Byzantine Religion Constantine was the first Christian emperor in the Roman Empire Theodosius was the emperor that made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire Byzantium rested firmly and fervently on Christian beliefs

The Christian Empire Government and religion were combined in one all powerful body (separation of church and state was nonexistent) For the Byzantines, their religion was the foundation of their political ideas and systems Held a strong belief that the Byzantine Empire was nothing less than “heaven on earth”

Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic Orthodox Constantinople (East) Under the Patriarch Main language: Greek Roman Catholic Rome (West) Under the Pope Main language: Latin Both combined government and religion together In terms of doctrine and beliefs both were not far apart

The Schism of 1054: formal break of the Orthodox Church & Roman Catholic Church Iconoclasm question: did these images lead to piety and help teach the faith, or did they lead to idolatry? Missions and Conversions Monasteries and Convents Religion and the family: The Church directed and played a prominent role in the believer’s life

Early Christian Music Early Christians rejected instrumental music due to its emotional power Followed ancient Hebrew religious ritual of chanting daily prayers and singing psalms Hymns of praise were lead by a cantor (choir leader) The service of High Mass Gregorian Chant: codified by Gregory the Great

Byzantine Music Similar to the west (Roman Catholic), religious music was performed by the voice only, without instruments Instrumental music was frowned upon Lacked a system of musical notation

Byzantine Literature Byzantine literature was influenced by that of ancient Greece Written in Greek Most of its literature was religious Scholarship and education ranked as high as religion

Kassia – famous Byzantine poet Hymn of Kassiani Procopius – Byzantine historian, author of Wars of Justinian, Buildings of Justinian, and Secret History Boethius – The Consolation of Philosophy Augustine of Hippo – The City of God & The Confessions Both Boethius and Augustine wrote in Latin and represent the west Roman empire