After the Fall of the Roman Empire in 476 it was divided into a western and an eastern Empire. The eastern Empire which is also known as the Byzantine Empire, lived on as it was wealthier and better in trade. According to Rietbergen (2006, p.114), Church and State were very closely combined in the Byzantine Empire, which is the first difference of Religion in the two new European Regions. During the Roman Empire Christianity was given higher attention and became one of the leading religions in Europe. However, one must know that Christendom already differed in Latin Christianity, which is west orientated, and Orthodox Christendom, which mostly appears in the East. These religions differed in their belief of the true Christian faith Rietbergen (2006) explains this difference by saying that the Citizens of the Byzantine Empire believed that their Religion is “true to the Christian faith” (p.114). Despite both religions sharing the same Judeo-Christian Roots, they have a different concept of God. On the one Hand the Orthodox believe that “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son” (Kristeva 2000, pp.138-39), whereas …show more content…
In 1517 Martin Luther has revealed his 95 propositions to the society, which has led to another split in Christendom. Due to Martin Luther the religion Protestantism has evolved. However, one must know that he has not wanted to set off a religious revolution (Barzun, 2000, p. 5), but wanted to notify the people in the wrong of the church. Protestantism divided the European regions, especially Germany, due to the new political view of ‘Cuius regio, eius religio’ (Delanty, 2013, p.71) allowing the Prince to decide what religion is being practiced in his region. This political ideology with religious background has led to a division in countries of the west, causing states to differ and leading the people into an identity
There were two major civilizations for Christianity, which was Byzantium and the Roman Empire, both splitting in a feud between several arguments. The Roman Empire eventually collapsed, yet the Byzantium with Orthodox Christianity survived and lived on. Byzantium spread their influence to places like the Balkans, and especially western Russia. The capital of Byzantium was Constantinople, built by a foundation of a town called Byzantium. This capital, at the times when both the Roman Empire and Byzantium were parts of each other, was where new, separate eastern emperors ruled.
They also developed new ideas the topic in caesaopapism which lead having a better relationship between the church and the states. Leading to Caesaopapism joining the church and the state. This was different because the Catholic church had a separation of the church and the state. Although this is not the only thing differed from the Roman Catholicism. The Eastern Orthodox differed from the roman empire in the terms of Language the roman Catholicism used Latin were the Orthodox church used a different language being Greek.
Consequently, his Ninety-Five Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the church monarchy and helped split Christianity in two: Catholic and Protestant. As a result, a domino effect, which surpassed religion, led to change within European polities that facilitated a “divided Christian Europe” (Lecture 7, January
Byzantine Religion Video Research Page Source #1: "Byzantine Empire." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Livius, 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 6 Oct. 2015. .
During the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the countries of Europe began to develop a rift. This was caused by a movement known as the Reformation. The Reformation was jump-started by the posting of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. Luther urged for the reform of the Catholic Church and its ideas. The proponents of his reform convinced many of the common people to reconsider the foundations of their religious beliefs, as well as the structures of their communities.
Rome’s hierarchy system was very strict and it was based on how much money a family or person had. (Doc D) The Emperor was at the top, then it was his court which was made up of the wealthy and prestigious, then at the bottom the commoners, and people rarely moved between classes. (Doc D) Romans believed that the only way to a peaceful existence was through violence, victory, and no one opposing their rule. (Doc E) Christianity believed that you could have peace through nonviolence, justice, and when all was fair.
The Protestant Reformation had a huge impact in all Europe in the sixteen century, but which ones were the factors that lead to it? It is very important to highlight that the European Christianity was falling into a noticeable corruption of its popes and some other high position members. Robbery, and even warriors were among of some factors that took the Cristian Church to a declining path. One of these examples was the Pope Julius II, which one won the nickname “the warrior pope” because he led armies against people. Furthermore, the church was not the only factor promoting this reformation, some other social changes were occurring with the masses in Europe; many of the peasants were being free especially in the western Europe.
Martin Luther, a German professor and monk, made a large impact on society in the fifteen hundreds. His new ideas of Christianity changed the concept of how religion was viewed and practiced in the 16th century. Within his Ninety-five Theses, he questioned the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and brought to light the corruption surrounding the church while stating how Christianity should be practiced in different ways rather than what is being taught. It is important to understand his stances on religion to explain how different groups reacted to his ideas. While some parts of Europe accepted his ideologies into practice, others reject Luther for many different reasons.
The Byzantine Iconoclastic Controversy began in 726 CE when Emperor Leo III issued a decree against the worship of icons.1 This action resulted in the removal and destruction of icons in churches and monasteries.2 There had been tensions rising between the church and the state over the use of icons for some time, but the culmination of these tensions along with the pressure of Muslim armies attacking the borders of Byzantium lead to the explosive Iconoclastic Controversy. The iconoclasts ardently believed that the creation of images depicting holy people was making God angry. The iconophiles believed that these images were sacred and used them as a means of worshiping God. This theological battle lead to the meeting of several ecumenical councils in order to resolve the controversy between the church and the state. This paper will examine the arguments for and against the use of icons from iconoclasts and iconophiles in the Byzantine Empire.
Even though Christians were persecuted on and off during the Roman Empire, Christianity flourished. In the early Roman Empire, when Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Trajan were emperors, Christianity was banned and Christians were persecuted. Nevertheless, Christians found ways to spread Christianity, and many people converted. As trials occurred and the Empire lost good leaders, the people took security in Christianity and other religions. Christianity grew during the Roman Empire because Constantine helped create the Edict of Milan, Constantine had imperial favor toward The Church, and there was trade routes to spread Christianity to different areas.
The Latin Catholics continued to disagree with the Greek Orthodox Church after their split and both of these churches continued to try and gain on each other and try to prevail as the lasting Catholic Church in Europe. (Document 2) With the churches separated, they didn’t want to be associated with each other so the Orthodox Church changed the name of one of the three patriarchs to make it sound like lesser of a name because they felt that since the Romans left them then they are better than them and shouldn’t be considered in the same category. This further shows evidence of the dislike and differences between these two sides of the Catholic Church. (Document 6)
Both religions believe in the Holy Trinity, even if they do not necessarily have the same theological beliefs as to where the Holy Spirit comes from. Both religions also cite the same text; the Bible. The differences between the two churches is significant, however. Roman Catholicism is far more structured than the Eastern Orthodox church; at the head of all Catholic affairs is the Pope. As previously stated, the Pope holds much more power than the patriarch does in the Orthodox church.
Various religions have made a great turning point on European history. One of the most notable figures of European history, a German theologian and religious reformer named Martin Luther, had so much passion about his faith of God. This man leaves a mark on European history for having the courage to lead a revolution against the Catholic Church. He felt that the Catholic Church’s practices were impractical. Martin Luther made a great, positive impact as a religious leader during the Protestant Reformation by his successful achievements as a theologian, starting and spreading the Protestant Reformation to many parts in Europe, and creating his own Lutheran Church.
The development of Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire were different due to government, economies and religion. The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an Emperor instead of a King, while Western Europe was separated into different countries by the language spoken. Western Europe had social systems of feudalism in place to serve the people. Christianity played a major role in both of the developments of Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was influenced by Romans, but Western Europe considered the Pope to be of high influence and guidance.
“The Great Schism” The Great Schism also referred to as The East-West Schism, divided "Chalcedonian" Christianity into Western Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy in 1054. The East-West Schism was the result of an extended period of separation between the two bodies of churches. It was the historic sundering of Eucharistic relations between the see of Rome – now the Roman Catholic Church, and the sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem – now the Orthodox Church. It divided medieval Mediterranean Christendom into Eastern and Western branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively.