A Christian Europe World History I

Two Christian Churches Roman Catholic Church – based in Rome, united Europeans after decline of Western Roman Empire. Led by the pope. Eastern Orthodox Church – based in Constantinople. Reflected Greek heritage. Byzantines believed the emperor was God’s representative on Earth. Emperors controlled the church.

The Great Split By the 700s, disagreements developed between the Orthodox and Catholic churches. The pope claimed to be the leader of all Christian churches. Byzantines rejected this, believing other bishops were equal to the pope. The Byzantines refused to help the pope when Italy was invaded in the 700s. The Franks helped the pope, who in turn crowned the Frankish king Charlemagne Roman Emperor, angering the Byzantines.

The Great Split, cont. Eastern and western churches viewed their role in government differently. In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor controlled both church and state. In the west, the pope claimed religious and political authority over all of Europe. This caused disagreements with kings. In 1054, the patriarch of Constantinople and the pope excommunicated each other. Each claimed the other no longer belonged to the church. This created a schism, or split, that still exists today.

The Spread of Christianity After the fall of Rome, Europeans who faced disorder and violence, turned to the church. During the 300s, Christians formed religious communities called monasteries. In monasteries, monks and nuns lived separately from the outside world, dedicating their lives to god. They served as missionaries, teaching Christianity to non- followers. Monks and nuns helped the poor, ran schools, and preserved ancient Greek and Roman writings.

The Spread of Christianity, cont. The Byzantines spread Christianity to the Slavs, a people in Eastern Europe. Cyril created a Slavic language to teach Christianity to the Slavs.

Missionaries bringing Christianity to the Slavic people of Eastern Europe.

The Spread of Christianity, cont. In the West, missionaries converted the residents of Britain and Ireland to Christianity. A priest named Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. Pope Gregory I sent missionaries to bring Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons living in England. In about 100 years, England accepted Christianity. Monasteries were built in England and Ireland, and they became centers of religion and culture.