CHURCH HISTORY notes #4 (376-664 AD)

KEY EVENTS:

Council of Constantinople (381): 2ND general council. Denounced Apollinarianism, approved Nicene Creed.
Emperor Theodosius Made Christianity Official Religion (391).
Tonsure – Rite began in 400-600, monks and priests shaved crowns for vows. Abolished in 1972 by Pope Paul VI.
Alaric – led Goths in 3-day sack of Rome in 410. Marks Middle Ages?
Council of Ephesus (451): 3rd general council. Denounced Nestorianism, which taught that Christ was 2 separate persons, one human, one divine.
The Council of Chalcedon (451): 4th general council. 500+ overseers condemned the Monophysite (“one-nature”) view of Christ (Egyptian Coptic & Syrian Orthodox Churches today). Affirmed Christ was one person w/2 natures (“Dyophysite”).
Leo the Great’s Tome – his written teachings formed the basis for the Council of Chalcedon’s understanding of Christ’s two natures.
Atilla the Hun – attacked Italy in 452. Leo convinced him to leave!
Vandals – beseiged Rome in 455. Leo convinced them not to rape, kill
The Fall of Rome – in 476, a barbarian named Odovacer desposed the Emperor. No more Roman empire, only Eastern Empire remained.

2nd Council of Constantinople (553): Around 542, One-Nature Christology became popular in East b/c of Empress Theodora’s support. Justinian, Emperor of the East, convened 5th general council to squelch. Council denounced the “3 Chapters” (writings of Nestorians, including Theodore of Mopsuestia, 350-428). Declared Mary’s perpetual virginity.

KEY PEOPLE:
Ambrose of Milan (ca. 251-356): Bishop who excluded Emperor Theodosius from communion b/c of slaughter of 7K citizens after a riot
Cyril of Alexandria (329-379) – brilliant, ruthless, corrupt (murderer!), who upheld orthodoxy and opposed Nestorianism in 431. Successors taught the heresy of Monophysitism.
John Chrysostom “Golden Mouth” (329-389): Priest from Antioch, Syria who became a monk-like overseer of Constantinople. Demanded holiness, stopped co-habitation w/”spiritual sisters”. Exiled in 403 by Emperor Arcadious & Olympias, his supporters burned Hagia Sophia.
Jovinian – Monk who objected to clergy/lay distinction, celibacy. Excommunicated in the 400’s.
Nestorius of Antioch aka “Fire-Brand” (345-420): Overseer in Constantinople who burnt down Arian churches. Criticized the title Theotokos (“God-Bearer”) for Mary. Followers became heretics.
Pelagius (d. 420): Monk. Taught humans have natural ability to please God. Denounced at local council @ Carthage in 418 & also @ the Council of Ephesus.
Apollinarius (350-428): Early proponent of belief that Christ had no “human” mind.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430): N. African bishop & theologian.
Manicheans – Gnostic-like sect began by Manichees who rejected sex
Monica – Augustine’s Christian mother who prayed for his salvation.
Benedict of Nursia (480-550): Father of Western Monasticism. Wrote the Rule of Benedict. Founded monasteries near Monte Cassino, Italy w/twin sister, Scholastica.
St. Patrick (521-597): Enslaved by the pagan Celts as a teen, escaped back to Britian, but returned to Ireland as a missionary.
Columba (521-597) – Irish missionary, founder of Iona monastery.
Gregory (540-604) – monk turned bishop. Evangelized Anglo-Saxons in 599. Developed doctrines of purgatory, penance. “Gregorian” chants. 1st Roman bishop w/title “Pope” (64th, per Rome).
Augustine of Canterbury (d. 605) – Monk sent by Pope Gregory I to found new churches in England after barbarians destroyed them.
Hilda of Whitby – she trained monks and defended Celtic-Irish in 664