Bede and the Origins of Anglicanism

Wednesday Evenings

January 27. February 3 & 10, 2010

This three week course will look at the historical work of the Venerable Bede, who taught us most of what we know about the beginning of Christianity in England, and also at his work in chronology, which soled the problem of the correct date to celebrate Easter that had plagued the church since the second century.

Most of what we know about the early history of Christianity in England comes from the Venerable Bede, who wrote The History of the English Church and Nation in 731. Bede had a very uneventful life in some ways. He entered the monastery at Jarrow when he was seven years old. He was ordained Deacon at the age of 19 and priest at the age of 30. He died in 735, at the age of 63. He never traveled more than a few miles from the monastery, but he wrote commentaries on every book of the Bible, grammar textbooks, one book on cosmology, two books on chronology, poems, lives of saints, as well as the History, and was one of the most influential figures of his time. In these three weeks, we will look at what Bede tells us about the origins of Anglicanism (contrary to popular opinion, it did not start with Henry VIII).

We will also look especially at his work on chronology. One of the biggest issues for the early church was when to celebrate Easter. Bede developed an Easter cycle that basically solved the problem. Come and find out why it was so difficult and how Bede solved it.

Bede was a Biblical scholar, a scientist, a teacher, a monk, a historian, and an altogether fascinating personality, well worth the attention he still receives from scholars even today.

Leader: The Rev'd Sandra Michels joined the parish staff in September of 2009. She is in a degree program at the General Theological Seminary here in Manhattan. Mother Michels has served parishes in Indiana and Missouri and was also active in Episcopal Collge Ministry. Her interests are in parish development, preaching, teaching, and spiritual formaton.