The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe. The Christian Church Takes Shape Around 30 C.E.: Jesus...
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Transcript of The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe. The Christian Church Takes Shape Around 30 C.E.: Jesus...
The Christian Church Takes Shape• Around 30 C.E.: Jesus
teaches to small group of followers
• Romans persecute Christians
• 313 C.E.: Constantine legalizes Christianity
• 395 C.E.: Christianity becomes recognized religion of the Roman Empire
• In the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Charlemagne helps unify the church.
The Increasing Power of the Church• By 1050 C.E.:
– the Catholic Church taxes everybody (tithe) 10%
– is largest landowner in Europe
– has great political power because only clergy could read
The Increasing Power of the Church (cont.)
• 1073-1085: Pope Gregory VII undertook several reforms – forbidding priests to
marry – outlawing the selling of
church offices – banned the practice of
kings appointing priests, bishops, and the heads of monasteries
– excommunicated the Holy Roman Emperor: Henry IV because Henry objected to the reforms
Sacraments and Salvation
• Catholic Church states that to achieve salvation one needs to follow the church’s teachings and live a moral life
Seven Sacraments• Baptism• Confirmation• Holy Eucharist• Matrimony • Holy Orders• Penance • Anointing of the Sick
Pilgrimages and Crusades• Christians went on pilgrimages to visit holy sites and visit relics
• In England many visited the shrine of Thomas Becket
• Pilgrimages were made to Rome and Jerusalem
• Crusades were holy wars to free the Holy Land from infidels
Art and Architecture
• During the Middle Ages most art was made for religious purposes
• As people couldn’t read, art helped tell the story of Jesus
• Cathedrals: were the tallest buildings in town; were named for the chair the bishop sat on; were usually built in the shape of a cross; took 50 –100 years to build.
Education
• Most schooling took place in monasteries, convents, and cathedrals
• In the 1200s, universities develop and teach many subjects including: rhetoric and theology
• Thomas Aquinas tried to bridge gap between faith and reason; created concept of natural law
Monks, Nuns, and Mendicants
• Monks live secluded religious lives.
• Monasticism• Convents• Illuminated
manuscripts were created by monks by hand and kept knowledge of the past alive
• Friars traveled among the people
The Organization of the Catholic Church
Clergy• Pope• Cardinals• Archbishops• Bishops• Priests