Translated from the
original by Costas Balomenos
The Christians was believed
about
themselves that
they are the
new Israel
(=people
of salvation), Israel
of God, that
guided by
the spirit
and the
grace˙ that they are not
citizens of
the Roman Empire,
but they constitute a new nation
-
certainly
within its
territory -
for this
reason
moreover
was praying
for
the
stability of the state
and its Governor.
They (for
the Romans) were saying
that they
are alien
residents and
pilgrims
-
as
highlighted very
nicely in
letter to
Diogniton
-
in this
world,
for which
they
believed that will
soon be elapsed
because it
was going to
come the Second
Coming of
the Lord...
This faith,
i.e. for a rapid return of the Lord,
largely
determined
and
configuration of
their lifestyle, and their difference from the Gentiles
(idolaters)
was
distinguishable
and evident.
But
from the
middle of
the second century,
the moral rigor
of the first
Christians began
to decline
and so the
distance
from the
Gentiles has
started to ease enough. And it happened because many who were coming anymore to
Christianity they had secular mindset that do not abandon it, by entering in
this, but on the other hand there were many Christians who were forgotten the
spirit of renunciation of the world. But it should not be considered
that the
effect of
faith was ceasing
completely
in their
lives, because in
fact this
effect
was
remaining significant.
The marriage, from a simple contract that it was, was
refined by the spirit of Christian morality and the divorce strictly was
banned, except of course in case of adultery, according to the word of the Lord
in the Sermon on the Mount. The Church was blessing the marriage, without yet a
special service of marriage, and disapproved the second marriage as well as the
marriage to an unbeliever, i.e. a
National (an idolater).
During this era, the Christians were distinguished for
the manifestation of their love towards others, especially to the poor, the
destitute, the widows and the orphans with works, a fact that Tertullian
emphasized
to the
Gentiles: "Our
philanthropy
gives
more
in the
streets, despite as
many as gives your
religion in
the churches." So were visiting and were helping the sick and the
poor in their homes, the witnesses who were closeted in prisons, they were
accepting the foreigners and hosted them in their homes. In the temples, were
mobilizing voluntarily
money and
food which
later
for
distribution to
thosewas in need. Also they were collecting money
for specific
purposes, such
as the liberation
of prisoners,
sometimes even
without
distinguishing if
those prisoners
were
Christians or
pagans.
Other
Christians
have made
generous
donations, such
as for
example Marcion,
who later
became a
heretic of
the Church, who was
a wealthy ship
owner and gave 200
sistertious
-
remarkable
amount
for that
time -
when he
entered in
the Church of
Rome. Also, Cyprian
the bishop
of Carthage Church
of Carthage was distinguished for the care of
patients and
the burying
the dead,
like the Christians
of
Alexandria, when
pestilence
was
presented in
North Africa
and Egypt
From the Church were condemned various pageants, which
were considered as "procession of the devil", such as the duels and
the beast fights, the tragedies, the comedies and the mimes, and was forbidden
to Christians to visit the theaters and the Hippodrome. Also the slightly merriment, dancing and gambling were considered as
secular and inappropriately to Christians. Professions that in any way were connected with the above, received the
disapproval of the Church, like this of the gladiator, of the actor and others
that they had close contact with idolatry. Therefore, those who were exercising these professions and was going to
be baptized
Christians
ought
to have
abandon
immediately. The Church was skeptical and guarded in two professions that were
relating closely to idolatry: of the soldier and of the state employee.
The attitude of
the Church was
negative for
the cosmetics
and the adornment
of women.
Tertullian
was saying
that those
of them are not natural do not come from God the Creator, but
- by the other
party - of
this, i.e. from the devil, who distorts the nature. Likewise was rejecting the colored fabrics, the carpets etc., by arguing that God did not create red or blue sheep. The same was saying
for
coloring
hair,
coloring of
eyes and
face, the
headdress,
the false
hair
(wig),
which - for him - probably came from the
head
of someone
who was
destined
about hell,
the
shaving
and
hairdressing
of men
or
the habit
that had
at that
time, i.e.
to
cut,
dye
and
perfume
the hair. All this was quite difficult for Christians and
especially for women, because the habit of society was requiring these,
particularly the circle of those Christian women, who were married with
idolater husbands.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
John E. Anastasiou: Ecclesiastical History 1975
Writer Christos Pal
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