1/8 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: The Christian church helped to unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Important Terms: Papal, Secular, Excommunicate Do Now: Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?

Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church The Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church

The Church in the Middle Ages Two major Christian Churches Orthodox Christian Church Byzantine Roman Catholic Church Western Europe

The Church in the Middle Ages Catholic Church led by a pope based out of Rome Papacy; Papal Believed by followers to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on Earth

The Church in the Middle Ages Catholic church provided order and security after the fall of Rome Served the spiritual needs of followers Became a powerful political force Had authority over powerful rulers

Nuns and Monks Devoted their life to prayer and good works Lived in monasteries or convents Religious communities Had to follow strict rules Benedictine rule

Nuns and Monks Took an oath of poverty Provided social support to communities Helped the sick and the poor Educated children Preserved ancient writings by copying Greek and Roman texts Periods 4,7,8 ended here

A Medieval Monk’s Day

Nuns and Monks Missionaries Worked to convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland Per. 2,3 ended here

Economic Power of the Church Church required Christians to pay a tithe Tax Required to pay 10% of income Church became very wealthy Became the largest landholder in Europe

Political Power of the Church Church had its own laws and courts Canon Law Claimed authority over secular rulers Secular= not having to do with religion Could excommunicate rulers who did not obey the church Banned from the church

Role of the Church in Everyday Life Church provided spiritual protection in exchange for land, protection and crops Christians attended village churches led by priests (clergy)

Points for Discussion What role did the Church play in Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire? What was excommunication?