Download Religion in the Byzantine Empire

Religion
in the
Byzantine Empire
The Eastern Orthodox Church
There was The Eastern Roman
Empire and the Western Roman
Empire
The Western Roman Empire fell
Two Churches Emerge
• Church of Rome
survived the fall of the
Western Roman
Empire.
• The head of the Church
of Rome, the pope,
became the strongest
leader in Western
Europe
• All Latin churches were
united as the Roman
Catholic Church
• Eastern Roman
Empire becomes the
Byzantine Empire
• Like the Roman
Catholics, Byzantines
developed their own
form of Christianity.
• The Eastern Orthodox
church was based on
the Byzantine Empire's
Greek heritage.
In the East, Church and Government
worked closely together…
Considered Jesus Christ on Earth
and was crowned in religious
ceremonies.
Emperor chose the leading
church official (patriarch).
Because he chose the leader he
had control over the church.
From Emperors to farmers,
everyone was very interested
in religious matters.
A Disagreement!
Icons
No Icons
Most honored
them and
believed they
worked miracles
God’s presence in
daily life
Explain
Christianity
Some Byzantines
wanted to end
the use of idols
Idol worship
forbidden by God
I order that all icons be
removed from
churches!
I will assign specific
government workers to
fulfill my order. They
shall be known as
iconoclasts.
Emperor Leo III
Most Byzantines, church
leaders, and the Pope
opposed the order.
This dispute damaged the ties
between the church in Rome
and the church in
Constantinople.
The real fight was
over how the
churches were run
.
The
patriarch
and bishops
are equal to
you!
I am the
head of all
Christian
churches!
There were two
churches in an oven….
HELP
ME!
NO!
The Emperor believed he was in
control and the Pope believed
he had all the power….
They excommunicated each
other
Caused a schism which still
exists today
The Great Schism of 1054
• In 1054 the Christian Church split
because of disagreements over
religious issues.
• Two branches of Christianity form:
– Eastern Greek Orthodox Church
– Roman Catholic Church
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The Great Schism of 1054
– Eastern Greek Orthodox
Church
• Based in Constantinople
• Official language – Greek
• Church led by a Patriarch
referred to as a Bishop
• Bishops couldn’t marry.
• Priests could marry.
• Scriptures were the final
authority on all matters.
• Emperor or political ruler
was above the Bishop.
• Rejected the use of icons.
– Roman Catholic Church
• Based in Rome
• Official language – Latin
• Church led by a Pope
referred to as Father.
• Church leaders could not
marry.
• Only Pope and Bishops could
interpret the scriptures.
• The Pope was the Supreme
head of Church - above any
political ruler.
• Religious icons accepted.
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