XXII: "The Minor Peace of the Church" explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family, Domestic Affection, and Chastity

  The chapter highlights the Christian emphasis on chastity, family affections, and the sanctity of domestic life, contrasting with earlier Roman and pagan ideals.

• The Role of Art and Literature in Shaping Experience

  The chapter discusses how Christianity adopted and transformed pagan art, literature, and ritual, leading to a new humanistic and beautiful expression in worship and life.

• Suffering, Compassion, and Human Solidarity

  The Christian community's care for the weak, aged, children, and the dead reflects a deep compassion and solidarity, contrasting with the melancholy of the imperial philosopher.

• Epicurean Philosophy and the Pursuit of Pleasure

  Marius, as an Epicurean, is drawn to the serene and joyful spirit of the Christian community, finding a new form of pleasure and satisfaction in its pastoral security.

Characters to notice

• Marius

  Marius observes the Christian community in Cecilia's house, contrasting its serenity with the melancholy of Marcus Aurelius, and reflects on the beauty of chastity and family life.

• Cecilia

  Cecilia is the host of the Christian household Marius visits, moving among the lilies with enhanced grace, embodying the new spirit of the church.

• Marcus Aurelius

  Marius contrasts the Christian serenity with Aurelius's heavy burden of unrelieved melancholy, though Aurelius is also noted for his own interior sweetness.

• Pliny

  Pliny is quoted in a letter to his wife, expressing longing and affection, illustrating the family life that Christianity elevates.

• Saint Francis of Assisi

  Saint Francis is referenced as later reestablishing the continuity of Christian art and poetry with the primitive church's spirit.

• Dante

  Dante is mentioned as part of the later Christian artistic tradition that gives visible form to the regenerate race.

• Constantine

  Constantine is referenced in relation to the final 'Peace of the Church,' contrasted with the earlier minor peace under the Antonines.

• Gregory the Great

  Gregory the Great is mentioned as later forming the Gregorian music from old Roman harmonies.

Key passages

• “The angel of righteousness is modest and delicate and meek and quiet. Take from thyself grief, for 'tis the sister of doubt and ill-temper. Grief is more evil than any other spirit of evil, and is most dreadful to the servants of God, and beyond all spirits destroyeth man.”

  The angel of righteousness is humble, gentle, and calm. Remove grief from yourself, because it is related to doubt and bad temper. Grief is worse than any other evil spirit and is very harmful to God's servants, destroying a person more than any other spirit.

  This passage from the Shepherd of Hermas emphasizes the Christian ideal of joy and the rejection of grief, which Marius finds appealing.

• “You would hardly believe what a longing for you possesses me. Habit—that we have not been used to be apart—adds herein to the primary force of affection. It is this keeps me awake at night fancying I see you beside me. That is why my feet take me unconsciously to your sitting-room at those hours when I was wont to visit you there. That is why I turn from the door of the empty chamber, sad and ill-at-ease, like an excluded lover.”

  You can hardly imagine how much I miss you. The fact that we are not used to being apart strengthens my love. This longing keeps me awake at night, imagining you next to me. That's why I unconsciously walk to your sitting room at the times I used to visit you. That's why I leave the door of the empty room feeling sad and uncomfortable, like a rejected lover.

  Pliny's letter to his wife illustrates the deep affection in Roman family life, which Christianity further elevates.