The experience of fraternity in patristic and other early Christian texts

Abstract

This research outlines the concept and experience of fraternity in the first centuries of Christianity. The chapter starts by presenting the experience of fraternity during the defining moments of Christian initiation, and the celebration of the Eucharist on the Lord's Day in the first two centuries. Christians were known to overcome social and other boundaries: they readily welcomed any other Christian, irrespective of his/her social status or background as a brother/sister. Christian fraternity was also admirably expressed during the agape meal, as evidenced by early patristic texts. The final part of the chapter focuses on how Christian brotherhood was also experienced during the particularly poignant experience of martyrdom.