Christianity in Roman Africa by Burns-Jr., J. Patout -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Illustrations Preface Abbreviations Summary of Events Map of Roman Africa Key to Cities and Provinces in the Map Introduction

Practice and Theology

A Theological School A Practical Theology of the Church Correlation with Practice

Archeological and Literary Evidence

Second and Third Centuries Fourth and Fifth Centuries The Vandal Era The Byzantine Period

The Structure of This Book

1. Christianity in North Africa to Diocletian

Background Geographical Spread Persecution

180-249 c.e. Persecution under Decius, 250/251 c.e.

Summary The Orders Implementation of the Orders The Victims

Persecution under Gallus Persecution under Valerian and Gallienus, 257-260 c.e.

Dionysius of Alexandria Cyprian Further Implementation

Disciplinary and Doctrinal Disputes Christian Literature

2. The Christian Imperial Period: Diocletian to the Vandals

From Diocletian to Constantine

Diocletian’s Reforms The Persecution of Christians

Constantine and His Sons

The Liberation of Christianity Religious Non-Conformists

Manichees Novatianists Tertullianists Donatists

Julian to the Vandals

Stability Once More Destabilization and Suppression Renewed Conflict between Caecilianists and Donatists The Pelagian Controversy Arians and Vandals

3. Fifth-Century Conflicts: Vandal Arians and African Nicenes

The Vandal Conquest of Roman Africa The Vandal Kingdom in Africa

The Religious Conflict

Vandal Arianism Repression of Nicene Christianity

The Vandal Imprint

Byzantine Africa

Justinian’s Conquest Byzantine Orthodoxy African Resistance to Justinian Donatism The Final Debate

Arab Africa

4. Survey of the Archeological Evidence for Christian Practice

History and Overview of the Evidence

Types of Ecclesial Structures Dating the Remains Characteristics of African Basilicas Liturgical Furniture (Altars, Screens, and Pulpits)

Baptismal Architecture

Multiple Baptisteries in a Single Urban Area Baptistery Placement and Construction Font Shapes, Sizes, and Depths Mosaic Decoration of Baptisteries and Fonts Additional Structures and Apparatus

Archeological Evidence Pertaining to the Cult of Saints

Burial ad Sanctos

Architectural Evidence for Christian Burial

Cemeteries and Cemetery Churches Funerary Banquet or Offering Tables (Mensae) Mosaic Tomb Covers

Ecclesial Structures in Selected Cities

Basilica of Castellum Tingitanum (Chlef or Orléansville) The Churches of Carthage

The Caecilianist Cathedral of Carthage Basilica Maiorum Memoria Cypriani (Basilica of the Mappalia)

The Churches of Sufetula

The Church of Bellator The Chapel of Jucundus The Basilica of Vitalis The Church of Servus The Basilica (or Martyrium) of Saints Sylvanius and Fortunatus The Basilica of Saints Gervasius, Protasius, and Tryphon Other Basilicas The Chapel of Bishop Honorius (in the Region of Sufetula)

The Ecclesial Complex at Hippo Regius

The Baptistery at Hippo Regius

Thamugadi and the Cathedral of Optatus

Conclusion

5. Becoming a Christian: The Ritual of Baptism

Introduction Baptismal Practice in Tertullian’s Time

The Rejection of Idolatry The Catechumenate The Ritual Age of Candidates for Baptism Ministers of the Sacrament Baptism in Extraordinary Circumstances Baptismal Space, Time, and Elements Images of Baptism: Biblical Typologies Disputed Issues

Irregular or Heretical Baptism The Baptism of John Repeating Baptism Baptism and Martyrdom

Conclusion

Baptism in Cyprian’s Time

The Ritual Infant Baptism The Worthy Minister Baptism and Martyrdom Emergency Baptism Images of Baptism Baptismal Spaces The Maternal Church Disputed Issues

The Power to Baptize The Rebaptism Controversy

Conclusion

Baptism in the Treatise on Rebaptism

The Ritual Contribution to the Controversy Conclusion

The Controversy over Baptism in the Fourth Century

The Donatist Schism Optatus of Milevis The Revolt against Primian Conclusion

Baptism in Augustine’s Time

The Ritual

Enrollment of Catechumens Lenten Preparation Holy Week and Baptism at the Easter Vigil The Baptismal Washing Anointing and Imposition of Hands Entrance into the Church Subsequent Instruction Foot Washing

Infant Baptism Emergency Baptism Ministers of the Sacrament A Theology of Baptism Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence

The Decoration of Fonts Shapes, Sizes, and Depths of Fonts Placement of Baptisteries Multiple Fonts Privacy of the Ritual

Correlation of Theology and Practice

Rebaptism The Power to Sanctify Unity of the Ritual Baptism of Infants

Transition

6. Living in Peace: The Celebration of Word and Eucharist

Introduction Word and Eucharist in Tertullian’s Time

The Ritual

Readings Prayer Kiss of Peace Offering Times of Celebration

The Evening Agapē The Morning Ritual Presiders Food Elements Additional Issues

Purity Excommunication

Conclusion

Word and Eucharist in Cyprian’s Time

The Ritual

Readings Prayer and Kiss of Peace Offering

Evening Agapē and Morning Assembly Presiders Food Elements Additional Issues

Priesthood and Sacrifice Eucharist and Martyrdom Excommunication Purity Images of the Eucharist

Conclusion

Word and Eucharist in Augustine’s Time

The Ritual

Entrance Procession Readings and Preaching Dismissal Prayers Presentation and Preparation of Gifts Eucharistic Prayer and Distribution Ending

Daily Eucharist The Lectionary Preaching The Congregation Fasting before Eucharist Eucharistic Theology Theology of Priesthood Theology of Preaching Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence

Church Furnishings

Correlation of Theology and Practice

From Evening Agapē to Morning Eucharist Eucharist as Sacrifice Preaching and Predestination The Role of the Clergy

Transition

7. Keeping the Church Pure: Excluding and Readmitting Sinners

Introduction The Practice of Penance in Tertullian’s Time

Structure of the Ritual Using the Ritual of Repentance Access to the Ritual Withholding the Ritual The Penitential Works Forgiveness through Martyrdom The Development of Penitential Discipline

The New Prophecy Episcopal Innovation

The Power to Forgive Sins Conclusion

The Practice of Penance in Cyprian’s Time

The Ritual of Penance Using the Ritual of Penance Reconciliation of Penitents before Death Alternate Forms of Penance Repentance by the Clergy Forgiveness through Martyrdom The Forgiveness of Daily Sins The Power of the Church to Forgive Sins The Authority and Power of the Bishop Integration into the Community The Communion of the Church The Purity of the Church Conclusion

The Donatist Practice of Penance The Practice of Penance in Augustine’s Time

Types of Sin Rebuke and Correction The Rituals: Daily Private Penance The Rituals: Formal Public Penance The Rituals: Penance Performed in Secret The Rituals: Reception of Those Baptized without True Conversion Penance for the Clergy Penitential Works The Necessity of the Ritual of Reconciliation The Power to Forgive and the Efficacy of Penance Intercession of the Martyrs Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence

Placement of the Penitents

Correlation of Theology and Practice

The Power to Forgive Sins Sins the Church Could Not Forgive Ritualizing Repentance The Rituals of Reconciliation

Transition

8. Leadership: The Clergy and the Sacrament of Orders

Introduction The Clergy in Tertullian’s Time

Clerical Ranks Clerical Life Clergy as Governing Officers Status of Martyrs and Confessors Spiritual Prophets Lay Elders Conclusion

The Clergy in Cyprian’s Time

Clerical Offices

Subdeacons, Acolytes, Readers, and Exorcists Deacons Presbyters Bishops

Electing and Rejecting a Bishop Authority of the Bishop Appointment and Discipline of Other Clergy The Martyrs Prophets and Visionaries Lay Elders Apostolic Succession and the Episcopal College

Episcopal Synods Primate Bishops

Conclusion

The Clergy during the Fourth Century

The Donatist Schism Clerical Office Lay Elders Episcopal Synods Orders as a Sacrament Assimilating Schismatic Clergy Conclusion

The Clergy in Augustine’s Time

Clerical Offices

Doorkeepers Acolytes Readers Subdeacons Deacons Presbyters Bishops

Lay Elders The Selection and Ordination of Clergy Clerical Life The Organization of the Episcopate

Provincial Organization Structure of the African Church Disciplining Clerics

The Sacrament of Orders and the Status of the Clergy

The Sacrament of Orders Theology of the Episcopate The Status of the Clergy

Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence Correlation of Theology and Practice

Authority and Power Acceptance of Schismatic Clergy Episcopal College

Conclusion

9. Forms of Christian Life: Marriage, Virginity, and Widowhood

Introduction Marital Practice in Tertullian’s Time

The Rituals Virginity Widowhood Theology of Marriage Conclusion

Marital Practice in Cyprian’s Time

The Rituals Family Life Virginity Widowhood Conclusion

Marital Practice in Augustine’s Time

Forms of Marriage Family Relationships Virginity Widowhood Theology of Marriage

The Unity of Human Society Procreation The Competition of the Ages The Bond of Marriage The Sacrament or Sign

Theology of Virginity Theology of Widowhood Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence Correlation of Theology and Practice

The Bond of Unity and the Generation of Children Integrating Consecrated Virgins into the Church The Changing Status of Widows

Conclusion

10. The Ending of Christian Life: Death and Burial

Introduction The Rituals of Death in Tertullian’s Time

Preparation for Death The Rituals of Burial The Condition of the Dead Conclusion

The Rituals of Death in Cyprian’s Time

Mortality Preparation for Death Burial Mourning and Commemorating the Dead The Condition of the Dead Conclusion

The Rituals of Dying in Augustine’s Time

Mortality Preparation for Death The Funeral Ritual Mourning Tombs The Condition of the Dead Commemoration of the Dead Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence Correlation of Theology and Practice

Prayer for the Dead Tombs and the Resurrection

Transition

11. Honoring the Victorious Heroes: The Cult of the Martyrs

Introduction Martyrs before Systematic Persecution Systematic Persecution in Cyprian’s Time The Diocletian Persecution

Acta and Passiones of the Martyrs Relics Burial ad Sanctos Shrines Dedications Conclusion

The Fifth and Following Centuries

Calendar of Festivals Festivals Purpose of the Cult True and False Martyrs Burial ad Sanctos Miracles at the Shrines Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence Correlation of Theology and Practice

Role of the Martyrs True and False Martyrdom The Martyr’s Victory Adaptation of the Meaning of Witness to Christ

12. Pious Practices of Christian Living

Introduction Praying Together and Alone

Tertullian Cyprian Augustine Conclusion

Controlling Bodily Appetite by Fasting

Tertullian Cyprian Augustine

The Practice of Fasting The Meaning of Fasting

Conclusion

Sharing Property and Income

Tertullian Cyprian Augustine Conclusion

Confessing Christ

Tertullian

Prohibited Practices Accepted Practices Disputed Practices

Cyprian

Prohibited Practices Accepted Practices

Fourth-Century Witnesses Augustine

Disputed Practices Prohibited Practices Recommended Practices

Conclusion

General Observations

Correlation of Archeological and Literary Evidence Correlation of Theology and Practice

Prayer Fasting Almsgiving Confessing Christ

13. The Church and Its Holiness

Introduction Tertullian: Rejecting Idolatry and Adhering to Christ Cyprian: Rejecting Schism in a United Church The Donatists: Rejecting Apostasy in a Pure Church Optatus of Milevis: Divine Operation Sanctifies Christians Augustine: Christ Sanctifies His Ecclesial Body

Controversial Writings Pastoral Writings

Conclusion

Bibliography Index of Persons and Groups Index of Places and Monuments Index of Subjects Inserts

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