Patrons in the history of Christianity in the Holy Land in the 4th–5th centuries in the works of Blessed Jerome and his contemporaries

Abstract

The article examines the role of patronage in the development of Christianity in the Holy Land in the 4th–5th centuries. The study touches upon key aspects of the charitable activities of the imperial family, the Roman aristocracy, and monastic communities aimed at building churches, monasteries, and developing pilgrimages. Particular attention is paid to the activities of such patrons as Empress Helena, Melania the Elder, Paula of Rome, Melania the Younger, and Empress Eudocia. Based on the analysis of historical and theological sources, including the writings of Blessed Jerome, the motives and consequences of patronage of Christian shrines are revealed. The article shows how charity contributed to strengthening the Christian identity of the region, its spiritual and social development. The obtained results can be used in further study of the history of Christianity and the interaction of the Church with the state in Late Antiquity.