOOD REVIVED
5.
BISHOP ISIDORE OF SEVILLE INSISTED MENSTRUATING
WOMEN COULD PREVENT FRUIT FROM RIPENING & PLANTS
COULD DIE BY HER TOUCH
6.
BY END OF 6TH C. CHRISTIAN WOMAN REMAINED UNCLEAN

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

III.

FOR 33 DAYS OF BIRTH OF SON


a.
& 66 DAYS AFTER BIRTH OF DAUGHTER
FOLLOWING HEBREW TRADITION
CHRISTIANS TRANSFORMED PROCESS IN CEREMONY OF
CHURCHING
PRIEST RITUALLY PURIFIED WOMAN AFTER SPECIFIC TIME
FROM CONTAMINATION OF CHILDBEARING
ONLY THEN COULD SHE ENTER CHURCH
IN TIME THESE REASONS USED TO EXCLUDE WOMAN FROM
ALL POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY & LEADERSHIP THEY HAD
INITIALLY ENJOYED

CHRISTIAN MORAL CODE RELATING TO WOMEN & FAMILY


A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
IN SPITE OF UNIVERSAL RULE OF ROME
2.
GREAT DIVERSITY OF FAMILY LIFE & MORAL CODES
3.
NO DISTINCTIVELY CHRISTIAN MORES
a.
BUT JEWISH, GREEK, ROMAN, GERMANIC, CELTIC, ETC.
4.
CONFLICTS INEVITABLY AROSE WHEN RULES BECAME MORE
INSTITUTIONIZED WITHIN CHURCH STRUCTURE
5.
BUT ULTIMATELY DEVELOPED FAIRLY HOMOGENOUS SET OF
RULES FOR
a.
SEX, MARRIAGE, CHILD REARING & SO ON
6.
BUT NEVER A TIME WHEN CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE LIVED
IN ACCORD WITH IDENTICAL MORES
7.
AS CHRISTIANS IN EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE AS UNPOPULAR AS
COMMUNISTS
8.
MANY OF EMPERORS SOUGHT TO ERADICATE THEM
9.
BECAUSE OF THIS HOSTILITY IT NATURAL THAT CHRISTIAN
CODES SHOULD CONDEMN MANY PRACTICES OF ROMAN
SOCIETY
10.
CHRISTIANS REACTED AGAINST
a.
EASY DIVORCE,
b.
EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN
c.
& SEXUAL FREEDOM
11.
BUT IT WOULD BE INCORRECT TO ATTRIBUTE PURITANICAL
CODES OF EARLY CHURCH FATHERS & OTHER CHRISTIANS
12.
ENTIRELY TO ANTAGONISM BETWEEN ROMAN SOCIETY &
CHRISTIANS
13.
UNDOUBTEDLY CHRISTIAN SUBORDINATION OF WOMEN
PARTLY REVERSION TO EARLIER HEBREW, GREEK & ROMAN
MORES
14.
CHRISTIAN EFFORTS TO SUPPRESS ALL EXPRESSION OF SEX
15.
ALONG WITH OTHER WORLDLY PLEASURES
16.
ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHINGS WHICH PITTED SPIRIT AGAINST
FLESH
17.
THIS DUALISM, EMPHASIZED ESPECIALLY BY PAUL
18.
WAS COMMON TO NUMEROUS RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS OF EAST
a.
ZOROASTRIANISM, ETC.
19.
PROBABLY EXPECTED 2ND COMING OF CHRIST CONTRIBUTED
FURTHER TO A LOW REGARD
a.
FOR SEX, MARRIAGE & CONCURRENT FAMILY LIFE

20.
21.

B.

C.

IF THIS WORLD SHORTLY TO END


& HUMANS TO GO TO ETERNAL GLORY OR TO ETERNAL
PUNISHMENT
22.
WHAT WAS USE OF MARRYING & BEGETTING CHILDREN?
23.
SHOULD NOT EVERY EFFORT BE DIRECTED TOWARDS
PREPARATION FOR DAY OF JUDGEMENT
SEX CODE OF EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
1.
CHURCH FATHERS CONDEMNED NOT ONLY
a.
FORNICATION, ADULTERY, PEDERASTY, MASTURBATION
& BESTIALITY
2.
BUT ALSO
a.
CONTRACEPTION,
b.
ABORTION,
c.
READING OF LASCIVIOUS BOOKS,
d.
SINGING WANTON SONGS,
e.
DANCING SUGGESTIVE DANCES,
f.
BATHING IN MIXED COMPANY,
g.
WEARING IMPROPER CLOTHING
h.
& ATTENDING THE THEATER
3.
A STERNER CODE WOULD BE HARD TO ENVISAGE
4.
SEVERAL OF THE CHURCH FATHERS NOTABLY ORIGEN
ACTUALLY PRACTICED SELF-MUTILATION,
a.
BECOMING EUNUCHS FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR
RELIGION
b.
& TO AVOID SEXUAL TEMPTATION
5.
MANY MEN FOLLOWED HIS EXAMPLE OF CASTRATION IN
ORDER TO LEAD LIFE FREE FROM WOMEN'S TEMPTATION
6.
THOUGH BY 4TH C. CHURCH FORBID CASTRATION
7.
BUT WHAT ACTUALLY TOOK PLACE BY PEOPLE IN SOCIETY IS
HARD TO DETERMINE
8.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT CHRISTIAN PEOPLE ACTUALLY DID IN
FIRST 4 CENTURIES
9.
THE CHURCH FATHERS IDEAS HAVE SURVIVED TO INFLUENCE
WESTERN WORLD EVEN IN THE 20TH CENTURY
STATUS OF MARRIAGE
1.
EARLY CHRISTIANS ACCORDED MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE A
LOWER STATUS
a.
THAN ASSIGNED BY ANY OTHER PEOPLE SO FAR IN
HISTORY
2.
WHILE MARRIAGE PROBABLY DESIRED BY MOST INDIVIDUALS
3.
CHRISTIAN WRITERS BELITTLED IT IN THEIR FORMAL
TEACHINGS
4.
IN PAUL'S 1ST EPISTLE TO CORINTHIANS HE SAID
a.
TO AVOID FORNICATION, LET EVERY MAN HAVE HIS
OWN WIFE AND LET EVERY WOMAN HAVE HER OWN
HUSBAND...FOR I WOULD THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN AS
I MYSELF [A BACHELOR]...I SAY THEREFORE TO THE
UNMARRIED AND WIDOWS, IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF
THEY ABIDE EVEN AS I. BUT IF THEY CANNOT CONTAIN,
LET THEM MARRY; FOR IT IS BETTER TO MARRY THAN
TO BURN. 1 CORITHINIANS 7:7-9
5.
THUS MARRIAGE IS TOLERATED ONLY TO AVOID A GREATER

10

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7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

EVIL
SOME CHRISTIAN WRITERS EVEN HELD THAT MARRIAGE WAS
IMMORAL
IN EARLY SYRIAN CHURCH ONLY UNMARRIED CHRISTIANS
COULD BE BAPTIZED
WHILE MOST OF CHURCH FATHERS AVOIDED OPEN
CONDEMNATION OF MARRIAGE
THEY GAVE CELIBACY A HIGHER STATE THAN MATRIMONY
VIRGINITY OR CELIBACY WAS A STATE OF SPECIAL PURITY
CULT OF VIRGINITY BECOMES NB
TERTULLIAN WROTE NUMEROUS WORKS ON THIS
a.
ON THE WEARING OF VEILS BY VIRGINS
b.
ON THE CONDUCT OF VIRGINS
OTHER TITLES
a.
ON THE TRUE INTEGRITY OF VIRGINITY
A WOMAN MUST NOT ONLY REFRAIN FROM ENHANCING HER
APPEARANCE, BUT ALSO BY CONCEALMENT AND
NEGLIGENCE ERASE THE SIGNS OF NATURAL BEAUTY AS
EQUALLY DANGEROUS TO ANYONE SHE MEETS. WHILE
PHYSICAL BEAUTY IS NOT ACTUALLY A CRIME, IT IS TO BE
FEARED, JUST ON ACCOUNT OF THE INJURIOUSNESS AND
VIOLENCE OF SUITORS. EVERY WOMAN MUST WEAR A VEIL - A
MOTHER FOR HER SONS' SAKES, A SISTER FOR HER BROTHERS'
A DAUGHTER FOR HER FATHER'S - SINCE ALL AGES ARE
PERILED IN HER PERSON
EVERYONE OF MAJOR CHRISTIAN WRITERS FROM
a.
1ST - 6TH C.
ASSUMED MENTAL & MORAL FRAILTY OF WOMEN
DWELT UPON VEXATIONS OF MARRIAGE
& REVILED THE BODY & SEXUAL DESIRE
THIS ATTITUDE TO PERVADE MEDIEVAL CHURCH
& PERSISTS INTO RELIGIOUS WRITINGS EVEN TODAY
AMBROSE OF MILAN
a.
ON HOLY VIRGINITY
POPULAR BELIEF & LEGEND
a.
SPECIAL POWER ATTRIBUTED TO VIRGIN
b.
UNICORN, LEGENDARY ANIMAL
(1)
PERMITTED NO ONE TO APPROACH HIM EXCEPT
FOR VIRGIN
(2)
HE WOULD REST HIS HEAD IN BOSOM OF VIRGIN
(3)
THIS ONLY WAY TO CAPTURE HIM
WOMAN BY DENYING HERSELF INTERCOURSE WITH MAN
SHE NEGATED REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION WHICH MADE HER
FEMALE
SO IN EYES OF CHURCH FATHERS SHE ROSE ABOVE HER
"INFERIOR" NATURE
IN THIS WAY ACCORDING TO CHRISTIAN TEACHING A WOMAN
COULD BECOME A MAN
JEROME EXPLAINS
a.
AS LONG AS WOMAN IS FOR BIRTH AND CHILDREN, SHE
IS DIFFERENT FROM MAN AS BODY IS FROM SOUL. BUT
IF SHE WISHES TO SERVE CHRIST MORE THAN WORLD,

11

D.

E.

THEN SHE WILL CEASE TO BE WOMAN & WILL BE


CALLED MAN
28.
ACCORDING TO CHURCH FATHER ST. JEROME 345-420
a.
I PRAISE WEDDINGS & MARRIAGES BECAUSE THEY
PRODUCE VIRGINS
b.
HE ADVOCATED A LIFE DEDICATED TO PERPETUAL
VIRGINITY FOR WOMEN
c.
BECAUSE OF THEIR MORAL & PHYSICAL WEAKNESS
d.
HE DEFINED WOMEN AS IN EVERY WAY INFERIOR TO
MEN
e.
DISMISSED PROPHETESSES & FEMALE EVANGELISTS IN
GOSPELS AS MERE WOMEN
f.
HIS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EDUCATION OF GIRLS
AGAIN REINFORCES HIS INFERIOR VIEW OF GIRLS
g.
LET THEM KNOW NOTHING OF THE PAST LET THEM
SHUN THE PRESENT & LET THEM LONG FOR THE
FUTURE
29.
IN TANDEM WITH THIS MARRIED COUPLES WILL RENOUNCE
CONJUGAL RELATIONS
30.
MELANIA THE YOUNGER PERSUADED PINIANAUS TO ACCEDE
TO HER WISHES
31.
SCATTERING THEIR VAST FORTUNE IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES
FROM ITALY TO EGYPT
32.
THEY SETTLED FINALLY IN JERUSALEM WHERE MELANIA
ESTABLISHED CONVENT FOR VIRGINS
AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO 354-430
1.
WITH AUGUSTINE CHRISTIANITY PROBABLY REACHED ITS
PEAK OF MISOGYNY
2.
HE IS CONSIDERED THE MOST POTENT CHURCH FATHER
3.
AFFECTING CENTURIES OF CHRISTIAN & SOCIETY'S BELIEFS
4.
WHAT THE POSITION OF CATHOLIC CHURCH TODAY ON ISSUES
RELATING TO
a.
DIVORCE, BIRTH CONTROL
b.
HARKEN BACK TO AUGUSTINE
5.
DISCUSS SOME OF HIS LIFE
6.
PROBLEM MANICHAEN FROM 19-28
a.
NEARLY 10 YEARS
7.
MANICHAENS AGAINST EATING MEAT, MARRIAGE
8.
HE PUT TOGETHER 4 WAYS BIBLE COULD BE INTERPRETED
a.
HISTORICAL
b.
ETIOLOGICAL = MORAL
c.
ANALOGICAL = OLD TESTAMENT PREFIGURING NEW
TESTAMENT
d.
ALLEGORICAL
AUGUSTINE'S STANCE ON BIRTH CONTROL
1.
MANICHEAN BELIEF THAT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WHICH WAS
INTENTIONALLY NON-PROCREATIVE SACRED
2.
SINCE AUGUSTINE ACCEPTED ONLY REASON FOR
INTERCOURSE IN MARRIAGE FOR PROCREATION
3.
CONTRACEPTION WAS DESTROYING OF HUMAN SEMEN
4.
& FORM OF MURDER
5.
MORALLY SPEAKING IT REFLECTED CONCUPISCENCE

12

F.

G.

a.
UNRESTRAINED LUST
6.
GRAVE SIN AS MURDER & PAGAN WITCHCRAFT
7.
INCEST WITH ONE'S DAUGHTER LESS SIN THAN PRACTICING
BIRTH CONTROL WITH ONE;S WIFE
8.
AUGUSTINE IS FINALIZING WHAT PREVIOUS CHURCH FATHERS
HAD SAID
9.
JEROME
a.
CALLED CONTRACEPTION MURDER OF MAN NOT YET
BORN
10.
WHILE ABORTION FOR AUGUSTINE ACCEPTABLE IF FOETUS
LESS THAN 40 DAYS HAS HAD NO SOUL
11.
& ACCORDING TO EARLY CONTEMPORARY PENITENTIAL OF
CHURCH
12.
WHICH WILL HAND OUT 1 YEAR PENANCE IF ABORTION IS
DONE
a.
BREAD & WATER FASTING
13.
BY 6TH C. EMPEROR JUSTINIAN WILL MADE ABORTION
HOMICIDE FOR ROMAN EMPIRE IN EAST
14.
CHURCHMEN WILL THEN ESTABLISHED PENANCES EVEN FOR
MISCARRIAGES
15.
CHURCH HAS NOW TAKEN CONTROL OF WOMEN'S FERTILITY
DIVORCE
1.
DIVORCE WAS DEBATED BY CHURCH FATHERS FOR ABOUT 3
CENTURIES
2.
SOME POSTULATED THAT IT MIGHT BE PERMITTED ON
GROUNDS OF IDOLATRY, APOSTASY, COVETOUSNESS AND
FORNICATION
3.
EVEN ST. AUGUSTINE SHIFTED HIS POSITION
a.
EARLY IN HIS CAREER HE HELD THAT FOR UNLAWFUL
LUSTS A MAN MAY WITHOUT CRIME PUT AWAY HIS WIFE
(1)
AND A WIFE HER HUSBAND
4.
COUNCIL OF ELVIRA IN 306 DECLARED IF A WOMAN PUT AWAY
HER HUSBAND,
5.
EVEN THOUGH HE WERE GUILTY AND SHE MARRIED ANOTHER
MAN SHE SHOULD BE EXCOMMUNICATED
6.
IF SHE LEFT HER HUSBAND W/O CAUSE & ENTERED INTO
ANOTHER MARRIAGE
7.
SHE WAS DENIED COMMUNION, EVEN ON HER DEATH BED
8.
COUNCIL OF ARLES IN 314 PRONOUNCED GENERAL PRINCIPLE
OF INDISSOLUBILITY OF MARRIAGE
9.
BUT MADE CONCESSIONS TO THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY OF
ENFORCING SUCH A RULE
10.
FINALLY AT COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE IN 407
11.
CHURCH DEFINITELY LAID DOWN STRICT DOCTRINE OF
INDISSOLUBILITY
12.
ROMAN STATE IN 4TH C VACILLATED TOO ON DIVORCE
13.
VARIOUS REASONS WERE ALLOWED BUT THEN FINALLY IN
5TH C. CONFORMED TO RULE OF THE CHURCH
CHILDREN - REAL PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE
1.
IN GENERAL EARLY CHRISTIAN VIEW WAS WE EITHER MARRY
FOR PURPOSE OF BRINGING UP CHILDREN OR WE ABSTAIN
FROM MARRIAGE & ARE CELIBATE

13

2.

H.

I.

IDEA THAT SOLE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE WAS PROCREATION


OF OFFSPRING
3.
WHILE NOT FOUND IN NEW TESTAMENT A COMMONPLACE IN
CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY
4.
ORIGEN'S ( ?185-254 FROM ALEXANDRIA) ASCETIC VIEWPOINT
5.
GOD HAS ALLOWED US TO MARRY WIVES, BECAUSE NOT
EVERYBODY IS CAPABLE OF THE SUPERIOR CONDITION
WHICH IS TO BE ABSOLUTELY PURE; A MAN WHO MARRIES
FOR SAKE OF BEGETTING CHILDREN MUST PRACTICE
CONTINENCE SO HE DOES NOT DESIRE HIS WIFE FOR
CHRISTIAN IDEAL IS NOT TO EXPERIENCE DESIRE AT ALL
CONSEQUENCES OF MISOGYNY OF CHURCH FATHERS
1.
THIS MISOGYNY OF EARLY CHRISTIANS
2.
AFFECTED NOT ONLY STATUS OF WOMEN BUT OF WIVES
3.
BUT AS VIRGIN, WIFE OR PROSTITUTE
a.
WOMAN REMAINED DEFINED BY HER SEXUAL
RELATIONSHIP WITH MAN
4.
ACTUAL ROLES TO BE PLAYED BY WOMEN IN CHRISTIAN
FAMILY INDICATED BY PAUL IN HIS EPISTLE TO TITUS
a.
TO BE SOBER, TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, TO LOVE
THEIR CHILDREN, TO BE DISCREET, CHASTE, KEEPERS
AT HOME, GOOD, OBEDIENT TO THEIR OWN
HUSBANDS...TITUS 2:4-5
5.
ACTUAL STATUS OF AN EARLY X WIFE
a.
PROBABLY NOT VERY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF
(1)
HEBREW OR ROMAN MATRON OF EARLIER
PERIOD
ASCETICISM & LATER MONASTICISM
1.
IN FIRST CENTURIES OF RELIGION
a.
MOST HOLY LIFE FOR CHRISTIAN
b.
CAME TO BE ONE OF ASCETICISM
2.
THESE CHRISTIANS ATTEMPTED TO LIVE NOT FOR THIS
WORLD BUT FOR NEXT
3.
THEIR GOALS
a.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH & MORAL IMPROVEMENT
b.
THROUGH PRAYER, CHARITABLE ACTS & IMMERSION IN
SCRIPTURES
4.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH ALSO NECESSITATED DENIAL OF BODILY
APPETITES
5.
THOUGHT TO CHAIN SOUL TO EARTH &
6.
& PREVENT SOUL FROM APPROACHING GOD
7.
ASCETICISM MEANT DENYING BODY'S NEEDS FOR
a.
FOOD, WATER, SEX, CLEANLINESS & SLEEP
b.
ASCETIC CHRISTIAN WOMEN MIGHT BE WIDOWS WHO
HAD BEEN MARRIED & BORNE CHILDREN
c.
OR THEY MIGHT BE WOMEN WHO WISHED TO REMAIN
VIRGINS
d.
& REJECT MARRIAGE & CHILDBEARING ALTOGETHER
8.
BUT TO LIVE ALONE FOR INSTANCE IN DESERT POSED
PARTICULAR DANGERS FOR WOMEN
9.
INSTEAD WOMEN WHO WISHED TO PURSUE SUCH LIFE
a.
BEGAN TO GATHER TOGETHER

14

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

23.
24.
25.
26.

27.
28.
29.
30.

b.
TO CREATE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
THESE INVOLVED INTO REGULAR ORDERS
IN 380 PAULA = LATER CALLED ST PAULA THE ELDER
ABANDONED HER LIFE OF TYPICAL WEALTHY ROMAN
MATRON
JOINED CIRCLE OF CHRISTIAN ASCETIC WOMEN
PAULA WHILE WIDOW HAD FIVE CHILDREN
WHEN 33 YRS OLD SHE EXPERIENCED RELIGIOUS CRISIS
a.
WALKED STREETS OF ROME GIVING AWAY HER MONEY
b.
SHE THEN JOINED ANOTHER GROUP OF WOMEN
THESE HIGH-BORN ASCETIC WOMEN LIVED LIFE ALMOST
OPPOSITE OF THAT EXPECTED OF WEALTHY ROMAN WOMEN
THEY DID NOT GO TO SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OR PARTIES
STAYED SECLUDED INDOORS EXCEPT TO VISIT CHRISTIAN
SHRINES OR CHURCHES
THEY ATE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE & REMAINED CELIBATE
THEY DID NOT WASH & WORE COARSE CLOTHING OF POOR
THEY SLEPT LITTLE ON HARD MATS ON FLOOR
JEROME PRAISED PAULA AS IDEAL CHRISTIAN WOMAN
a.
SHE MOURNED & SHE FASTED. SHE WAS SQUALID WITH
DIRT; HER EYES DIM WITH WEEPING...THE PSALMS
WERE HER ONLY SONGS; GOSPEL HER WHOLE SPEECH;
CONTINENCE HER ONE INDULGENCE; FASTING STAPLE
OF HER LIFE
WHEN JEROME EXILED IN 385
a.
PAULA LEFT HER 3 YOUNGER CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO
EGYPT & NEAR EAST WITH HIM
ONLY HER DAUGHTER EUSTOCHIUM WENT ALONG
JEROME AGAIN EXTOLLED HER
a.
SHE OVERCAME HER LOVE FOR HER CHILDREN BY HER
LOVE FOR GOD
LATER EUSTOCHIUM EDITED JEROME'S TRANSLATION OF
BIBLE,
a.
FUTURE LATIN VULGATE EDITION
b.
SO SHE KNEW BOTH LATIN & GREEK
AUGUSTINE'S SISTER PERPETUA FOUNDED ORDER FOR
WOMEN IN DIOCESE OF HIPPO
a.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S SEE
ST. BRIDGIT ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY FOR
WOMEN AT KILDARE IN IRELAND
a.
BECOMING ITS FIRST ABBESS
ST.BENEDICT'S SISTER ST. SCHOLASTICA
a.
ALSO ESTABLISHED BENEDICT ORDER FOR WOMEN
IN FRANCE QUEEN RADEGUND (518-587) BECAME MODEL FOR
WOMEN'S FOUNDATIONS
a.
PRINCESS OF THURINGIA WHO HAD BEEN TAKEN AS
BOOTY ON DEATH OF HER PARENTS
b.
SHE BECAME 5TH RANKED WIFE OF FRANKISH KING
CLOTHAR I
c.
DEDICATED TO RELIGIOUS LIFE SINCE CHILDHOOD
d.
SHE QUARRELED WITH HIM OVER HER PIOUS VOCATION
e.
& HER DESIRE TO SPEND HER TIME CARING FOR SICK

15

f.
g.
h.

J.
K.

WHEN SHE FEARED HE WOULD HAVE HER KILLED


SHE FLED
& WITH HER PROPERTY & SUPPORT OF GERMAIN HER
BISHOP
i.
SHE FOUNDED COMMUNITY FOR WOMEN AT POITIERS
j.
AS ABBESS SHE PROVIDED EXAMPLE TO HER
COMMUNITY
k.
AFTER HER DEATH HER CHAPLAIN WROTE:
l.
HUMAN ELOQUENCE IS STRUCK ALMOST DUMB BY THE
PIETY, SELF-DENIAL, CHARITY, SWEETNESS, HUMILITY,
UPRIGHTNESS, FAITH & FERVOR IN WHICH SHE LIVED
31.
BETWEEN 512 & 534 CAESARIUS, BISHOP OF ARLES
32.
WROTE RULE THAT WOULD BECOME BASIS OF CHRISTIAN
WOMEN'S RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN CENTURIES TO COME
a.
ALL PROPERTY WAS GIVEN UP ON ENTRANCE
b.
VOWS TAKEN TO REMAIN CLOISTERED & CELIBATE FOR
LIFE
c.
COMMUNITY WAS TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT
d.
WOMEN TO PERFORM HOUSEHOLD TASKS THEMSELVES
e.
WHEREAS MONKS GOT SERVANTS TO DO WORK
33.
BASICALLY ADAPTION OF BENEDICT'S RULE FOR MONKS
34.
EVENTUALLY DEVOUT WOMEN COULD
a.
LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES,
b.
SHUN MARRIAGE &
c.
FORGO CHILDBEARING
35.
THEY COULD BECOME "BRIDES OF CHRIST"
36.
BUT ALWAYS RELIGIOUS WOMAN MUST LIVE UNDER
GUARDIANSHIP OF MALE ECCLESIASTIC
37.
AS CELIBATE DEVOUT WOMAN STILL INFERIOR TO CELIBATE
DEVOUT MAN
38.
BY 8TH C OVER 20 MONASTERIES FOR WOMEN IN ENGLAND
39.
OVER 20 FOR WOMEN IN FRANKISH LANDS OF FRANCE &
BELGIUM
40.
BY 9TH C. 11 FOR WOMEN OUT OF TOTAL OF 20 IN SAXONY
REGION OF GERMANY
DOUBLE MONASTERIES
1.
ABBESS OVER MONASTERY AND NUNNERY
2.
MOST FAMOUS ST. HILDA OF WHITBY IN ENGLAND
CULT OF VIRGIN MARY
1.
YOUR TEXT RELATES HOW MOTHER OF CONSTANTINE,
HELENA
2.
BEGAN CULT OF MARY
3.
& HOW SHE BUILT 1ST MARIAN SHRINE IN NAZARETH
a.
TO COMMEMORATE HER OWN PILGRIMAGE THERE IN
325
4.
AFTER THIS INITIAL SHRINE
5.
OTHER PLACES WANTED TO HAVE TEMPLE TO MARY TOO
6.
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE
a.
BUILT IN ROME
b.
ON SITE SUPPOSEDLY CHOSEN BY MARY HERSELF
AFTER VISION
7.
BUT IT TOOK LONG TIME FOR CULT OF MARY TO BE ACCEPTED

16

8.
9.

10.
11.
12.
13.

BY CHURCH
FOR MARY IN EARLY YEARS WORSHIPPED AS GODDESS
& SO EMPERORS ORDERED DESTRUCTION OF ALL GODDESS
TEMPLES THROUGHOUT EMPIRE
a.
& FORBID WORSHIP OF MARY
b.
FEARING HER WORSHIP WOULD OVERSHADOW HER
SON
LATER IN WESTERN EUROPE DURING CHARLEMAGNE'S AGE IT
RESURRECTED
BUT NOT UNTIL 12TH C. WAS INTEREST IN MARY INTENSIFIED
a.
AS REACTION TO STRICT AUTHORITY OF CHURCH
b.
& CHRIST NOW SEEN AS JUDGE
MARY WOULD NOW ACT OF INTERCESSOR WITH HER SON
VAST INCREASE IN NUMBER OF CHURCHES DEDICATED TO
MARY AS RESULT

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