Funeral
Part 2 History
Chapter 22 The Patristic Period [400-799 CE]
Secular History |
Church History |
Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved |
Secular History
1. Constantine converts. Edict of Milan and the emancipation of Christians caused Christianity to be the Church of the masses.
Church History
1. The Church becomes a civil power. Rituals become public. Liturgical ceremonies become more elaborate, often adopting elements from Constantine's court.
Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved
1. Belief in the Resurrection gives a Christian context to grief.
ANGEL postings from course participants
The belief in the resurrection and restoration of the body at the eschaton solidified the Christian joy associated with death and contrasted the pagan belief of despair from death being the absolute end.
A theology of death and sin (Augustine) started to develop as persecution of the church stopped. While the martyrs were thought to be sinless, others may have a more "tolerable damnation" and so the church was encouraged to pray for the dead.
Difference between "grief" (Christian) and "mourning" (pagan) for the deceased develops. Prayer is advantageous for the deceased.
Trying to secure protection of the soul of the deceased. Purifying fire of expiation for sin: origins of purgatory
Life with Christ not undone by physical death.
Concept of communion of saints and resurrection of
the body. Practice of praying for the dead. Influence of philosophy.
Viaticum becomes sacrament of the dying.
A theology
of expiation is introduced by Pope Gregory.
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