A Brief History: Ireland and Christianity Author of the Book Monastery and High Cross The Forgotten Eastern Roots of Irish Christianity by Connie Marshner Since the turn of the twenty-first century, there has been a heightened fascination with “Celtic Christianity,” construed by some as a spirituality of semi-pagan sensibilities — without rules, never united with Rome, and aligned with ecological and feminist concerns. Celtic prayers and “Celtic liturgies” continue to be fashionable in certain circles. This groundbreaking book presents a comprehensive authentic history of Christianity in Ireland in late antiquity for the first time. It is a little-known fact that there were Christians in Ireland before St. Patrick. In 2006, an astonishing discovery was made in Ireland. Found by accident in a peat bog was an early medieval Irish manuscript with Egyptian papyrus in the binding of the manuscript! How did that get there? This is tangible proof that Egyptian monks were in Ireland in the days of Late Antiquity — proof of what art historians had long believed and archaeologists had recently concluded. This easily read book documents art, architecture, monastic traditions, manuscript writing, and liturgy from the time of the earliest Christians in Ireland — and finds the evidence of influence from Egypt and Armenia. As you read about the origins and legacy of the first Christians in Ireland, you will learn: How the faith actually came to Ireland and who visited the Emerald Isle, according to artifacts left behind Where the first Christians in Ireland came from (you will be surprised!) and how they lived the Faith Who wrote the earliest non-liturgical hymns to Mary in Western Europe How great devotion to the Holy Eucharist there led to the construction of the first tabernacle The identity of the real St. Patrick For centuries, scholars denied the possibility of links between Ireland and the Mediterranean. However, some early Irish practices and customs were known only in the Mediterranean and not in Europe. For instance, author Connie Marshner reveals how Irish monasticism — which eventually led to the Sacrament of Confession as we know it — came from Egypt. She rediscovers magnificent hymns and prayers to Mary — the earliest ever written. Additionally, she unveils the development of the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical prayers in Irish history, with roots in Eastern Christianity. Monastery and High Cross presents convincing evidence that the earliest Christians in Ireland came from the Mediterranean and brought with them deep asceticism, fervent devotion to the Mother of God, and the Gallican liturgy — along with beehive huts, high crosses, and manuscript decoration. Careful footnotes and a collection of resources are presented for further exploration.
Thanks for sharing, I look forward to watching this later. A lot of our history has been erased and modified, it is very hard for us today to have certainty of events of the past. It's nice to find people who are exploring this stuff in the Church.
This is wonderful. And completely rational. It rings true. We have two quite ancient Copic crosses from Egypt that my husband brought back from his travels almost 60 years ago and they look very very much like Celtic crosses. There is no question that Irish Catholicism is deeply mystical in a way quite different from European/ Roman practice. I can't wait to listen to this talk.
Egypt: Our Lady of Zeitoun was like Our Lady of Knock ~ both were silent Armenia: wow. No explanation required...... The courses offered at our local universities on Celtic Christianity, from what I've read, go along with the semi-pagan ideas...... Looking forward to the talk, and reading the book as well. Help apparently did, and still does, come from the East ~
I read a book that compared early irish hermits to the desert fathers in their asceticism and long-suffering. Irish nature seems so beautiful, a lot of green
A question......This book mentioned on the forum awhile back, Monastery and High Cross The Forgotten Eastern Roots of Irish Christianity by Connie Marshner was a real "dot connector" for me, especially in explaining the recent (for myself, anyway) interest in the Eastern Church.....One thing Ms. Marshner never really touched upon was the incursion into Ireland by John DeCourcy, who supposedly funded the beginnings of the monasteries, if I understand correctly. But the whole story of that invasion is very sketchy, given his actions were allegedly given the ok by the Pope of the day, who happened to be English.......and King Henry II, Catholic, didn't really seem to mind as there was much wealth to be pillaged......Ireland's connection to the monastic spirituality of the East was then more or less wiped out......and replaced by the spirituality of the West..... Could this have been a prior swing of the ax to Henry VIII's by the "mystery of iniquity" ? I'm still searching out more info on all this ~ the generational/spiritual impact of this is of interest, imho.
Thanks LMF, you're very welcome. I haven't watched it all yet, it's quite long, but glad you found it of interest too. The premise of the book and this talk is fascinating.
Not sure about that, I need to research more about John De Courcy. However, I think his nemesis, another Norman called Strongbow or Richard de Clare had a run in with one of my ancient ancestors, the latter of whom was duly defeated, whereupon his head was removed, brought back to Dublin and placed upon a spike at Dublin Castle for all to behold. No grudges held for my Norman compatriots however.
"No grudges held" is the way! When reading about the past in respect to ancestors, especially the hard fought battles, the betrayals, the victories, it's not too difficult to see how the effects of these things filter down thru the generations, especially when it comes to holding grudges or even anger or kindness. For example, sometimes you may meet a person and take an instant dislike for no known reason whatsoever, as you've just met them. Could it be some kind of animosity passed down thru a forgotten ancestral connection? While I understand the Church has never really spoken in regard to the spiritual impact of such things, I'm pretty much convinced there is something to it. The spiritual battle is much more difficult when the past battles have been ignored or forgotten, imho. It helps in knowing what one is fighting against ~ because our ancestors fought the same fights, with the same strengths and weaknesses which were passed on to us. I must read more about Strongbow ~ those guys didn't mess around at all, did they?
