The Rise of the Mediaeval Church: And Its Influence on the Civilization of Western Europe from the First to the Thirteenth CenturyFlick, Alexander Clarence
History
The Rise of the Mediaeval Church: And Its Influence on the Civilization of Western Europe from the First to the Thirteenth Century
Flick, Alexander Clarence
Church history -- Middle Ages, 600-1500
[161:1] _Apost. Const._, viii., 6-15; Alzog, i., §§ 92, 93.
[161:2] _Apost. Const._, viii., 28.
[161:3] Alzog, § 95.
[161:4] _Ibid._, § 93.
[162:1] Euseb., _Eccl. Hist._, vi., 43.
[162:2] Alzog, i., 393.
[162:3] Hatch, _Org. of the Early Christ. Churches_, 143 _ff._
[162:4] Euseb., _Eccl. Hist._, v., 16; Tertullian, _De Jejunus_, 13;
Cyprian, _Ep._ 75; Hatch, _Org. of the Early Christ. Churches_, 169,
170.
[163:1] _See_ Hefele, _Hist. of Ch. Councils_, i., § 1-17.
CHAPTER X
RISE OF THE PAPACY--_Continued_
The growth of the Papacy from 313 to 604 was very marked and may be
traced with little difficulty. In fact from the fourth century onward
the proofs that papal supremacy was both asserted and recognised are so
numerous that it is only necessary to select typical cases and
illustrations. Certain formative influences and forces noticeable in the
period prior to 313 were continued into the later epoch and will be
considered in order here.
1. The missionary zeal of the Roman Church accomplished wonders. By the
fourth century Spain and Gaul had sufficient Christians to warrant the
division of the territory into bishoprics. Some of the Gallic bishops
were imbued with a remarkably active spirit of propagandism, notably,
St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (350-66), who fought the Arians
incessantly; Honoratus, Bishop of Arles, who inspired others to labour;
St. Martin, Bishop of Tours, called the "Apostle to the Gauls," and St.
Denis, Bishop of Paris, who suffered martyrdom for the cause. Similar
workers were found in Spain. About the same time Celtic missionaries
from the north were working southward to join the work spreading
northward from Rome. Columba laboured among the Scots and Picts; Aidan,
in Northumbria; Columbanus, with the Burgundians; Gallus, in
Switzerland; and Amania and Kilian in Thuringia. From Rome went forth
the famous missionary expedition to England under Augustine (596), which
succeeded in winning the Anglo-Saxons to a belief in the Roman faith and
to a recognition of Roman authority.
In return a counter-wave of missionary activity spread from England back
to the continent, led by Wilfrid in Friesland; Willibrord around
Utrecht; the Ewald brothers among the Saxons; Swidbert on the Ems and
Yssel; Adelpert in Holland; and Boniface, the "Apostle to the Germans,"
among various Teutonic tribes. This widespread missionary work resulted
in eventually bringing all Western Europe under the subjection of the
Roman Church. Thus new blood, a more primitive enthusiasm, and an
intense devotion were called to her service, and all powerfully aided
the rise of the Papacy.
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