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Chapter 3

Chapter 3. The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe. The Christian Church in Rome. Christians, the followers Jesus, were persecuted by the Romans In 313 (~300 years later), Emperor Constantine allowed Christians to practice their religion freely

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Chapter 3

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  1. Chapter 3 The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe

  2. The Christian Church in Rome • Christians, the followers Jesus, were persecuted by the Romans • In 313 (~300 years later), Emperor Constantine allowed Christians to practice their religion freely • In 395CE, Christianity became the recognized religion of the Roman Empire

  3. The Christian Church in the Middle Ages • All Christians were part of the Roman Catholic Church- there was no other type of Christianity • One of the few ties that people had to a more stable time • Provided leadership

  4. Organization of the Church 1. Pope- supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) 2. Cardinals- appointed by the Pope to assist and counsel him 3. Archbishops- oversaw large areas called archdioceses 4. Bishops- governed areas called dioceses from great cathedrals 5. Priests- governed smaller areas called parishes within each dioceses (had it’s own church building)

  5. Economic and Political Power of the Church • The largest landholder in all of Europe • Added to it’s wealth by collecting tithe (tax)- each person had to give 1/10 of his or her money, produce, or labor • The only common language was Latin- the language of the church • Since Church officials were the only ones who could read or write, they became advisors to the kings and kept records for the kings

  6. King Henry IV vs. Pope Gregory VII • Pope Gregory made many reforms to the Church • Forbidding priests to marry • Outlawing of selling church offices • Forbid kings to appoint priests and bishops • King Henry was mad and declared that Pope Gregory was no longer Pope • Gregory did not like this and excommunicated King Henry • Finally, Henry begged for forgiveness

  7. Sacraments and Salvation • The church taught that people gained salvation (went to heaven when they died) by following the church’s teachings and living a moral life. • To gain salvation, Christians also had to receive the seven sacraments

  8. Pilgrimages • A pilgrimage is a journey to the holy land to show their devotion to God. • Jerusalem • Churches with relics such as the cathedral and Canterbury • Most people hoped to go on one at some point in their lives even though it was very difficult and dangerous.

  9. Monasteries • Monasteries were places of religious devotion. • Monasteries provided hospitality to refugees and travelers (there weren’t any hotels back then) • Monasteries also organized the distribution of food

  10. Crusades • Military expeditions to recover Jerusalem (the holy land) and other religious sites from the Muslims and non-Christians. • Some people went to gain wealth or adventure while others went to gain salvation.

  11. Art • Most art was made for religious purposes • Since most people did not know how to read art helped tell the story of Christ’s life.

  12. Architecture • Cathedrals were built to inspire awe • They were the tallest buildings in towns- visual expressions of Christian devotion. • Built in the shape of a cross • Designed in the gothic style • Each one took 50- 100 years to construct

  13. Education • Most schooling took place in monasteries, convents, and cathedrals • Began to use lower and uppercase letters • Most students were sons of nobles who wanted to become part of the clergy • Most education was memorizing prayers and passages from the bible in Latin • In the late 1200’s universities began. They studied Latin, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy and music • Books were written by hand and very rare • The church did not support studying Aristotle and other Greek philosophers

  14. Thomas Aquinas • Italian scholar • Tired to bridge the gap between reason and faith- brought Christian theology and ancient philosophy together • Natural law • An order built into nature that could guide people’s thinking about right and wrong • Since God had created nature, natural law agreed with the moral teaching of the Bible

  15. Holidays • Most celebrations connected to the Church • Christmas and Easter were the 2 most important holidays • Christmas lasted for 12 days- no Christmas trees, but decorated with evergreens, holly berries, and mistletoe • Lord of the manor hosted a Christmas feast • Easter was a day of worship, feasting, and games (with eggs- a symbol of new life) • Also had bonfires, acrobats, jugglers, and dancing bears

  16. Monks, Nuns, and Mendicants • Men and Women who devoted their lives to the Church • Took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience • Spent their days in prayer, study and work • Focused on cared for the poor and sick, teaching, and copying religious texts (especially illuminated manuscripts) • Mendicants took the same vows without living in monasteries

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