Division of the Christian Church

Christian Expansion

Under Constantine Makes Christianity legal after years of persecution Commissions churches to be built Has the army put crosses on their shields Allows Christian schools to be built

Church Organization Bishops in charge of churches in a certain region 5 Main Bishops – Know as the Patriarchs Rome Jerusalem Alexandria Antioch Constantinople Originally all patriarchs were equal Eventually the Bishop of Rome claims more power Who is this??

Religion in Constantinople Religion (Christianity) was important to the Byzantine people Foundation of their Empire The head of the Church in Constantinople was called the emperor Highest church official called the Patriarch

Growing Schism Most people could not read The church used icons to help people better connect with the message of Jesus How does art help you spiritually? Some people thought that this was idol worship and that people should only pray to God To whom do we pray? Icons are outlawed in the Eastern Empire

Icons People used religious images (icons) in their homes and churches This lead to attacks on people with icons Pope wanted people to have icons The Western area of Europe and the Eastern Byzantine empire were both Christian This united the areas with one faith Culturally very different Argument lead to distrust

Great Schism The Patriarch and the Pope continue to argue Both excommunicate each other The West becomes known as the Roman Catholic Church vs. Eastern Orthodox 1054 AD

Image Library: The Christian Church Splits

Invasion Vikings invaded lands in southern Europe Loss of land in the south west Muslims invaded from the east Loss of land in the east The Venetians took over the trade and trade routes Loss of wealth By 1453 the Turks capture Constantinople

Homework: Jeopardy Questions: Question 1: Last Roman Emperors Question 2: Causes for the fall of Rome Question 3: Constantinople Question 4: Spread of Christianity Question 5: Church Division