The Power and Influence of Monasteries in Europe During the 18th Century
Summary
The article discusses the power and influence of monasteries in Europe during the 18th century, particularly the rebuilding of Melk Abbey in Austria and St. Sergius-Trinity in Russia. It reveals that monks and abbots were well-connected politically and could secure high-level positions in the secular and ecclesiastical world. Despite their wealth and power, the monasteries were relatively benevolent landlords and employers, promoted education and protected elite culture through their collections. Growing hostility and indifference from the secular world, as well as a shift in attitudes among sovereigns, led to the decline and eventual abolition of many monastic orders.
Table of Contents
- The Power and Influence of Monasteries in Russia and Europe
- The Wealth and Power of Monasteries
- The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and Catholic Monastic Orders
- Religious Revival and Processions in the 18th Century
The Power and Influence of Monasteries in Russia and Europe
In the 18th century, monasteries played a substantial role in Russia and Europe. The relationship between the Tsar and the bishop in Russia was that the Tsar had power over secular matters but owed obedience to the bishop in spiritual and ecclesiastical matters. However, in the 17th century, the Tsar had the bishop deposed, leaving the Russian Orthodox Church without a leader, making it a religion of the state. Eventually, the Church came under the control of Peter the Great and was reduced to a department of state. One consequence of this was the limitation of the participation of the nobility in the clergy due to the requirement for bishops to be celibate.
The Wealth and Power of Monasteries
Monasteries had accumulated large amounts of property through pious bequests, owning about 5% of the total cultivable area of France and drawing significant amounts of income from rents, dues, and tithes. The rebuilding of Melk Abbey in Austria and St. Sergius-Trinity in Russia is evidence of the wealth and power of these institutions. Monks and abbots were well-connected politically and could secure high-level positions in the secular and ecclesiastical world. Despite their wealth and power, monasteries were relatively benevolent landlords and employers, providing relief during times of hardship. They also promoted education and protected elite culture through their collections.
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and Catholic Monastic Orders
The Society of Jesus was particularly successful at gaining proximity to sovereign power. Many Catholic rulers had Jesuits as their confessors. However, growing hostility and indifference from the secular world, as well as a shift in attitudes among sovereigns, led to the decline and eventual abolition of many monastic orders. The Jesuits were dissolved in 1773, and their assets were confiscated by Catholic powers, causing them to seek refuge in non-Catholic countries. The principles of state sovereignty and nationalism caused their vow of obedience to the papacy to become increasingly offensive to secular powers. They attracted hostility from outsiders due to their wealth, power, privilege, and secrecy. The dissolution of the Jesuits was seen as the most serious defeat the Church had suffered since the Reformation.
Religious Revival and Processions in the 18th Century
The 18th century was characterized by dissenting movements within established churches, such as Jansenism, Pietism, and Methodism. Additionally, religious processions, beating the bounds of the parish, and religious associations flourished during this time. There was also a great revival in pilgrimages in the Catholic world after 1648, with many faithful flocking to shrines near and far. Despite this religious revival, growing hostility towards monastic orders led to their decline and eventual abolition.
Q&A:
Q: Why did the Tsar depose the bishop in Russia, leaving the Russian Orthodox Church without a leader and turning it into a religion of the state?
A: The Tsar deposed the bishop in Russia due to the relationship between the Tsar and the bishop, where the Tsar had power over secular matters but owed obedience to the bishop in spiritual and ecclesiastical matters. This was a move to exert more secular control over the state.
Q: How did monasteries accumulate their enormous wealth and power in Europe?
A: Monasteries accumulated their wealth and power through pious bequests. Additionally, they owned significant amounts of land, about 5% of the total cultivable area of France, and drew significant amounts of income from rents, dues, and tithes.
Q: Were monasteries benevolent to the people who worked for them and lived in their estates?
A: Yes, despite their wealth and power, monasteries were relatively benevolent landlords and employers, providing relief during times of hardship. They also promoted education and protected elite culture through their collections.
Q: Why were the Jesuits dissolved in 1773?
A: The principles of state sovereignty and nationalism caused their vow of obedience to the papacy to become increasingly offensive to secular powers. They attracted hostility from outsiders due to their wealth, power, privilege, and secrecy.
Q: What led to the decline and eventual abolition of many monastic orders in Europe in the 18th century?
A: Growing hostility and indifference from the secular world, as well as a shift in attitudes among sovereigns, led to the decline and eventual abolition of many monastic orders. Additionally, the Jesuits were dissolved in 1773, causing other monastic orders to face similar hostility and suspicion.
