Icon Controversy

Slide 1: 

Religious Stuff that caused a problem! Icons & Iconoclasts

What is an Icon? : 

What is an Icon? They appear in several forms; in mural painting, mosaic and most typically painted on small wooded panels. Flat 2 dimensional religious images can be venerated in special ways - prayed to and carried aloft in religious processions - and specific technical rules guide their artisic form

What was the problem? : 

What was the problem? Some Byzantine Christians opposed icons - they thought it was wrong to worship something that was man- made. Worship should only be made to God. These anti-icon Christians became known as “ICONOCLASTS” - meaning icon smashers Those in favor thought they helped the faithful honor the figures represented.

How did this problem begin? : 

How did this problem begin? In 730, Byzantine Emperor Leo III banned the use of icons , religious images used by Eastern Christians to aid their devotions. This Byzantine emperor viewed the use of icons as idol worship. People responded with riots, and the clergy rebelled.

Slide 10: 

In the West, the Roman pope became involved in this eastern dispute and supported the use of icons. One pope even ordered the excommunication of a Byzantine emperor—that is, he declared the emperor to be an outcast from the Church. A Rift Develops

The Great Schism : 

The Great Schism After decades of controversy the Byzantines finally accepted icons. In 1054 the Christian church split into 2 churches forever. In the West; the Roman Catholic (universal) Church. In the East; the Eastern Orthodox (correct belief) Church. So what’s the difference?

The West - Roman Catholic Church : 

The West - Roman Catholic Church Mass was in Latin Pope was Supreme head of Church in the West - above any political ruler Priests could NOT marry Religious icons of martyrs and saints to be respected Only Pope and Bishops could interpret the scriptures.

Slide 13: 

The POPE is the leader of the WESTERN Roman Catholic Church.

The East- Orthodox Church : 

The East- Orthodox Church “Mass” was in Greek - so everyone could understand. Monks who did missionary work often converted it into the language of the people they were trying to convert The Byzantine Emperor was superior to Patriarch of Constantinople. Priests could marry Icons caused much controversy - used but disapproved of.

Slide 15: 

The leader of the EASTERN Orthodox Church is the “PATRIARCH”.

Similarities andDifferences : 

Similarities andDifferences

What was the result? : 

What was the result? Christianity officially split between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East.

Summary of events : 

Summary of events The Great Schism of 1054 was the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches. The Christian Church split due to religious beliefs and differences in leadership and practice of faith. The split, the Great Schism of 1054, led to the development of the modern Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

Why did all this happen?Most historians think……. : 

Why did all this happen?Most historians think……. *The churches of Rome (west) and Constantinople (east) grew in power and became rivals more for their political status rather than for any spiritual or religious reasons. *The disagreement over the use of religious ICONS was just an excuse for church leaders in the east and west to claim power over practicing Christians throughout the world.

Character of East : 

Character of East Cosmopolitan - influenced by diverse ideas as eastern mysticism, Greek and Roman secular and pagan culture, and Monophysitism (doctine that holds Christ’s nature as divine not human) Greeks, Turks, Bulgars, Jews, Italians, Russians, Slavs, Khazars, Persians and Armenians all lived in Constantinople. Such diverse cultures contributed to the unique form of Christianity that developed in the East.