Page 37 - History of Christianity I - Student Textbook

Do you agree with the above Confession of Chalcedon? I hope so, for it is truly Biblical!
Again, through all the schisms and all the turmoil, the bishops GOT IT RIGHT! The Word of God
prevailed and was passed down to us in truth. For this, we stop to thank God!

The Fall of Rome

Chalcedon to the Great Schism (451-1054)

The Council at Chalcedon led to the shoring up of the doctrines concerning the nature of Christ. Overrun by half-
civilized pagan and Arian hordes during the fifth century, Italy and the entire Mediterranean world was falling
back into barbarism. The Church was torn by conflict, city and country alike were made desolate by war and
pillage, violence was rampant among Christians as well as heathen. During this anarchic time appeared Benedict
of Nursia, founder of the great order which bears his name.

Benedict of Nursia (born in Nursia, Italy c. 480 - died c. 547) was a founder of
Christian monastic communities and a rule giver for monks living in community. His
purpose may be gleaned from his Rule, namely that "Christ... may bring us all together
to life eternal" The Roman Catholic Church canonized him in 1220.

Benedict founded twelve communities for monks, the best known of which is his first
monastery at Monte Cassino the mountains of southern Italy. There is no evidence that
he intended to found also a religious order. The Order of St Benedict is of modern origin and, moreover, not an
"order" as commonly understood but merely a confederation of congregations into which the traditionally
independent Benedictine abbeys have affiliated themselves for the purpose of representing their mutual
interests, without however ceasing any of their autonomy.

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