V. The Christian Church Survives Rome's Ruin

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Comment Blog

Petrine Doctrine
Matthew 16:18-19
John 21: 15-17
Peter is always first
St. Ignatius of Antioch
St. Irenaus of Lyons
St. Clement of Rome to Corinthians
Sylvester I (MP3 available) and Julius I regarding St. Athanasius
Papal Legates Vincent and Vitus at Nicaea
Council of Sardica (344)
Council of Constantinople I (381)
Pope Damasus "Apostolic See"
Pope Innocent I on deposition of St. John Chrysostom
Pope Leo I the Great on Patriarch Nestorius
King Desiderius of the Lombards; Exarchy of Ravenna; Duchies of Spoleto & Benevento
Charles, son of Pepin, siege of Pavia
Lake Bracciano; the Atrium of St. Peter's
"King of the Franks and Lombards, Patrician and Defender of the Romans"

J. Strayer: "The Church" as the Roman Empire in the West slowly collapsed, the Christian Church emerged as the one stable institution among the ruins."

C. Dawson: "The Catholic Church" The influence of Christianity on the formation of European unity is a striking example of the way in which the course of historical development is modified and determined by the intervention of new spiritual influences."

B. Tierney: "The Christian Church" "While in most respects the late Roman Empire was a time of decline, in the filed of religion it was a period of immense vitality."

From Pagani to "milites Christi"
The ordo of bishops, beacons, and presbyters

Message:

A. Radical, spiritual liberation
B. Human dignity, made in image and likeness of God, same from emperor to serf
C. Community, sense of belonging: Christians as peregrini in the world; citizens in Kingdom of God

Christianity, the religion of Jesus Christ, is made visible by the Church.

A theocracy directed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon the members, especially the ordo.

The ordo represents the Church to the world and Christ to the Church

St. Ambrose of Milan; Theodosius; massacre at Thessalonica