Course 3, Chapter 6: Christianity established. — Manners of the Christians. First Century

1. Was there not another Rome besides pagan Rome?

Besides pagan Rome there was another, a subterranean Rome, inhabited by the first Christians. This subterranean Rome was the catacombs, which formed a city of many miles in extent, in which was a great number of streets, crossing each other in various directions; a number of open squares, and a multitude of tombs.

2. What is the origin of the catacombs?

The word catacomb signifies underground or cemetery. This name was given to those vast excavations, from which the Romans obtained materials for building and other purposes. They served as a retreat for the first Christians in times of persecution; here they concealed therm elves, prayed, and offered up the holy mysteries, either to prepare themselves for martyrdom or to obtain the salvation of their persecutors. To encourage themselves to patience and confidence in God, they painted or engraved the principal traits of the Scriptures analogous to their position, such as Daniel in the lion's den; the three youths in the jierq furnace; our Saviour raising Lazarus to life, fyc.; also stags, doves and vines, as symbols of ardent desire, innocence and charity.

3. Did the Christians remain long in the catacombs?

The catacombs served as a place of refuge for the first Christians during the persecution which lasted almost without intermission for three hundred years. When the persecution ceased, they came up from their place of retreat and lived among the pagans. Here the life of our fathers was similar to that in the catacomb?; a life of sanctity and innocence. To the

260 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

pride of the pagan, they opposed humility, desiring neithe-r riches nor change of condition. To the extravagance of the pagan, they opposed modesty and simplicity; especially in their dress and their furniture. To the profligacy of the pagans, they opposed temperance and fasting, observing frugality and moderation, not only at their ordinary meals, but even in their innocent festivities which they called agapes.

4. What were the agapes?

The agapes were feasts of brotherly charitv, given by the first Christians among themselves. The rich defrayed the expense; the poor were invited, and all, without distinction, sat down and partook of the feast as children of the same family. The repast commenced and finished with prayer.

5. What were their fasts?

Our fathers fasted not only in Lent, but on every Wednesday and Friday of each week. The church of Rome fasted on Saturday also, in commemoration of the triumph of St. Peter over Simon the magician.