Early christian spirituality

 Lilly Ciurca

Early Christian spiritualityLilly Ciurca

Early Christian spirituality

Spirituality is a feeling that is experienced personally, like finding a sense of peace and purpose. Early Christians had a great emphasis on praying, which was seen as an instrument to connect with God and seek his guidance. Together, they would have prayed together in homes or places of worship to share their faith with one another. One of the most important aspects of their spirituality was living a holy and virtuous life. They were believers in the teachings of Jesus, such as showing compassion and forgiveness to others. Many early Christians adhered to the ascetic practice, which consisted of strict adherence to discipline and rejection of all other pleasures, so as to deepen their religious journey. They were able to focus exclusively on their relationship with God and grow closer to him. 

The sacraments, such as baptism and the Eucharist, represent sacred rites of faith that reflect their belief and lead them closer to God's mercy. There was a deep devotion and a strong sense of community among believers at that time. There were many different beliefs during the early days of Christianity that didn't adhere to what was taught at the time. The mainstream Christian community regarded these as heresy. There were some groups, such as the Gnostics, who had their own interpretations of spiritual truth which did not correspond to conventional wisdom. During the process of defining and clarifying their beliefs, it triggered debates and discussions in the first Church.