Religion III - Chapter 5: Byzantine Empire

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Questions and Answers

What was the Byzantine Empire?

The most important center of political, religious, cultural, and economic activity in the world of the former Roman Empire, lasting 1000 years and centered in Constantinople ruled by successors of the Roman Empire.

What were three disagreements that pushed the Eastern and Western Church toward a final confrontation?

Political/religious authority, liturgical diversity, and the iconoclastic controversy.

What happened to cause Byzantium to eclipse Rome as the center of the Mediterranean world?

The capital was moved from Rome to Constantinople, changing the name from Byzantium to Constantinople.

What were the two major differences between the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire?

The Byzantine Empire lasted 1000 years longer and it began with Christianity while the Roman Empire began with paganism. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of faith, what did the Byzantine Empire enjoy that the Roman Empire did not?

It began with Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What early disasters did Islam inflict upon the Byzantine Empire?

Control of 3 to 5 of the great patriarchates, leaving only Rome and Constantinople. Signup and view all the answers

Which tenet of Islam promoted Muslims to conquer other peoples?

Jihad Signup and view all the answers

What turned out to be the ruin of the Byzantine Empire and when did this happen?

The rise of Islam conquers Constantinople in 1453. Signup and view all the answers

What unified Eastern and Western Christianity up to the year 1000?

They were united by the same apostolic and sacramental Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What major traditions came together in Constantinople?

Roman law, Greek culture, and oriental habits. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be in 'full communion'?

All of the church's bishops are in communion with one another and the faithful share one Eucharist. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'patriarch' - who are they within the Church authority in the Byzantine era, and are they still in authority today?

They are leaders appointed by the emperor, usually archbishops who rule over the administrative centers for the church. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'patriarchate'.

Administrative center. Signup and view all the answers

List the 5 patriarchates that existed by the 5th century.

Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship within the Byzantine Empire tended to undermine the authority of the Pope among the Eastern Christians?

The relationship between the emperors and patriarchs in Constantinople. Signup and view all the answers

What factors served to emphasize the Latin (Western) Church's independence from secular authority?

The Church had become autonomous from any particular government, and missionary activity surged across Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the relationship between the 'throne and altar' in the East tended to cause schisms?

The close identification of the Church with the secular authority resulted in the creation of national churches. Signup and view all the answers

What factors served to emphasize the Byzantine Church's connection with secular authority?

It was closely allied with the Byzantine Empire and the places she evangelized tended to become national churches. Signup and view all the answers

What political situation in the West tended to increase the sense of the universality of the Church?

The absence of strong political communities allowed the Church to identify her universality. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'national churches'.

Attached to specific states as kings and other rulers claimed some type of role in Church governance. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the East came into existence.

There was a higher Christian population, bishops appointed patriarchs, and missionary activities promoted growth. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the West came into existence.

Temporal rulers were subordinate to the papacy; they respected the papacy's authority. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Byzantine Empire Overview

The Byzantine Empire served as a significant hub for political, religious, cultural, and economic activities following the Roman Empire's decline.
It endured for approximately 1000 years with its center in Constantinople, led by Roman Empire successors.
The capital's relocation from Rome to Constantinople marked Byzantium's emergence as a primary Mediterranean power.

Disagreements Between Eastern and Western Churches

Key tensions leading to confrontations included issues around political and religious authority, liturgical practices, and the iconoclastic controversy.

Distinctions Between Byzantine and Roman Empires

The Byzantine Empire lasted 1000 years longer than the Roman Empire and originated with Christianity, contrasting with the Roman Empire's pagan roots.

Islamic Influence on the Byzantine Empire

Early Islamic conquests resulted in the Byzantine Empire losing control over 3 to 5 significant patriarchates, retaining only Rome and Constantinople.
The Islamic principle of jihad encouraged the expansion and conquest of other peoples.

Decline of the Byzantine Empire

The ascendancy of Islam culminated in the fall of Constantinople in 1453, marking the empire's demise.

Unity in Christianity Until 1000

Eastern and Western Christianity were unified through shared apostolic traditions and sacramental practices.

Cultural Synthesis in Constantinople

The city was a confluence of Roman law, Greek culture, and oriental customs, creating a rich cultural tapestry.

Full Communion in the Church

Being in "full communion" means bishops are united, and faithful share one Eucharist, symbolizing ultimate faith unity.

Role of Patriarchs in the Byzantine Church

Patriarchs, usually archbishops, were appointed by the emperor and governed Church administrative centers, a structure that persists today.

Administrative Aspects of the Church

The term "patriarchate" refers to an administrative center of the Church.

Major Patriarchates in the 5th Century

Key patriarchates included:
- Rome (Sts. Peter and Paul)
- Constantinople (St. Andrew)
- Antioch (St. Peter)
- Alexandria (St. Mark)
- Jerusalem (St. James)

Authority Dynamics in Byzantine Christianity

The emperor-patriarch relationship in Constantinople weakened the Pope's authority among Eastern Christians.

Independence of the Latin Church

The Latin Church became more autonomous from secular governing influence, which spurred missionary efforts across Europe.
Ideally, the Church aimed for universality, prioritizing evangelism over national or social boundaries.

Schisms Due to Church-State Relations

Close ties between Church and secular power in the East led to the emergence of national churches, frequently causing schisms.

Byzantine Church’s Alliance With Secular Authority

The Byzantine Church closely aligned with the empire, leading to the establishment of national churches based in local governance.

Political Context in the West

The lack of robust political structures in the West aided the Catholic Church in fostering a sense of universality.

Definition of National Churches

National churches were linked to specific states where rulers claimed authority in Church affairs.

Emergence of Eastern Christianity

Eastern Christianity developed from a larger Christian population, with bishops choosing patriarchs and promoting missionary work.

Emergence of Western Christianity

In the West, temporal rulers respected papal authority, establishing a subordinate relationship to the Church.

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Explore the Byzantine Empire and the Iconoclastic Controversy through flashcards. This chapter covers essential aspects like the Empire's role, key disagreements between the Eastern and Western Churches, and its lasting influence. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of this pivotal historical period.