The Christian Church
How did Romans treat Christians?
Roman officials saw the Christians as a threat to the Roman government. In the Roman Empire people were allowed to worship freely as long as they honored the Emperor as a God. Like the Jews Christians refused to do this, they said that only one God could be worshipped. Not only did Christians refuse to see the Emperor as a God but they also refused to serve in the army or hold public office. As a result Christians were seen by the Romans as traitors who need to be punished. Christianity was then made illegal and many Christians were killed.
Why does Rome adopt Christianity?
The Roman Emperor Diocletain carried out the last persecution of Christians, and he failed, he soon realized that Christianity had become too strong to be destroyed by force. Later in 312 BCE Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity, when he saw a flaming cross in the sky before battle, he believed that the Christian God had helped to win the battle. He later issued the Edict of Milan which gave people the right to worship freely and made Christianity legal again.
What is the New Testament and Pope?
Jesus left no writings about his life, but 4 of his early disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did. They left 4 accounts of Jesus' life, teaching and resurrection. Each work was called a gospel, and was later combined with the writings of Paul to make the New Testament. As the church grew the bishop of Rome believed that he had the power of Peter and therefor held power over all bishops. Later the bishop gained a special title - Pope which means father in Latin. Christians who spoke Greek did not accept the Pope's authority so they went to go form a church of their own.
What was the Great Schism?
The two church argued about who had the most religious control. The Pope claimed that he was the head of all Christian churches, but the Byzantines believed that the Patriarch of Constantinople and other bishops were equal to the Pope. After many centuries of tension, the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated, this was known as the Great Schism, excommunication means to declare a person as no longer being part of the Church.
How does Christianity spread to England?
In the West, Christian missionaries looked to the islands of Britain and Ireland. Roman soldiers were sent home to defend the Empire from Germanic tribes, after the Roman left Britain was open to attacks from other outsiders. As a result of this tribes from what is now Germany and Denmark invaded Britain, and built many settlements and set up small kingdoms. While invading England these tribes pushed the other people living there aside, causing some to flee to the mountainous regions of Britain and others to flee to Ireland. A priest named Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, and in 597 the Pope sent 40 missionaries to bring Christianity to England.