Charity Ministries , also called Charity Christian Fellowship , is a Conservative Anabaptist network of churches that was formed in 1982 in Lancaster County , Pennsylvania .
94-690: As with other conservative Anabaptist Christian churches, the Charity Christian Fellowship seeks to emulate early Christianity and practices plain dress , believer's baptism , "feet washing, the devotional head covering, the holy kiss, non-swearing of oaths and practicing Biblical Nonresistance (As described in Matthew 5:45)." Many members of the Charity Christian Fellowship have roots in other Anabaptist denominations that practice plain dress , though their emphasis on evangelism has led to individuals from non-Anabaptist Christian backgrounds becoming
188-666: A Doctor of the Church , often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption because of his writings on the Assumption of Mary. Those fathers who wrote in Latin are called the Latin (Church) Fathers. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus ( c. 155 – c. 222 ), who was converted to Christianity before 197, was a prolific writer of apologetic, theological, controversial and ascetic works. He
282-684: A "scarf, bonnet, or cap" and "wear long-sleeved, long dresses". Most Quakers these days wear simple, practical, unpretentious modern clothes. Early Methodists wore plain dress, with Methodist clergy condemning "high headdresses, ruffles, laces, gold, and 'costly apparel' in general". John Wesley , the founder of the Methodist movement, recommended that Methodists read his thoughts On Dress , in which he detailed acceptable types and colors of fabrics, in addition to "shapes and sizes of hats, coats, sleeves, and hairstyles"; in that sermon, John Wesley expressed his desire for Methodists: "Let me see, before I die,
376-477: A Christian Platonism and has been described by scholars as "the founder of what was to become the great tradition of Christian philosophical theology." Due to his teaching on salvation and divine judgement in passages such as Paedagogus 1.8 and Stromata 7.2, Clement is often regarded as one of the first Christian universalists . Like Origen, he arose from the Catechetical School of Alexandria and
470-517: A Methodist congregation, full as plain dressed as a Quaker congregation." He also taught, with respect to headcovering, that women, "especially in a religious assembly", should "keep on her veil". Those who tried to attend Methodist services in costly apparel were denied admittance. Wesley's teaching was based on his interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9–10 and 1 Peter 3:3–4 , which he stated led him to conclude that "expensive clothes puff up their wearers, promote vanity, incite anger, inflame lust, retard
564-446: A concubine and became a Manichean . He later converted to Christianity, became a bishop, and opposed heresies, such as Pelagianism . His many works—including The Confessions , which is often called the first Western autobiography —have been read continuously since his lifetime. The Catholic religious order, the Order of Saint Augustine , adopted his name and way of life. Augustine is also
658-590: A constant spirit in the truth and plainness. This classical Quaker belief practice continues to be maintained by Conservative Friends , as well as the Holiness Friends . For Conservative Friends, plain dress for men usually includes "a broad-brimmed felt or straw hat, trousers with suspenders instead of a belt, and muted colors in the fabrics: blacks, whites, greys, browns", sometimes with "broad-fall trouser cuts". Quaker men traditionally are clean-shaven . Conservative Quaker women practice headcovering by wearing
752-539: A distinction between the Father and the Son (a distinction that Nicea had been accused of blurring) but at the same time insisting on their essential unity. John Chrysostom ( c. 347 – c. 407 ), archbishop of Constantinople , is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking ; his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, recorded sermons and writings making him
846-586: A glorious priviledge to meet their presiding elder, and the rest of the preachers. They could, nearly every soul of them, sing our hymns and spiritual songs. They religiously kept the Sabbath day: many of them abstained from dram-drinking, not because the temperance reformation was ever heard of in that day, but because it was interdicted in the General Rules of our Discipline. The Methodists of that day stood up and faced their preacher when they sung; they kneedled down in
940-443: A headcovering, as well as long skirts or dresses; men wear contemporary clothes of a modest nature. As a part of their testimony of simplicity , Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) traditionally wore plain dress; "Ruffles and lace and other forms of ornamentation, as well as unnecessary cuffs and collars and lapels and buttons, were forbidden." George Fox implored fellow Quakers to wear plain dress: Friends, keep out of
1034-461: A hierarchical structure in the Trinity , the temporality of matter, "the fabulous preexistence of souls", and "the monstrous restoration which follows from it." These alleged "Origenist errors" were declared anathema by a council in 553, three centuries after Origen had died in the peace of the church. Athanasius of Alexandria ( c. 293 – 373) was a theologian, Pope of Alexandria , and
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#17328451422181128-491: A ministry of Faith Christian Fellowship, resumed the publication. In the latter part of the 2010s, a number of conservative Charity congregations grouped together as the Agape Christian Fellowship. The Charity churches profess to be Conservative Anabaptist in doctrine. The churches of the network resemble Conservative Mennonites in many ways. Members wear plain dress , with women observing plain dress through
1222-659: A noted Egyptian leader of the 4th century. He is remembered for his role in the conflict with Arianism and for his affirmation of the Trinity. At the First Council of Nicaea (325), Athanasius argued against the Arian doctrine that Christ is of a distinct substance from the Father. The Cappadocian Fathers are Basil the Great (330–379), who was bishop of Caesarea ; Basil's younger brother Gregory of Nyssa ( c. 332 – 395), who
1316-569: A part of the Charity Christian Fellowship as well. In 1982, individuals with roots in different Plain Anabaptist groups met in New Holland in order to form a church that would recapture the zeal of early Christianity and the tenets of the Anabaptist movement of the 16th century. Mose Stoltzfus, an ex-Amish (1946–2020), and Denny Kenaston, an ex-Baptist (1949–2012), were the main leaders of
1410-406: A peaceful shelter for their mother. Abbess Macrina fostered the education and development of her three brothers Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebaste ( c. 340 – 391) who became bishop of Sebaste. These scholars set out to demonstrate that Christians could hold their own in conversations with learned Greek-speaking intellectuals. They argued that Christian faith, while it
1504-468: A persecution. He later became a controversial figure and some of his writings were condemned as heretical. Using his knowledge of Hebrew, he produced a corrected Septuagint . He wrote commentaries on all the books of the Bible. In Peri Archon ( First Principles ), he articulated a systematic philosophical exposition of Christian doctrine. He at times employed an allegorical hermeneutic in his interpretation of
1598-693: A simple, unadorned dress of modest length". The Church Manual of the Seventh-day Adventist Church teaches "To dress plainly, and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith." Adherents of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have historically not worn wedding rings. Other groups adhering to a conservative dress code include Buddhist and Christian monks , Orthodox Jews , and more conservative Muslims such as Salafis , but these forms of dress normally are not called "plain dress". Plain dress
1692-451: A synod at Constantinople on a question which concerned the see of Bostra in the patriarchate of Antioch. While there, Theodore had the opportunity to preach before the emperor Theodosius I , who was then starting for his last journey to the West. The sermon made a deep impression, and Theodosius, who had sat at the feet of Ambrose and Gregory Nazianzus , declared that he had never met with such
1786-625: A teacher (John of Antioch, ap. Facund. ii.2). Theodosius II inherited his grandfather's respect for Theodore, and often wrote to him. Another glimpse of Theodore's episcopal life is supplied by a letter of Chrysostom to him from Cucusus (AD 404–407) (Chrys. Ep. 212). The exiled patriarch "can never forget the love of Theodore, so genuine and warm, so sincere and guileless, a love maintained from early years, and manifested but now." Chrysostom (Ep. 204) thanks him profoundly for frequent though ineffectual efforts to obtain his release, and praises their friendship in such glowing terms that Theodore's enemies at
1880-586: A tradition carried on by those in the conservative holiness movement , such as communicants of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection and Evangelical Wesleyan Church , as well as some Holiness Pentecostal denominations in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. The Church of God (Restoration) also observes plain dress. Adventists wear plain dress as taught by the founder of that faith Ellen White , who asked that they "adopt
1974-404: Is a practice among some religious groups, primarily some Christian churches in which people dress in clothes of traditional modest design, sturdy fabric, and conservative cut. It is intended to show acceptance of traditional gender roles, modesty, and readiness to work and serve, and to preserve communal identity and separation from the ever-changing fashions of the world. For men, this often takes
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#17328451422182068-436: Is also practiced by Conservative Friends and Holiness Friends (Quakers), in which it is part of their testimony of simplicity , as well as Old Regular Baptists , Plymouth Brethren , Cooperites and fundamentalist Mormon subgroups. Among traditional Anabaptist groups, plain dress is an expression of their beliefs regarding modesty and veiling , as well as nonconformity to the world —which they see as consistent with
2162-484: Is anachronistic due to his use of the Psogos. The Psogos, along with the encomium, were both rhetorical techniques used in the ancient world in a polemical context. With the encomium "one passes over a man's faults in order to praise him, and in a psogos, one passed over his virtues to defame him. Such principles are explicit in the handbooks of the rhetors, but an interesting passage from the church historian Socrates, writing in
2256-439: Is attributed to reasons of theology and sociology . In general, plain dress involves the covering of much of the body (often including the head, forearms and calves), with minimal ornamentation, rejecting jewelry and sometimes print fabrics, trims, and fasteners. Non-essential elements of garments such as neckties, collars, and lapels may be minimized or omitted. Practical garments such as aprons and shawls may be layered over
2350-556: Is best known as the translator of the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin. He also was a Christian apologist. Jerome's edition of the Bible, the Vulgate , is still an important text of Catholicism . He is recognised by the Catholic Church as a Doctor of the Church. Augustine (354–430), Bishop of Hippo, was a philosopher and theologian. Augustine, a Latin Father and Doctor of the Church,
2444-528: Is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity . In his early life, Augustine read widely in Greco-Roman rhetoric and philosophy, including the works of Platonists such as Plotinus . He framed the concepts of original sin and just war as they are understood in the West. When Rome fell and the faith of many Christians was shaken, Augustine wrote The City of God , in which he defended Christianity from pagan critics and developed
2538-414: Is prohibited to expose the ankle, but because it has been enjoined that the head should be veiled and the face covered; for it is a wicked thing for beauty to be a snare to men. — Paedagogus In plain communities, women wear Christian headcoverings in keeping with the teaching of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:5–6 , as well as that of the early Church Fathers. The practice is generally found among
2632-607: Is recorded that he had been a disciple of "John". The options/possibilities for this John are John, the son of Zebedee , traditionally viewed as the author of the Gospel of John , or John the Presbyter . Traditional advocates follow Eusebius of Caesarea in insisting that the apostolic connection of Polycarp was with John the Evangelist and that he was the author of the Gospel of John, and thus
2726-455: Is sometimes hard to find as the clothing market is dictated by fashion-conscious people who consider plain dress dull. Dressing heroines in Victorian literature in plain dress is often assumed to be a way of making characters appear classless and sexless. Others argue that authors like Charlotte Brontë , George Eliot , and Anthony Trollope use plain dress to highlight the marriageability of
2820-852: Is the earliest extant epistle from a Church Father. In the epistle, Clement calls on the Christians of Corinth to maintain harmony and order. Copied and widely read in the Early Church , First Clement had been considered by some as part of the New Testament canon , e.g., listed as canonical in Canon 85 of the Canons of the Apostles , among other early canons of the New Testament, showing that it had canonical rank in at least some regions of early Christendom. As late as
2914-528: The Bible and teachings of the early Church Fathers . Plain, simple and serviceable gender-identifying dress is governed by an unwritten code of conduct, called " ordnung " among Anabaptists, which is strictly adhered to by Amish, Old Order Mennonites, and conservative Brethren. Many Apostolic Lutherans also wear plain dress. Members of the Moravian Church traditionally wore plain dress. Historically, Methodists were known for wearing plain dress,
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3008-570: The FLDS wear plain dress, referring both to Biblical and unique Latter Day Saint Scriptures , such as the Book of Alma and the Doctrine and Covenants , which states, "Thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty of the work of thine own hands" (42:40). Plain dress may establish a sense of belonging within the community while also marking the group's members as different in
3102-521: The canon of the New Testament once it reached its final form. Many of the writings derive from the same time period and geographical location as other works of early Christian literature that did come to be part of the New Testament, and some of the writings found among the Apostolic Fathers' seem to have been just as highly regarded as some of the writings that became the New Testament. The first three, Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp, are considered
3196-547: The sacraments , the role of bishops , and the incarnation of Christ . Specifically, concerning ecclesiology, his letter to the Romans is often cited as a testament to the universal bounds of the Roman church. He is the second after Clement to mention Paul's epistles. Polycarp of Smyrna ( c. 69 – c. 155 ) was a Christian bishop of Smyrna (now İzmir in Turkey). It
3290-684: The "Father of the Latin Church". He was evidently a lawyer in Rome. He is said to have introduced the Latin term trinitas with regard to the Divine ( Trinity ) to the Christian vocabulary (but Theophilus of Antioch had already written of "the Trinity, of God, and His Word, and His Wisdom", which is similar but not identical to the Trinitarian wording), and also probably the formula "three Persons, one Substance" as
3384-471: The 14th century Ibn Khaldun mentions it as part of the New Testament. Ignatius of Antioch (also known as Theophorus) ( c. 35 – c. 110 ) was the third bishop of Antioch , and was said to be a student of the Apostle John . En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters which have been preserved. Important topics addressed in these letters include ecclesiology ,
3478-605: The Apostle John. Polycarp tried and failed to persuade Pope Anicetus to have the West celebrate Passover on the 14th of Nisan , as in the Eastern calendar. Around AD 155, the Smyrnans of his town demanded Polycarp's execution as a Christian, and he died a martyr . The story of his martyrdom describes how the fire built around him would not burn him, and that when he was stabbed to death, so much blood issued from his body that it quenched
3572-593: The Catholic Church. Chrysostom is also noted for eight of his sermons that played a considerable part in the history of Christian antisemitism , diatribes against Judaizers composed while a presbyter in Antioch, which were extensively exploited and misused by the Nazis in their ideological campaign against the Jews. Patristic scholars such as Robert L Wilken point out that applying modern understandings of antisemitism back to Chrysostom
3666-535: The Chalcedonian position that Jesus had both a human and a divine will. Maximus is venerated in both Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity. His Christological positions eventually resulted in his torture and exile, soon after which he died; however, his theology was vindicated by the Third Council of Constantinople , and he was venerated as a saint soon after his death. His feast day is celebrated twice during
3760-625: The Gospels of Matthew , Mark , Luke and John all be accepted as canonical . Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) was the first member of the church of Alexandria whose writings have survived, and was one of its most distinguished teachers. He saw wisdom in Greek philosophy and sought to harmonize it with Christian doctrine. Clement opposed Gnosticism , and yet used some of its terminology; for instance, he valued gnosis that with communion for all people could be held by common Christians. He developed
3854-613: The Greek (Church) Fathers. In addition to the Apostolic Fathers, famous Greek Fathers include: Justin Martyr , Irenaeus of Lyons , Clement of Alexandria , Athanasius of Alexandria , the Cappadocian Fathers ( Basil of Caesarea , Gregory Nazianzus , Gregory of Nyssa ), Peter of Sebaste , Diodorus of Tarsus , Theodore of Mopsuestia , John Chrysostom , Cyril of Alexandria , Maximus the Confessor , and John of Damascus . Justin Martyr
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3948-503: The Latin " tres Personae , una Substantia " (itself from the Koine Greek "τρεῖς ὑποστάσεις, ὁμοούσιος; treís hypostasis , Homoousios "), and also the terms vetus testamentum ( Old Testament ) and novum testamentum ( New Testament ). In his Apologeticus , he was the first Latin author who qualified Christianity as the vera religio , and systematically relegated the classical Roman imperial religion and other accepted cults to
4042-571: The Methodists had dressed in the same "superfluity of naughtiness" then as they do now, there were very few even out of the Church that would have had any confidence in their religion. But O, how have things changed for the worse in this educational age of the world! While few wear plain dress in mainline Methodism today, Methodist Churches of the conservative holiness movement , such as the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection and Evangelical Wesleyan Church , continue to dress plainly, also avoiding
4136-457: The Old Testament, and was partly influenced by Stoic , Neo-Pythagorean , and Platonist thought. Like Plotinus , he has been thought to believe that the soul passes through successive stages before incarnation as a human and after death, eventually reaching God. However, more recent scholarship has concluded that Origen actually denied the preexistence of disembodied souls, and simply taught
4230-659: The Romans, "Be not conformed to this world ," as one Biblical basis for their distinctive dress. Other scripture passages counsel women to wear head coverings while praying ( 1 Corinthians 11:5 ), not to cut their hair ( 1 Corinthians 11:14–15 ), and for men not to shave or cut their beards ( Leviticus 19:27 ). The rejection of extravagant clothing is further established in 1 Timothy 2:9–10 : [T]hat women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Some Mormon Fundamentalist groups such as
4324-526: The Son is of like substance with the Father ( homoiousios ), as against the outright Arians who taught that the Son was unlike the Father ( heterousian ). So the Son was held to be like the Father but not of the same essence as the Father. The Cappadocians worked to bring these semi-Arians back to the Orthodox cause. In their writings they made extensive use of the formula "three substances ( hypostases ) in one essence ( homoousia )", and thus explicitly acknowledged
4418-527: The US and around 500 baptized members. Around the year 2000 there were 24 congregations in the network in fifteen states of the US, mainly in Pennsylvania and Ohio . There were 1,467 members and an estimated total population including children and young adults not yet baptized of 2,787 people. In 2012 there were 41 congregations with 2,232 members associated with Charity Ministries. Plain dress Plain dress
4512-526: The basic ensemble. Plain dress garments are often handmade and may be produced by groups of women in the community for efficiency and to ensure uniformity of style. Plain dress practices can extend to the grooming of hair and beards and may vary somewhat to allow children and older people more latitude. In plain communities, women traditionally wear Christian headcoverings in keeping with the teaching of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:5–6 . Within these general practices, distinctions abound. Among some groups,
4606-579: The case with the Lacedaemonian virgins; nor is it becoming for any part of a woman to be exposed. Though you may with great propriety use the language addressed to him who said, "Your arm is beautiful; yes, but it is not for the public gaze. Your thighs are beautiful but, was the reply, for my husband alone. And your face is comely. Yes; but only for him who has married me." But I do not wish chaste women to afford cause for such praises to those who, by praises, hunt after grounds of censure; and not only because it
4700-421: The character, sexualizing her by emphasizing the female body within. Additionally, plain dress may signify a character's rejection of societal norms and willingness to leave the household to act on her desires. Early Church Fathers The Church Fathers , Early Church Fathers , Christian Fathers , or Fathers of the Church were ancient and influential Christian theologians and writers who established
4794-525: The chief ones. Clement of Rome (also known as Pope Clement I) was a late 1st-century bishop of Rome who, according to Tertullian , was ordained by St. Peter . According to Irenaeus , Clement was the fourth bishop of Rome after Anacletus . Eusebius described him as the "co-laborer" of Paul and identified him with the Clement mentioned in Philippians 4:3 . The First Epistle of Clement ( c. 96 )
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#17328451422184888-478: The concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God , distinct from the material City of Man. Augustine's work defined the start of the medieval worldview , an outlook that would later be firmly established by Pope Gregory the Great . Augustine was born in present-day Algeria to a Christian mother, Monica of Hippo . He was educated in North Africa and resisted his mother's pleas to become Christian. He took
4982-620: The debates of the Council of Chalcedon , the fourth ecumenical council . Gregory I the Great ( c. 540 – 604) was pope from 3 September 590 until his death. He is also known as Gregorius Dialogus ( Gregory the Dialogist ) in Eastern Orthodoxy because of the Dialogues he wrote. He was the first of the popes from a monastic background. Gregory is a Doctor of the Church and one of
5076-534: The development of later Christian theology, but certain elements of their teaching were later condemned. The Apostolic Fathers were Christian theologians who lived in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, who are believed to have personally known some of the Twelve Apostles , or to have been significantly influenced by them. Their writings, though popular in Early Christianity , were ultimately not included in
5170-541: The early development of Christian theology, and he is recognized as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. He was a notable early Christian apologist . He was also a disciple of Polycarp. In his best-known book, Against Heresies (c. 180) he enumerated heresies and attacked them. Irenaeus wrote that the only way for Christians to retain unity was to humbly accept one doctrinal authority—episcopal councils. Irenaeus proposed that
5264-597: The fifth Ecumenical Council made unsuccessful efforts to deny the identity of Chrysostom's correspondent with the bishop of Mopsuestia. Cyril of Alexandria ( c. 378 – 444) was the Bishop of Alexandria when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire . Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the late 4th and early 5th centuries. He
5358-442: The flames around him. Very little is known of Papias apart from what can be inferred from his own writings. He is described as "an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp" by Polycarp's disciple Irenaeus ( c. 180 ). Eusebius adds that Papias was Bishop of Hierapolis around the time of Ignatius of Antioch . In this office, Papias was presumably succeeded by Abercius of Hierapolis . The name Papias
5452-665: The following Anabaptist branches: Amish (Old Order Amish, New Order Amish , Kauffman Amish Mennonites , Beachy Amish Mennonites ), Para-Amish ( Believers in Christ , Vernon Community , Caneyville Christian Community ), Mennonites ( Old Order Mennonites , Conservative Mennonites , traditional "Russian" Mennonites ), Hutterites , the Bruderhof , Schwarzenau Brethren ( Old Brethren , Old German Baptist Brethren, New Conference , Dunkard Brethren ), and River Brethren ( Old Order River Brethren and Calvary Holiness Church ). Plain dress
5546-554: The form of trousers secured by suspenders, while for women, plain dress usually takes the form of a cape dress along with a headcovering (normatively a kapp or an opaque hanging veil ). Christian denominations that observe the wearing of plain dress, such as the Schwarzenau Brethren Anabaptists, do so because Jesus “condemned anxious thought for raiment” in Matthew 6:25–33 and Luke 12:22–31 . They teach that
5640-708: The hair, and wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel." Certain Holiness Pentecostal denominations enjoin dress standards for their members; the Calvary Holiness Association , a Holiness Pentecostal denomination, teaches: We urge people to dress with simplicity and modesty, as becometh holiness. Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God, of greater price (I Peter 3:3-4; I Tim. 2:9). We consider wearing shorts, bathing suits, ladies' pants, makeup and men without shirts immodest. Plain dressing Christians cite Paul's advice to
5734-470: The headcovering worn by women is lacy or translucent; in others, it must be opaque. The traditional plain dress worn by the Anabaptists and other religious groups has long sleeves with a set waist, long skirt, and no adornment. It denotes "utility, modesty, long wear and inconspicuousness", does not display any trademark, and is not dictated by fashion trends. Shawl, aprons, bonnets and cap are part of plain dress. Clothing worn by Bruderhof women includes
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#17328451422185828-425: The heresies of Apollinarianism and Macedonianism, and sent legates (papal representatives) to the First Council of Constantinople that was convoked in 381 to address these heresies. He also wrote in defense of the Roman See's authority, and inaugurated use of Latin in the Mass , instead of the Koine Greek that was still being used throughout the Church in the west in the liturgy. Jerome ( c. 347 – 420)
5922-412: The intellectual and doctrinal foundations of Christianity . The historical period in which they worked became known as the Patristic Era and spans approximately from the late 1st to mid-8th centuries, flourishing in particular during the 4th and 5th centuries, when Christianity was in the process of establishing itself as the state church of the Roman Empire . For many denominations of Christianity,
6016-429: The knee-buckled small clothes, the broad, round-toed shoe, were consistent characteristics of a Moravian brother; whilst the plain drab or black silk bonnet, the three-corned white kerchief, the plain silk gown (Sunday dress), the comfortable hood-finished cloack, the "stuff" shoe, for comfort and convenience, were the sisters' concession to St. Peter's advice, "whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting
6110-736: The maintenance of their Christian profession wherever they may be." The 1859 novel Adam Bede portrayed the Methodist itinerant preacher , Dinah Morris , wearing plain dress, with the words "I saw she was a Methodist, or Quaker, or something of that sort, by her dress". Peter Cartwright , a Methodist revivalist , lamented the decline of wearing plain dress among Methodists, stating: The Methodists in that early day dressed plain; attended their meetings faithfully, especially preaching, prayer and class meetings; they wore no jewelry, no ruffles; they would frequently walk three or four miles to class-meetings and home again, on Sundays; they would go thirty or forty miles to their quarterly meetings, and think it
6204-500: The mid-fifth century, shows that the rules for invective were simply taken for granted by men and women of the late Roman world." Chrysostom's sermons along with Basil the Great's have greatly influenced the Christian Church's understanding of economic and distributive justice for the poor, being cited extensively by the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as Pope Francis in his own sermons critiquing modern-day forms of capitalism. Theodore of Mopsuestia ( c. 350 – 428 )
6298-410: The most prolific of the eastern fathers, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death (or according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos , meaning "golden mouthed", rendered in English as Chrysostom. Chrysostom is known within Christianity chiefly as a preacher and theologian, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church; he is the patron saint of orators in
6392-432: The new church. In the early years it was more of a spiritual movement than a church. In the late 1980s, a tape ministry was started as well as an organization for foreign missions. A publication called The Heartbeat of the Remnant , short The Remnant , was started in 1994. In 2011 its publication was transferred to its affiliated Ephrata Ministries and in summer 2013 its publication was stopped. In 2016 The Berean Voice,
6486-406: The patron saint of many institutions and a number have been named after him. Pope Leo I ( c. 400 – 461) was pope from 29 September 440 until his death. He was active in defending the Latin Church against the threat of schism associated with Monophysitism , Miaphysitism and Dyophysitism , most remembered theologically for issuing the Tome of Leo , a document which was a major foundation to
6580-438: The position of mere "superstitions". He used the early church's symbol for fish—the Greek word for "fish" being ΙΧΘΥΣ , which is an acronym for Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour)—to explain the meaning of baptism, since fish are born in water. He wrote that human beings are like little fish. Cyprian ( c. 200 – 258) was bishop of Carthage and an important early Christian writer. He
6674-432: The preexistence of individuals' logoi in the mind of God. Yet Origen did suggest, based on 1 Corinthians 15:22–28, that all creatures, possibly including even the fallen angels, will eventually be restored and reunited to God when evil is finally eradicated. For Origen, God was the First Principle , and Christ , the Logos through whom salvation is accomplished. Origen's various writings were interpreted by some to imply
6768-458: The public congregation as well as elsewhere, when the preacher said, "Let us pray." There was no standing among the members in time of prayer, especially the abominable practice of sitting down during that exercise was unknown among early Methodists. Parents did not allow their children to go to balls or plays; they did not send them to dancing schools; they generally fasted once a week, and almost universally on Friday before each quarterly meeting. If
6862-559: The pursuit of holiness, and steal from God and the poor." The 1858 Discipline of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection stated that "we would not only enjoin on all who fear God plain dress, but we would recommend to our preachers and people, according to Mr. Wesley's views expressed in his sermon on the inefficiency of Christianity, published but a few years before his death, and containing his matured judgment, distinguishing plainness— Plainness which will publicly comment them to
6956-442: The vain fashions of the world; let not your eyes, minds, and spirits run after every fashion (in attire) of the nations; for that will lead you from the solid life into unity with that spirit that leads to follow the fashions of the nations, after every fashion of apparel that gets up: but mind that which is sober and modest, and keep to your plain fashions, that you may judge the world's vanity and spirit, in its vain fashions, and show
7050-414: The wearing of jewelry (inclusive of wedding rings). The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches , which continues to observe the ordinance of women's headcovering, stipulates "renouncing all vain pomp and glory" and "adorning oneself with modest attire." Historically, members of the Moravian Church wore plain dress: Their strait, unlapelled, dark brown coat, the broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat,
7144-399: The wearing of plain dress is scripturally commanded in 1 Timothy 2:9–10 , 1 Peter 3:3–5 , and 1 Corinthians 11:5–6 , in addition to being taught by the early Church Fathers : As, then, in the fashioning of our clothes, we must keep clear of all strangeness, so in the use of them we must beware of extravagance. For neither is it seemly for the clothes to be above the knee, as they say was
7238-455: The wearing of the cape dress with a head covering in the form of a hanging veil . Believer's baptism by immersion, Foot washing and the Holy Kiss are practiced. Non-swearing of oaths and opposition to military service is also mandatory. They also place a strong emphasis on evangelism towards other Anabaptist and non-Anabaptist groups. In 1993 there were nine churches in eight states of
7332-473: The wider society. Some practitioners describe their dress as a protection from unwanted attention. Quaker minister Elizabeth Fry considered her plain dress to serve as "a hedge against the world", and "a sort of protector". Marketing through the internet has these sites which propagate plain dress: "Quaker Jane", "Plain and Simple Headcoverings", "Rachel's Seamstress Services" and "Mennonite Maidens". Simple dress, considered "sensible and useful" and necessary,
7426-651: The writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers , Nicene Fathers and Post-Nicene Fathers are included in Sacred Tradition . As such, in traditional dogmatic theology, authors considered Church Fathers are treated as authoritative for the establishment of doctrine. The academic field of patristics , the study of the Church Fathers, has extended the scope of the term, and there is no definitive list. Some, such as Origen and Tertullian , made major contributions to
7520-685: The year: on 21 January and on 13 August. His title of Confessor means that he suffered for the faith, but not to the point of death, and thus is distinguished from a martyr. His Life of the Virgin is thought to be the earliest complete biography of Mary, the mother of Jesus. John of Damascus ( c. 676 – 749) was a Syrian Christian monk, priest, hymnographer and apologist. Born and raised in Damascus , he died at his monastery, Mar Saba , near Jerusalem. A polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, he
7614-675: Was Bishop of Poitiers and is a Doctor of the Church. He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" ( Latin : Malleus Arianorum ) and the "Athanasius of the West." His name comes from the Graeco-Latin word for happy or cheerful. His optional memorial in the General Roman Calendar is 13 January. In the past, when this date was occupied by the Octave Day of the Epiphany, his feast day
7708-442: Was a Christian theologian, and Bishop of Mopsuestia (as Theodore II) from 392 to 428 AD. He is also known as Theodore of Antioch, from the place of his birth and presbyterate. He is the best known representative of the middle Antioch School of hermeneutics . He is known to be a prolific writer and exegete with strong emphases on the literal, historical and rational interpretation of Christian scriptures. Throughout his lifetime, he
7802-559: Was a central figure in the First Council of Ephesus in 431, which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople . Cyril's reputation within the Christian world has resulted in his titles "Pillar of Faith" and "Seal of all the Fathers". Maximus the Confessor (also known as Maximus the Theologian and Maximus of Constantinople) ( c. 580 – 662) was a Christian monk, theologian, and scholar. In his early life, he
7896-548: Was a civil servant and an aide to the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius ; however, he gave up this life in the political sphere to enter into the monastic life. After moving to Carthage , Maximus studied several Neo-Platonist writers and became a prominent author. When one of his friends began espousing the Christological position known as Monothelitism , Maximus was drawn into the controversy, in which he supported
7990-593: Was against many of the ideas of Plato and Aristotle (and other Greek philosophers), was an almost scientific and distinctive movement with the healing of the soul of man and his union with God at its center. They made major contributions to the definition of the Trinity finalized at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 and the final version of the Nicene Creed . Subsequent to the First Council of Nicea, Arianism did not simply disappear. The semi-Arians taught that
8084-715: Was an early Christian apologist , and is regarded as the foremost interpreter of the theory of the Logos in the 2nd century. He was martyred , alongside some of his students, and is considered a saint by the Catholic Church , Anglicanism , the Eastern Orthodox Church , and the Oriental Orthodox Churches . Irenaeus was bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul , which is now Lyon (s), France. His writings were formative in
8178-462: Was bishop of Nyssa ; and a close friend, Gregory of Nazianzus (329–389), who became Patriarch of Constantinople . The Cappadocians promoted early Christian theology and are highly respected in both Western and Eastern churches as saints. They were a 4th-century monastic family, led by Macrina the Younger (324–379) to provide a central place for her brothers to study and meditate, and also to provide
8272-591: Was born in North Africa , probably at the beginning of the 3rd century, perhaps at Carthage, where he received an excellent classical ( pagan ) education. After converting to Christianity, he became a bishop and eventually died a martyr at Carthage. He emphasized the necessity of the unity of Christians with their bishops, and also the authority of the Roman See, which he claimed was the source of "priestly unity"'. Hilary of Poitiers ( c. 300 – c. 368 )
8366-541: Was born in Carthage, the son of a Roman centurion. Tertullian denounced Christian doctrines he considered heretical, such as allowing widows to remarry and permitting Christians to flee from persecution, but later in life adopted Montanism , regarded as heretical by the mainstream Church, which prevented his canonization. He wrote three books in Greek and was the first great writer of Latin Christianity, thus sometimes known as
8460-474: Was given the by-name of Chrysorrhoas (Χρυσορρόας, literally "streaming with gold", i.e. "the golden speaker"). He wrote numerous works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still used both liturgically in Eastern Christian practice throughout the world as well as in western Lutheranism at Easter. He was particularly known for his defense of icons . The Catholic Church regards him as
8554-631: Was hailed as one of the outstanding, prolific biblical theologians and staunch defender of Christ's humanity. More than a century after his death, he was condemned in person in the Chalcedonian Church at the Second Council of Constantinople . However he continues to be recognised as a Greek Doctor in the Church of the East, which honours him with the title 'Theodore the Interpreter'. In 394, he attended
8648-464: Was moved to 14 January. Ambrose was an archbishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was a governor before becoming bishop. He is counted as one of the four original doctors of the Church. He offered a new perspective on the theory of atonement . Pope Damasus I (305–384) was active in defending the Catholic Church against the threat of schisms. In two Roman synods (368 and 369) he condemned
8742-761: Was very common in the region, suggesting that he was probably a native of the area. The work of Papias is dated by most modern scholars to about AD 95–120. Despite indications that the work of Papias was still extant in the Late Middle Ages , the full text is now lost; however, extracts appear in a number of other writings, some of which cite a book number. Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: Those who wrote in Greek are called
8836-612: Was well-versed in pagan and biblical literature. Origen, or Origen Adamantius ( c. 185 – c. 254 ) was a scholar and theologian. According to tradition, he was an Egyptian who taught in Alexandria, reviving the Catechetical School where Clement had taught. The patriarch of Alexandria at first supported Origen but later expelled him for being ordained without the patriarch's permission. He relocated to Caesarea Maritima and died there after being tortured during
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