Timeline of Christianity: Power Structure of the Middle Ages in Europe

Early Christianity: Not Allowed

1. Early Heresy– A. Started out as a minor group amongst Judaism, but not really

accepted by Judaism or Rome

2. Martyrdom– A. Persecution by Roman Emperors (and other groups)

• 1) Forced Christians into secrecy and a faith that glorifies those who die for beliefs

3. Edict of Milan (313CE): Constantine gives legal status to Christianity (legitimizes it)– A It becomes official religion in 380CE

4. 392 CE- Christianity made Empire’s only legal faith

Organizing a Church- OK SO HOW DO WE RUN OURSELVES?

Now no persecution- so they focused on ecclesiastical organizationSet up a formal hierarchy of priests/bishops Bishop of Rome is given the title of “Pope” in 5th century

Organizing a Church- OK SO HOW DO WE RUN OURSELVES?

Official body of dogma (an officially agreed upon set of beliefs) Christ as both fully human and fully divine Trinity- God is 3 persons equally of God the

Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit

If not a belief then it is heresy (belief that goes against official doctrine)

Organizing a Church- OK SO HOW DO WE RUN OURSELVES?

Organized Christian Texts into Christian Bible Old Testament (Hebrew Torah, stories from Jewish history, writings of Hebrew prophets) New Testament (Four Gospels, episodes from history of early Christian church, letters of Apostles)

Councils of 300s+ (used to decide organizational structures)

Council of Nicea- 320s called by Constantine Results- Nicene Creed (a declaration of

fundamental Christian beliefs) Members

Jerome (347-420CE): Vulgate Bible was first Latin translation (architect)

Augustine (354-430CE): wrote “City of God” which is considered to have laid the foundation for the development of Christian doctrine

Dual Centers of Christianity

Constantinople and Rome Great Schism of 1054CE: Western and

Eastern churches split formally and permanently– Western Church takes control (Roman Catholic

Church)

Hierarchy of the Church

Priest>Bishop>Archbishop>Cardinal (Papal advisors)>Pope – Also have monks and nuns

Papal Power – Excommunication: expulsion from the Church– Crusades: holy wars – Church was a huge landowner (Papal States)

Hierarchy of the Church

Christendom: Ultimate goal of medieval popes was to join all nations of Europe into Christian community to be governed by Pope, with kings/emperors subject to his rule

1231- Holy Inquisition: a special court with wide ranging powers established to hunt out and harshly punish heresy

Religious Practices Grab bag HOW DO WE WORSHIP?

Francis of Assisi – Friars: “brother”, monks that went into the

world to preach, lived by begging, no property or personal wealth

Mass: Catholic worship service – Communion: taking of bread and wine to

symbolize the body and blood of Christ (we will discuss further)

Religious Practices Grab bag HOW DO WE WORSHIP?

Pray to saints – Example: Mary (mother of Jesus),

named cathedrals after her like Notre Dame (“our mother”)

Relics – Bones or personal belongings of

saints

Pilgrims – Religious travelers who journey to

holy places (like Jerusalem)