Summary
Highlights
The letter from Pliny underscores the widespread nature of early Christianity; he notes that pagan temples were deserted, indicating a significant conversion to the new faith. This segment also introduces the concept of 'Crypto-Christians,' individuals who outwardly conform to another religion while secretly practicing Christianity. The speaker shares contemporary examples of Crypto-Christians in Turkey, illustrating how this hidden faith continues to exist and thrive, often with the clandestine support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The session concludes with a Q&A segment. Topics include the concept of 'theosis' in Orthodox theology, the privacy of public confession, and the distinction between formal ordained deaconesses and the wives of deacons. Questions also arise about the appropriate behavior for Christians visiting non-Christian countries, particularly concerning participation in their religious rituals, and the church's stance on interfaith dialogue and coexistence, as exemplified by the historical presence of a mosque within St. Catherine's Monastery.
The conversation shifts to the decline of Christianity in the West, attributing it to theological innovations and attempts to align with secular society, leading to a 'watered-down' faith. The speaker criticizes a perceived desecration of faith in some Western denominations, citing instances of female bishops and churches embracing secular ideologies. In contrast, he highlights a growing revival of Orthodoxy in Great Britain, where ancient churches are being repurposed for Orthodox worship, demonstrating a return to traditional faith through the rediscovery of early saints.
The speaker introduces the topic by discussing life as a Christian in the first three centuries under the Roman Empire, a period marked by intense persecution. He explains how Christianity was seen as a mysterious, underground religion, leading to much confusion and misconception among Romans. Christians often practiced their faith in secret and were forbidden by bishops from isolating themselves from society, instead being encouraged to live among pagans as a beacon of light.
The discussion focuses on a significant historical document: a letter from Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor, to Emperor Trajan, seeking advice on how to handle Christians. This letter, dating back to 117 AD, is one of the earliest non-Christian accounts of the faith. Pliny reveals his process of interrogating accused Christians, noting their stubbornness and unyielding refusal to renounce Christ, even under torture. He describes how renouncing Christ and offering incense to imperial images or gods was seen as proof of non-Christian identity.
The letter also sheds light on early Christian practices, dispelling rumors, such as the misconception that Christians sacrificed and ate babies, a misinterpretation of the Eucharist. Pliny's report notes that Christians met on a fixed day (Sunday) before dawn to sing hymns to Christ as God, a crucial historical reference to the early belief in Christ's divinity. They also took oaths against fraud, theft, and adultery, and practiced public confession of sins.
Pliny's letter mentions torturing two female slaves identified as deaconesses, leading to a discussion about their role in the early church. Deaconesses were ordained female servants who assisted in administering the Eucharist to home-bound women and played a crucial role in female baptisms, particularly when individuals were baptized naked. The speaker notes that this role gradually faded with the rise of infant baptisms but has recently been reinstated in some Orthodox patriarchates, particularly in Africa, to support missionary work.