Medieval Church History: Monasticism, Schisms, and Reforms

Monasticism

Religious way of life for monks or nuns who renounce worldly pursuits to dedicate themselves to spiritual activities.

Asceticism

A strict, self-discipline lifestyle; abstaining from worldly pleasures with a spiritual focus.

St. Anthony of Egypt

Began monasticism by withdrawing from society to live as a hermit, committing himself to prayer and service of others.

Eremitic

Solitary, hermit-like living.

Cenobitic

Community living where monks take vows and obey monastic life.

St. Pachomius

Organized the first monastery as a place of worship and residence for nuns and monks.

Monks

Abbott - spiritual leader in a monastery.

Nuns

Abbess - spiritual leader in a monastery.

St. Benedict of Nursia

Established a monastery at Monte Cassino and created the Rule of St. Benedict.

Rule of St. Benedict

Formal monastic rule based on moderation versus asceticism, became the standard model for monastic life.

St. Scholastica

Twin sister of St. Benedict who set up a monastery for women.

Monastic Contributions

Monasteries Christianized Europe, preserved knowledge, promoted learning, and established monastic schools.

Illuminated manuscripts

Handwritten books from the medieval period intricately decorated.

Charity and healthcare centers

Monasteries became centers for charity and healthcare while maintaining lives of contemplation.

Clericalism

An exaggerated deference to or inappropriate concentration of power in the clergy.

Charlemagne

Ambitious military leader and devout Christian who became the protector of the Papacy.

Papal States

Territory gifted to the Pope by Pepin.

Pope Leo III

Crowned Charlemagne as 'Holy Roman Emperor' at Christmas mass.

Holy Roman Empire

Rome emerges as the new Holy Roman Empire under Charlemagne.

Frankish King Pepin

Sought help from Pope Zachary to legitimize his reign.

Battle of Tours

Ended Muslim expansion in Europe.

Rise of Islam

Mohammed receives a prophetic call and revelations from God, leading to the spread of Islam.

3 of 5 Patriarchates

Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria fall under Muslim rule.

Byzantine Empire

Unable to protect Rome from Muslim invaders.

Simony

Grave sin of buying/selling spiritual items.

Lay Investiture Crisis

Conflict over the appointment of bishops by secular rulers.

Concordat of Worms

Agreement that ended the investiture crisis.

The Great Schism

Division of the Church into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.

Rivalry for Power

Conflict between East and West over authority in the Church.

Theological differences

Disagreements over beliefs, such as the Filioque clause.

Iconoclast Controversy

Conflict over the use of religious icons in the Eastern Church.

Crusades

Military expeditions by Western Christians to reclaim the Holy Land.

1st Crusade

Crusaders captured Nicaea, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

4th Crusade

Crusaders targeted Constantinople instead of Egypt.

Medieval Church Seeking Rebirth

Efforts to reform the Church after the Crusades.

Decline of the Papacy

Loss of Papal power due to strong political leaders.

Avignon Papacy

Period when the Papacy was based in Avignon, France.

Catherine of Siena

Persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return the Papacy to Rome.

Bubonic Plague

Pandemic that killed 1/3 of Europe's population.

Great Western Schism

Split in the Western Church with rival Popes Urban VI and Clement VII.

Conciliar Movement

Movement to limit papal control through general councils.

High Middle Ages

Period of renewal in monastic life and Gothic architecture.

Mendicants

Religious orders that depend on charity and serve the poor.

Franciscans

Order of Friars Minor started by St. Francis.

Council of Chalcedon

Council that ranked Constantinople over other Patriarchates.

Filioque clause

Phrase in Nicene Creed considered heretical by the Eastern Church.

Iconoclasm

Deliberate destruction of religious icons and symbols.

Papal Bull

Official decree issued by the Pope.

Papal primacy

Pope's authority over Church affairs.

Albigensian Heresy

Religious movement condemned by the Church in the Middle Ages.

Spanish Inquisition

Judicial institution to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain.

Urban II

Pope who called for the First Crusade.

Pope Leo IX

Pope who excommunicated Patriarch Michael Cerularius.

Abbot

Spiritual leader in a monastery.

Abbess

Spiritual leader of a monastery for nuns.

Lay Investiture

The practice of appointing bishops within a territory by secular rulers.

Poor Clares

Monastic order for women established by Clare of Assisi.

Doctrine of Transubstantiation

The belief that bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.

Scholasticism

Method of learning using dialectical reasoning to arrive at truth.

The Medieval Inquisition

Ecclesiastical tribunal established for the suppression of heresy.

The Spanish Inquisition

Tribunals targeting Jewish and Muslim converts to unify Spain under Catholicism.

Teresa of Avila

1st Woman Doctor of the Church known for her mystical experiences and reforms.

Carmelite Reform

Movement initiated by Teresa of Avila to establish stricter convents.

Auto de fe

Ceremony of public penance of condemned heretics during the Inquisition.

Pope Martin V

Elected at the Council of Constance, ending the Great Western Schism.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Philosopher who reconciled Church teachings with Greek philosophy.

St. Anselm

Philosopher known for the phrase 'Faith seeking understanding'.