Sun and cross: The development from Megalithic culture to early Christianity in Ireland [Hardcover]

Jakob Streit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1984

Scholars agree that the beginnings of Irish Christianity do not lie in Rome. In this study, Streit argues that a quite independent form of Christianity grew up in Ireland, which had a great influence on Dark Age Europe. Starting with the ancient, sun-oriented monumuments of the megalith age, he traces the evolution of an unbroken spiritual culture in Ireland from the time of stone circles and dolmens, through the Celtic era, into the period of the stone crosses of Irish Christianity. A detailed analysis of the symbols used in the megalithic period shows a highly evolved culture which was absorbed and developed by the Druidic Celts when they settled in Ireland in the centuries before Christ. This culture, in turn, found it natural to accept Christianity, which developed in a unique manner in such a spiritual climate. Early hymns and liturgical texts, combining the older nature practice with the new religion of Christianity, bear witness to this unbroken evolution. Finally, Streit depicts the great missionary zeal of Christian monks like Columbanus, who established Celtic Christianity across Europe during the Dark Ages, until its final suppression by the increasingly powerful Roman Church in the 8th century. This study of the early history of Ireland is illustrated with black and white photographs, line drawings, maps and diagrams.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The republication of this book has been long-awaited. It includes a wonderful selection of photographs, illustrations, poetry and quotations. It is an essential sourcebook for anybody interested in Celtic spirituality and Celtic history.' -- Dara Molloy, Aisling Magazine, 2004 'A beautifully produced and highly informative book about the development and flowering of early Christianity in Ireland. A fascinating section on sun spirals explains their relationship to the cycle of the year and to incarnation and excarnation. An authoritative account conveying the spirit of the tradition.' -- Scientific & Medical Network Review, Summer 2004 'There are lots of picture and diagrams of Ireland's fantastic ancient monuments and stone crosses. Engrossing'. -- Julie Chamberlain, Coventry Evening Telegraph, 5 June 2004 'Streit makes a good case for there being Irish Christians before St Patrick. This is a handsome book with plenty of photographs, [...] and the tragic story of the rise and fall of the Irish Church makes compelling reading.' -- Northern Earth, December 2005 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Floris Books (1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863150101
• ISBN-13: 978-0863150104
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,039,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Irish History, December 16, 2010

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This review is from: Sun And Cross: From Megalithic Culture To Early Christianity In Ireland (Paperback)

The one thing I love about visiting Ireland the most is the various layers of history that are so evident in every town, county and countryside. It is, however, very difficult to find books that can adequately cover the early history of Ireland, especially the transition from various earth religions to Christianity. Sun and Cross does this, and I found it helpful, interesting and reflective of what I have seen and learned in Ireland. It is a very nice book.