How did romans treat Christians?
Roman officials began to see the christians as a threat to the government. All the people in the empire were usually allowed to worship freely, but the romans expected everyone to honor the emperor as a God. But the Christians refuse, they claimed that only 1 god could be worshipped. They also refuse to serve in the army and political office, they criticized roman festivals and games. So with them believing that the romans saw them as traitors that should be punished.
In 64 the roman government to persecute (mistreat) christians. During that time, the emperor Nero accused christians who started the terrible fire that burned much of Rome. Christians were made illegal, and many christians were killed or persecuted. During those difficult times, many Christians became martyrs (people willing to die for their beliefs). According to their beliefs, christians were forced to bury their dead in Catacombs (underground burial places). Christianity spread no matter what, it even drew people from all classes. Fearing the end of the empire and their tiredness of war, they romans begun to admire the faith and courage of the Christians. At the same time, many Christians started to accept the empire.
In 64 the roman government to persecute (mistreat) christians. During that time, the emperor Nero accused christians who started the terrible fire that burned much of Rome. Christians were made illegal, and many christians were killed or persecuted. During those difficult times, many Christians became martyrs (people willing to die for their beliefs). According to their beliefs, christians were forced to bury their dead in Catacombs (underground burial places). Christianity spread no matter what, it even drew people from all classes. Fearing the end of the empire and their tiredness of war, they romans begun to admire the faith and courage of the Christians. At the same time, many Christians started to accept the empire.
Why does rome adopt christianity?
In the early 300s the emperor Diocletian carried out the last great persecution of Christians. Well he failed, and the roman officials realized that christianity grew too strong to be destroyed by force. Then in 312, the roman emperor Constantine accepted Christianity. According to tradition, Constantine saw a flaming cross in the sky as he was about to go in battle, beneath the cross were that latin words that meant : In this sign you will conquer". well he won the battle and believed that the Christian god had helped him. In 313nConstantine issued an order called the edict of Milan it gave religious freedom to all people and made Christianity legal. He began giving government support to Christianity, With the help of his mother, Helena, he built churches in Rome and Jerusalem. He also let church officials serve in government and excused them from paying taxes. Constantine's successor, the emperor Theodosius made Christianity Rome's official religion in 392. At this time, he outlawed other religions.
What is the New Testament?
Church leaders preserved a written record of the life of Jesus and put together a group of writings to help guide Christians. Since Jesus didn't leave no writings , his followers passed on what they knew about him. By 300, 4 accounts of Jesus' life teaching and resurrection had become well-known. Christians believe these accounts were written by early disciples of Jesus named Matthew, Mark,Luke, and John. Each work was called a gospel, which means "good news". Christians later combined the 4 gospels with the writing of Paul and other early Christian leaders. Together, these works form the New Testament of the bible.
~The new Testament~
Who is the new pope?
As the church grew, the bishop of Rome claimed power over the bishop. He believed that he had the authority of Peter, Jesus' leading disciples. Also, his diocese was in Rome, the Capital of the empire. BY 600, the Bishop of Rome had gained a special title-Pope. The titile comes from the latin word meaning "father", Latin-speaking Christians accepted the pope as head of the church. Their churches became known as Roman Catholic Church. Greek-speaking christians would not accept the pope's authority over them, and will form their own church in the Eastern Roman Empire, which is the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Church |
The church of Rome survived the fall of the western roman empire. Its head, the pope became the strongest leader in Western Europe. Under the pope, the latin churches of the region became known as the Roman Catholic Church. However in the past, the roman empire continued. It developed into the Byzantine Empire. Like roman catholics in the west , the byzantine developed their own form of Christianity. It was based on their greek heritage and was known as the Eastern Orthodox Church.
What was the Great schism? Catholic vs. Orthodox
idols were not the only issue that caused bitterness between the churches of Constantinople in Rome. the most serious argument was about how churches were to be run. The pope claimed that he was the head of all Christians Churches.The Byzantine's didn't accept the pope's claim. They believed that Patriarch of Constantinople and other bishops were equal to the pope. Making matters worse was the fact that each church sometimes refused to help each other when outsiders attacked. In the Byzantine Empire, the emperor was in control with church leaders respecting his wishes. However in the west, the pope claimed both spiritual and political power . He often quarreled with kings over church and government affairs. Finally after centuries of tension, the pope and patriarch of Constantinople took a drastic step in their ongoing feud. In 1054 they excommunicated ( to declare that a person or group no longer belongs to the church) each other. This was known as the Great Schism. This began a separation of the 2 most important branches of Christianity, the split between the roman catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church has lasted to this day.
How does Christianity spread west?
In the west, Christian missionaries looked to the islands of Britain and Ireland. In the 300s, Romans soldiers in Britain were called home to defend the empire against Germanic invaders. When the Romans left, Britain was opened to attacks by others. Starting in the 400s tribes from what are today Germany and Denmark invaded Britain. These people were the angels and Saxons. these groups united to become the Anglo-Saxons. they built settlements and set up several small kingdoms. the southern Part of Britain soon became known as Angleland, or England. While invading Britain, the Angles and Saxons pushed aside the people already living there. These people were called the celts. Some celts fled to the mountainous regions of Britain. Others went to Ireland. In the 400s, a priest named Patrick, brought Christianity to Ireland. He set up a number of monasteries and churches. Over the next centuries, Irish monks played an important role in preserving Christian and Roman learning. The angle-saxon kingdoms of Britain were slower than Ireland to accept the Ne religion. In 597 Pope Gregory 1 sent about 40 missionaries from Rome to take Christianity to England. The missionaries converted Ethelbert, a ruler of the English Kingdom of Kent. Ethelbert allowed the missionaries to build a church in his capital city of Canterbury. In about 100 years, most of England was christian. Today, Canterbury is still an important center of Christianity in England.
SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY VIDEO :)
|
~How Christianity spread throughout
|