Church in the Tempests

The First Millennium of the History of the Church

In the first millennium of Christian history, the foundations of Christendom were laid by Christian princes, who created the European nations while offering us an example of how the world can be made Christian without Christians becoming worldly. History, the great teacher of Christian life and faith, instructs us by the example of the martyrs, how the truth is not negotiable and must be witnessed — if necessary, to the shedding of one’s blood. History edifies us with the example of the Crusaders, ignoring the trials that they would undergo and offering their lives in response to the Church’s cries of distress. It reminds us, by the example of monks and hermits, that the rejection of the world and attachment to God alone, in silence and prayer, is the only means to satisfy those who are called to this constant union with the Lord. It teaches us, by the acts of the apologists, how the apostolate is exercised not only by positively exposing the faith, but also by refuting prejudices and errors with the weapons of polemics and controversy.