I have been researching Celtic and Roman Christianity in Great Britain around the 600s to prepare for a trip later this year. The above books are part of my research material.
When Jesus was roaming the shores of Galilee, there may have been discussions about this far off land called Britain or Britannia. In 55 B.C, Julius Caesar attempted to invade the island of Britain. From 55 B.C through 43 A.D, there were many interactions between Britain and the Roman empire.
Christianity may have arrived on the shores of Great Britain in the 300s or possibly sooner. By the 400s, Patrick is in Ireland and the Christianity is influenced by the Celtic culture. Columba spreads Celtic Christianity from Ireland into Scotland in the 500s. While Scotland and northern England were being influenced by Celtic Christianity, in 597, Pope Gregory sends Augustine to Canterbury in southwestern England to establish Roman Christianity on the island. In the 600s, Aiden has established a Celtic monastery on a tidal island called Lindisfarne in Northumbria.
Celtic and Roman Christianity coexisted in the 600s except for two cultural distinctions. First, they disagreed on the date to celebrate Easter. Second, they disagreed on the haircut (tonsure) of their monks. The Roman Christian culture won the disagreements in the England regions of the island and pushed the Celtic Christian culture to Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Culture wars that seem insignificant from a distance are extremely significant in the midst of the cultures.
Christianity became a powerful force as the kings of Great Britain promoted it. As Christianity aligned itself with the ruling powers, it spread through death and destruction as much as persuasion. From them, we seek to learn and not imitate.
There were many devoted, loving, compassionate, and just leaders throughout early Christianity in Great Britain. From them we seek to learn and imitate.
Leave a Reply