The Division of the Christian Church Section 2

Standard Describe the establishment by Constantine of the new capital in Constantinople and the development of the Byzantine Empire, with an emphasis on the consequences of the development of two distinct European civilizations, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, and their two distinct views on church- state relations.

Background Knowledge By 380 Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. However, different groups held different religious beliefs. These disagreement would eventually split the Christian Church

The Early Christian Church

Christian Organization Bishops headed each local church –Aided by deacons and elders Bishop eventually gain authority over all churches in one region Apostolic succession

Patriarchs - the bishops of Rome, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch and Constantinople –L–Largest and most important communities Church Organization

Pope- father, or head, of the church Patriarch of Rome claims authority over Christians –B–Based his claim on apostolic succession from the apostle Peter Patriarchs and the Pope

The nature of Jesus caused great debates Emperor Constantine assembles a council to unify the church –325, The Council of Nicaea established the beliefs of Christianity The Creed is a summary of the entire Christian faith The Nicene Creed

The Controversy Over Icons Icon – holy image, usually a portrait of Jesus or saint Argument –H–Honor to God or Worship of an object

Iconoclastic (image-breakers) –Destroyed icons The Iconoclastic Controversy, a movement that denied the holiness of religious images, left a feeling of mistrust between the eastern and western churches

The Great Schism In 1054, The development of two religious traditions eventually cased a split between the eastern and Western churches –Schism is Greek for split

Two Christian Traditions / The Final Split Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Christianity Pope Heads the Church Emperor Heads the Church Pope is the Highest Official Patriarch Of Constantinople Is the highest Official Rituals and teaching were in Latin Rituals and teaching were in Greek Priest could not marry Priest could marry Catholic universal, concerned with all people Orthodox following traditional or Established beliefs