Ecclesiastical Geography and Topography of the Christian World - Chapters

Description: World Map by Cosmas Indicopleustes. The map is oriented north to the top. It shows a rectangular landmass in the middle of the World Ocean  (Okeanos), reflecting what Cosmas thought was the "floor" of the tabernacle-shaped universe. The Roman Gulf (i.e., Mediterranean) is shown in the western half, with indentations for the unmarked Adriatic and Aegean/Black seas. Three further gulfs are shown: the Caspian to the northeast and the Arabian (i.e., Red Sea) and Persian Gulfs to the south. Paradise is shown in the Far East, beyond the Ocean. Four rivers run from it and cross under or through the Ocean to reach Asia and Africa.

Date  6th century map.

Source "Les Sciences au Moyen-Age", "Pour la Science" 

Ecclesiastical Geography and Topography of the Christian World

        I would like to provide an overview of the chapters to cover about the "Ecclesiastical Geography and Topography of the Christian World". This comprehensive study delves into the geographical and topographical aspects of the Christian world, offering valuable insights into its diverse regions and their ecclesiastical significance. I hope that these Chapter divisions will be of interest and relevance to you in understanding the concepts.

1. Ecclesiastical Geography: definition, the object of study, its particularity and the placing of three branches of geography

2. Topography of the Orbis Cristianus: definition, object of study

3. Useful sources for the study of Ecclesiastical Geography: groups of typical sources for Antiquity and the Middle Ages, some examples

4. The birth of Geography and of modern Ecclesiastical Geography: factors that they contributed to the development of Ecclesiastical Geography; Reform and Counter-reform - three major reasons for the Church's interest in geography

5. The dispute over suburban provinces and their contribution to the development of Ecclesiastical Geography

6. Geography of religions: the object of study and its particularity concerning Ecclesiastical Geography

7. Basic terminology: Parish, Titulus, Diocese, Ecclesiastical Province, Patriarchy and Minor Jurisdictions (prelature, vicariate, prefecture, administration and what is their particularity concerning ordinary Church structures)

8. Palestine in the time of Jesus and of early Christianization (to name the stages more important in the history of Palestine: the conquest of Pompey, the kingdom of Herod, the Jewish rebellions and their consequences, the Arab conquests and the period of the kingdom of the crusaders)

9. Jerusalem holy city - to name the most important stages in the history of the city: Jewish, Roman, Christian, Muslim, Crusade, reconquest Jerusalem Muslim, British mandate, capital of Israel

10. The Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher: a brief history of the basilica with the most important stages (construction of the first basilica, destruction, cross-reconstruction)

11. The first diffusion of Christianity: Antioch, Rome and Alexandria (know to summarize the first three great Churches that represented three regions of the Roman Empire)

12. Ways of the diffusion of Christianity: itinerant missionaries, families, personal relationships, marking and trade, military, persecution (pay attention to the geography of the Empire, the road system and the Roman Pax)

13. Buildings and places of worship: Cenacle, Domus Ecclesiae and their transformation into Christian Church

14. Geography of the Empire and geography of the Church: what is the impact of the structure? administration of the Roman Empire on ecclesiastical territorial structures

15. The idea of pentarchy in Christianity: what is meant by "pentarchy"; to name five great patriarchates and briefly describe their development historically with particular attention to the insertion of Constantinople and Jerusalem

16. The Churches outside the Empire: the Nestorian and Monophysite churches, their birth and spread

17. The birth and development of monasticism: the role of monks in the Christianization of Europe, the Cluny congregation and its cell system (obedience)

18. Evangelization of the barbarians (to know how to name the new "barbarian kingdoms" that arise on the ruins of the Western Roman Empire, giving information on the conversion of the new «barbarian kingdoms», the passage from paganism to Arianism and to Catholicism, the particular case of the Kingdom of the francs)

19. The birth of the Papal State: in what historical circumstances the state is born of the Church, pay attention to the geopolitical events of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire

20. The topography of the city of Rome and the formation of the Cardinal College: Suburban dioceses, Diaconal regions, Tituli (to know the link between the division of the city and suburbs into pastoral-liturgical regions and evolution of the clergy group called cardinals)

         Reconstruction of the world map - Eratosthenes (276 - 194 BC)

            I wanted to inform you that in the upcoming year of 2024, I plan to provide a comprehensive explanation of the chapters on the Ecclesiastical Geography and Topography of the Christian World. The phrase "Ecclesiastical Geography and Topography of the Christian World" encompasses a vast and rich area of study, delving into the intersection of Christianity and the physical landscape. Here are some potential avenues to explore within this topic:

Historical Perspectives:

• Early Christian Geography: Examining maps, pilgrimage routes, and writings like the Christian Topography by Cosmas Indicopleustes to understand how early Christians perceived and navigated the world.
• Medieval Ecclesiastical Landscapes: Exploring the development of monastic orders, pilgrimage centers, and cathedral cities, and how they shaped the physical and social landscape of Europe.
• Missionary Geography: Tracing the spread of Christianity across continents, from early missionary journeys to colonial expansion and modern mission movements.

Thematic Approaches:

• Holy Places and Pilgrimage: Analyzing the significance of Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, and other pilgrimage sites, including their historical evolution, rituals, and impact on local communities.
• Sacred Landscapes and Iconography: Investigating how mountains, rivers, and other natural features have been imbued with religious meaning in different Christian traditions.
• Architecture and Urban Planning: Exploring how church architecture, cathedral complexes, and city layouts reflect Christian beliefs and social structures.

Contemporary Contexts:

• The Impact of Globalization: Examining how Christianity navigates issues of cultural exchange, migration, and environmental challenges in a globalized world.
• Religious Pluralism and Conflict: Analyzing the role of geography in religious tensions and conflicts, as well as efforts towards interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

            These are just a few examples, and the specific focus of my studies will determine which aspects to delve deeper into. Whatever I have studied during my courses, I will try to synthesise with these chapters. My goal is to complete this task within a timeframe of 20 weeks. If you require any further clarification or have any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to let me know. At the end, I can even give the bibliography for your further readings to your interest. I will try to cover all the minute details as much as I can. I sincerely appreciate your continuous support and encouragement. (To be Continued)

Fr. Nicholas Macedon OCD

Carmelite Priory, Oxford.            

9698453101

nicholasocd@yahoo.com

nicholasocd.blogspot.com/