Lesson 5: A Christian Europe

Key Idea

For centuries, the Christian Church was mostly united. But over time, Christians in Western Europe and the Byzantine Empire began to disagree on leadership and religious practices. The church in the West looked to the Pope in Rome, while the church in the East was guided by its own leaders.

These disagreements led to a final break in 1054, an event known as the Great Schism. This split officially divided Christianity into two main branches.

Key Idea

In the Byzantine Empire, the government and the church were closely connected. The Byzantine emperor was not just the head of the state; he was also seen as the protector of the Eastern Orthodox Church and had significant power over it.

This meant the emperor could appoint the patriarch of Constantinople, the highest church official in the East. The emperor also played a key role in deciding church rules and practices. This system created a powerful partnership between the emperor and the church in the East.

Key Idea

A major disagreement grew over who should lead the Christian church. In the Byzantine Empire, church leaders known as patriarchs shared power. But in Rome, the bishop began calling himself the Pope and claimed he had authority over all Christians.

The Pope argued he was the heir to Saint Peter, one of Jesus's original apostles. He believed this gave him supreme authority over the entire church. The Byzantine emperor and the Eastern patriarchs strongly rejected this claim.

Key Idea

Many Christians in the Byzantine Empire prayed using icons, which were holy images of religious figures. They believed these sacred paintings and mosaics helped them feel closer to God.

However, a powerful group known as iconoclasts, or "image-breakers," argued that this was a form of idol worship. Several emperors agreed and ordered the destruction of icons across the empire, creating a bitter and violent conflict.