The First Monks

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The First Monks
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Being a Christian became easy by the third
century. As the number of Christians grew, many
became slack in their faith. Those who wanted to
live a more intense Christian life, left their
homes and cities for the desert.
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They were following the example of Jesus who went
into the desert to pray. These men and women
started a movement called monasticism which
comes from Greek, meaning alone or single. They
lived alone. They spent much time praying. They
ate very little and very simply. They sometimes
lived in caves.
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At first they lived alone as hermits. Later they
banded together to form small communities. They
developed guidelines for living a strong
Christian life. Christians who wanted to live the
same way joined them. Newcomers would learn from
those who had been living the life for a longer
time. They came to be known as monks.
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This lifestyle became very popular. By the
fourth century, thousands of Christians flocked
to remote places to live this extreme
lifestyle. Some lived in trees or hovels. Others
lived on top of pillars. Others tamed wild
animals and kept them as companions.
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Monks eventually built monasteries. Monks did not
marry, because they dedicated their life to
God. Monks valued knowledge and could read and
write well. Monks and their followers became
known as Orders, and took their name from the
leader. The Benedictines took their name from
Benedict. The Fransiscans took their name from
Francis.
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Monks lived in communities which were isolated
and simple.
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Monks advised one another and wrote the
scriptures by hand.
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They dressed simply. They lived by strict codes.
These were poverty, chastity and obedience.
Because they were literate and lived earnest
Christian lives, many were chosen to be
Bishops. They brought their strict rules with
them. Some of their rules are still applied
today.
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Anthony of Egypt was one of the first monks. He
lived alone until people came to him for
spiritual guidance and advice. Later he withdrew
into the desert and lived on his own for 45 years
until his death.
St Anthony of Egypt
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Simon Stylites was a famous desert monk who lived
around 350AD. Simon lived on a pillar. The last
one built was over fifty feet from the ground! He
spent a total of 36 years on his pillar in prayer
and meditation. He also guided and advised people
who climbed up the pillar to speak to him.
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St Patrick Born around 389AD.
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St Patrick was actually English. Patrick was
kidnapped as a 16 year old, and taken to
Ireland. He escaped, but later returned to
Ireland to spread the Good News about Jesus to
the Irish. During his life, 200 churches were
built in Ireland. He baptised many people,
including the parents of St Brigid.
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Women also took up this lifestyle. St Brigid from
Ireland, founded a monastery at Kildare. It was a
centre of learning and prayer. A city grew up
around it. Brigid had great influence in the
Church. She even chose the citys first
Bishop. She founded the Brigidine Order of nuns.
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The Monastery Brigid founded at Kildare in
Ireland.
The Brigidine Cross
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Benedict studied law in Rome but soon became
disgusted with the sin and crime, and decided to
look for God in silence in the countryside. He
lived for some time as a hermit in a
cave. Eventually Benedict and his monks built a
monastery on a mountain called Monte
Cassino. There they lived a simple but
disciplined life.
St. Benedict
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Scholastica, Benedicts sister, formed a
community of women nearby and studied the
Scriptures, prayed, and worked, just as Benedict
and his monks did. This group of men and women
became known as the Benedictine Order of nuns and
priests. Much of what Benedict wrote is still
followed by monks today.
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Benedict, (480 587)
His sister, Scholastica
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Monks today still live a simple life, following
in the tradition of their founders.
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The end
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By Zita Smith This Powerpoint Presentation fits
with the Year 9 RE Curriculum Unit The Churchs
Story The Beginnings (The First Monks - Part 7)