Saint Leo the Great is one of the most important figures in Catholic history. Consecrated Pope in 440, he worked to protect and preserve the Church’s unity during times when barbarians were ravaging the Western Empire and heretics were dividing it.
Leo fought against the two main heresies of that time, Pelagianism and Manicheism. He also defended the Roman Primacy and promoted ecumenical communion.
History
Leo the Great was a prominent figure in Church history during the fifth century. He was born around the end of the fourth century in Rome and was from a Roman aristocratic family that traced its origins to Tuscany.
He was a devout Catholic and loved the Lord. He was also a gifted scholar and an excellent administrator.
During his time as Pope, he tried to maintain the unity of the Church and combat heresy. He was particularly concerned about Pelagianism and Manichaeism, which were gaining traction in the Church at that time.
His ability to reconcile different factions of Christians gave the Church a much needed boost. He resolved a controversy about the divinity of Christ and was able to make sure that the true teachings of the Church were still being respected.
He was also a very brave Pope and fought hard against attacks from Attila the Hun in 452. In addition, he encouraged charitable work in Rome.
Architecture
The church is an interesting example of Romanesque architecture. It has a central plan with an octagonal perimeter which is surrounded by columns.
The walls are rock-faced rusticated ashlar limestone with pilaster buttresses and machicolations. The pier buttresses are carved with a string course and roundel.
It has a five-stage south bell tower with a square turret at the southeast corner. It has a pitched slate roof with triangular roof vents and cast-iron rainwater goods.
Originally, it was planned to have a small chapel at the back of the church, however this was not built due to lack of funds. The front of the sanctuary is semi-circled around the altar and it slopes slightly down from the entrance to the altar.
The church has a number of original fittings including artist designed stained glass and metalwork of high quality. It is a beautiful building and is well worth seeing. It is a wonderful addition to the town of Ermine.
Worship
The church is a beautiful and historic structure. The interior is massive and ornate with gold altars and paintings all over the place. It is a must see if you are ever in Demopolis.
During the summer months, there are a number of different worship services offered at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.
One of the most popular is the Benedictine service that takes place every day at 7:00 AM. This is a time when the monks chant psalms, which is an ancient tradition in both the Jewish and Christian faiths.
A Benedictine oblate is a man or women from any background who makes a promise to live their life patterned after the Rule of Saint Benedict as they are able. The oblates share in the spiritual life of the monastery and participate in some of the monastic activities.
The Garden in the back of the church is a tribute to Father Damien, who was a Benedictine here for 73 years. He was a great friend of many people.
Education
Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church is committed to the highest standards of quality education rooted in the Roman Catholic intellectual tradition. As a liberal arts college, the church strives to create a student-centered learning environment that values and promotes self-growth, both academically and spiritually.
At Saint Leo, students are expected to reflect with purpose and pray with passion; they are encouraged to seek wisdom in sacred texts and celebrate liturgy and sacramental life. They are also invited to act in solidarity with people who are poor and oppressed.
Pope Leo the Great was an excellent and effective teacher of Christ’s hypostatic union, human and divine. He fought the wolves of heresy, including Pelagianism and Manicheism, that weakened the faith of the early Christian Church. Ultimately, his powerful sermons helped to clarify the teachings of the Council of Chalcedon which defined Christ as both human and divine.