Religion in the Byzantine Empire

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Religion in the Byzantine Empire

• The Eastern Orthodox Church

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There was The Eastern Roman Empire and the
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire fell
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Two Churches Emerge

• 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.

• 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

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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.
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From Emperors to farmers, everyone was very
interested in religious matters.
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A Disagreement!

• Icons
• Most honored them and believed they worked
  miracles
• Gods presence in daily life
• Explain Christianity

• No Icons
• Some Byzantines wanted to end the use of idols
• Idol worship forbidden by God

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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
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Most Byzantines, church leaders, and the Pope
opposed the order.
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This dispute damaged the ties between the church
in Rome and the church in Constantinople.
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The real fight was over how the churches were run.
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There were two churches in an oven.
HELP ME!
NO!
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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
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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 couldnt 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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