Eastern Orthodoxy
The Byzantine Empire of Eastern Europe was centered around the city of Constantinople which existed for nearly 1,000 years after the
collapse of Rome. As the heir to Rome, it promoted a brilliant civilization that blended ancient Greek, Roman and Christian influences with
other traditions of the Mediterranean world. The Byzantine Empire was united by their own form of Christianity, Eastern Orthodoxy. The roots
of this form of Christianity originated from the earliest church established by St. Paul and the Apostles. These Christians believed in the
teachings of Jesus, the Bible, the sacraments, a church hierarchy (bishops, and priest) and intolerance toward other non Christians (Islam).
E. Orthodox Christians did not recognize the Pope as the head of their Church. Instead they had their own Patriarch, or highest
church official, which was appointed by the emperor. The emperor assumed the role of both “Cesar” (head of
state) and the Pope (head of the Church). Thus, the emperor appointed the Patriarch, or
leader of the E. Orthodox Church. He also sometimes made decisions about church laws,
called church councils into meetings, and generally treated the church as a department of the
Byzantine government. Because of the Emperor’s power Byzantine Christians rejected the
Roman Catholic Pope’s claim to authority over all Christians.
The cultural diversity in the region in which Eastern Orthodoxy developed can bee seen in its symbolic
characteristics. For example, the E. Orthodox Christians were especially known for their colorful mosaics, pictures made
with pieces of cut stone glass. The Church of Hagia Sophia is an example of such art and architecture. Other defining
characteristics included the ability of Eastern Orthodoxy Priest to marry, let their beards grow long and their use of the Greek
language as the official Eastern Orthodox Church language.
One of the greatest achievements of the Byzantine Empire was the Code of Justinian. Emperor Justinian collected all of the existing
Roman laws and organized them into a single code. This code had specific laws relating to religion. For example, it required all persons in the
empire to belong to the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith, giving the government power and influence on the religion of the Byzantine people.
Roman Catholics
During the Middle Ages the Roman Catholic Church remained the single most powerful organization in Western Europe. The Roman
Catholics shared features with the Eastern Orthodox Christians such as the belief in the teachings of Jesus, the Bible, the sacraments, a church
hierarchy (bishops and priest) and intolerance toward other non Christians (Islam). However, these two Christian churches
often competed with each other for the right to claim the legacy of Imperial Rome.
After the fall of the Roman Empire the Roman Catholic Church remained a part of Western Europe’s structure.
These religious people believed that the Roman Catholic Church represented God and held the power to send a person to
Heaven or Hell. Most Western Europeans felt united by their common faith and therefore organized themselves into
regional kingdoms connected by Catholicism. The church was lead by the Pope in Rome. The Pope was regarded as the
successor of St. Peter, leader of the Apostles, after the death of Jesus. Catholics believed that the Pope had inherited the
role of running the church. Roman Popes claimed to be the sole and final authority for all Christians however; Eastern
Orthodox Christians did not recognize the authority of the Pope. The Pope governed the church with the help
of cardinals, bishops and other church officials. Another church leader, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote a book that
provided a summary of Christian beliefs. He compared the teachings of Aristotle with Christian teachings.
Aquinas also believed in the existence of “natural law.” These laws were independent of any laws passed by
government and told Roman Catholics to “do good and to avoid evil”.
Many nobles in Feudal societies left land to the church when they died hoping to gain entry into
heaven. Therefore, the Roman Catholic Church controlled enormous amounts of land in Western Europe and
possessed monasteries, abbeys and convents where monks and nuns spent their lives devoted to prayer. For Roman Catholics, Latin
remained the official language of the Church and of the elites in society. Other defining characteristics include: Roman Catholic Priest shaved
their beards and after the year 1050 were to remain celibate. The Catholic Church was the main center of learning because church officials
were usually the only people who could read and write.
The Church and government officials often reinforced each others power. Rulers provided protection and encouragement, in return the
Church offered religious legitimacy for the powerful and wealthy. However, Catholic leaders often contested the role of government in its
appointment of church officials, thus a separation of church and government.