They were a new phenomenon. During the first three centuries, Christians had led an ascetic life without abandoning their homes and work. There was no community life yet. Now in the 3rd century some retire to the desert seeking refuge during the persecutions. Gradually a sort of community life within the close walls of monasteries begins to flourish. Figures such as St. Pacomius, St. Anthony and St. Benedict made known the perennial call to the reform of the Church and to personal sanctity.
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During the 5th century, when the Barbarians threatened to smash the Western part of the Empire, the Church emerged as the only authority left to face the danger. Thanks to her the Latin language and culture were preserved. Moreover, Roman Law became one of the pillars of the new Christian civiliz...
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The Eastern part of the Empire was more christianized then the West. It survived the Barbarian scourge one thousand years more. Byzantium accomplished the fundamental mission of safeguarding the classic civilization, the roman law and the Greco Christian philosophy. Without this the basis of the ...
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