The Early Christians in the Face of Epidemics
The Early Christians in the Face of Epidemics
Author(s): Oleksandr KashchukSubject(s): History, Social history, Ancient World, History of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: epidemics; pestilence; Christianity; early Church; charity; consolation
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the article is to present the reaction of the early Christians to the emergence and the spread of the great epidemics. During the early Christian ages (2nd–3rd centuries) different plagues devastated people of the Roman Empire. Christianity has already prepared some modes of activity to deal with epidemics. These were both ideological and practical means. The main conclusion is that the pestilences during which Christians might show their moral principles, the special manner of life, and activity were one of the reasons to explain conversion to Christianity.
- Issue Year: 2021
- Issue No: 11
- Page Range: 611-621
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English