Oriental Influences on the Religion of the Celtic Church

Traces of Eastern cults may be found on stone slabs, perhaps brought through oriental units in the Roman occupying army. Mithraism very nearly mastered the country. Christianity probably entered Britain through the Roman army and through trade. The British Church is often referred to in Latin writings. Its support of Athanasius of Alexandria against Arianism increased links with Egypt, and this latter connection was developed after the Romans left. Through it came the monastic system, by way of Gaul and Ireland. Its success was in part due to its compatibility with the clan system. The differences between this system and later Roman monastic systems are discussed, including details of Celtic monastic life and liturgy.