Editing Christianization (section)

=== Italy ===
{{See also|Early centers of Christianity#Rome}}
[[File:Heiligenkreuz.St. Benedict.jpg|alt=painted portrait of St.Benedict standing by a desk writing his Rule|thumb|Heiligenkreuz depiction of St. Benedict]]
Classicist J.H.D. Scourfield writes that Christianization in Italy in Late Antiquity is "most aptly described in terms of negotiation, accommodation, adaptation, [and] transformation".{{sfn|Scourfield|2007|p=4}} Christianization in Italy allowed for religious competition and cooperation, included syncretism both to and from pagans and Christians, and allowed secularism.{{sfn|Lim|2012|p=498}}

In 529, [[Benedict of Nursia]] established his first monastery at [[Monte Cassino]], Italy. He wrote the [[Rule of Saint Benedict]] based on "pray and work". This "Rule" provided the foundation of the majority of the thousands of monasteries that spread across the continent of what is now modern day Europe, thereby becoming a major factor in the Christianization of Europe.{{sfn|Butler|1919|pp=[https://archive.org/details/BenedictineMonachism/page/n13 4], 8-10}}{{sfn|Koenig|King|Carson|2012|pp=[https://archive.org/details/handbookofreligi0000koen/page/22 22–24]}}{{sfn|Monroe|1909|p=253}}