1/7/14 Focus: – The Christian church helped to unify western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Do Now: – Identify one effect that the fall of Rome and invasions by Germanic tribes had on western Europe?

The Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms The Power of the Church

The Church in the Middle Ages Two major Christian Churches – Orthodox Christian Church Byzantine – 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

Nuns and Monks Missionaries – Nuns, monks, and priests who went out to spread Christian teachings – Worked to convert Germanic tribes and Celts in Britain – Example: St. Patrick setup the church in Ireland

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)

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

Closure Why was the Church important to Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire? What was excommunication?

1/7 Focus: 1/7 Focus: – During the Middle Ages, people relied on the Christian Church for spiritual and political guidance. Do Now: Do Now: – Identify how monks preserved Roman and Greek knowledge.