Church History :Post nicene Period C. 325 A.D. – 1054 A.D. Church History


Slide 2:Trends of Change! A Shift in Power Centers


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Power Centers During the First Two Centuries Jerusalem Antioch in Syria Alexandria in Egypt Rome in Italy As Christianity spread so too did the “centers of Church power.” What began as a simple religion in Jerusalem under the leadership of Christ’s apostles (Acts 2:42) soon became a complex combination of doctrinal heresies and politics. Power centers shifted and at times Kings took control of the Church while at other times Kings became the Pawns of Popes!


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Constantine and the East 306 A.D. – Constantine comes to power 313 A.D. –Edict of Milan. 325 A.D. –Council of Nicaea 395 AD -- Constantine moves his capitol Constantine sets up his capitol in the former city of Byzantium, renames it Constantinople in honor of himself and rules the empire from the East. This new capitol becomes the headquarters for the Eastern Roman Empire which now becomes a center of learning, prosperity, and cultural preservation.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Rome Constantinople Old Rome Latin Pragmatic Legal Minded Roman Empire New Rome Greek Philosophical Abstract Thinkers Byzantine Empire The Greeks built philosophical systems – the Romans built roads!


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period East and West Begin to Drift Apart . . . The once mighty Roman Empire begins to fracture. The West pledged alliance to Rome, the East called itself after its new capitol, Byzantium. East and West would exist side by side for a time but by A.D. 500 Rome had fallen into decline, and was soon conquered. The Byzantine Empire (East) on the other hand would endure for another 1,000 years.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period As far as the East is from the West . . . The East and the West were different in many ways: Politically Culturally Philosophically Doctrinally Language Latin in the West – Greek in the East East and West Were Headed in Two Directions!


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Rome vs. Constantinople At first, Constantinople and Rome cooperated because the Roman bishops relied on the Byzantine emperors for military assistance against the barbarians. The Roman bishops also received large amounts of money from Christians until eventually, Rome became the richest of the Five Holy Sees (Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem). In time, however, problems developed between the two cities: Rome claimed supremacy based on the belief that Peter was the 1st bishop of Rome and had been granted this power by Christ in Matthew 16:18. Byzantine Emperors based their claims of supremacy on succession of leadership within the Christian Roman Empire.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period The Development of Papal Power . . . Five Major Centers vied for Power: Jerusalem Alexandria Antioch Rome Constantinople A.D. 588 – Bishop of Constantinople, John the Faster, takes title “Universal Bishop.” A.D. 606 – Emperor takes title away from John the Faster and confers it upon Boniface III of Rome. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN CATHOLIC CHURCH


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period The Greek Emperor regarded himself as the true inheritor of the Caesars and the true defender of the faith against the Muslims. The Byzantine Empire considered itself the only true inheritor both of the Roman Empire and of the Christian religion. The Patriarch of Constantinople regarded himself as the true head of the Church. The Bishop of Rome (the pope) was the bishop of a great and honorable city, on a par with the Patriarch of Jerusalem or Antioch or Alexandria, but definitely a step below Constantinople and in any case tainted with unorthodoxy. Constantinople Asserts Itself


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period After the Fall of the West in A.D. 476 . . . Individuals who spoke both Latin and Greek began to dwindle, Communication between East and West grew much more difficult. With linguistic unity gone, cultural unity crumbled. East and West developed different rites, doctrines, and practices. Time and prejudices drove the wedge deeper between the Western Church and the Eastern Church eventually resulting in the “The Great Schism.”


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Mutual Excommunication in 1054 In 1054 Rome sent envoys to Constantinople to insist that the Patriarch of Constantinople recognize the supremacy of Rome. The Patriarch of Constantinople refused and was excommunicated by Rome. Constantinople promptly excommunicated Rome. In reality no single event brought about a separation between East and West. However, the separation that occurred came to be known as “The Great Schism.”


Slide 13:Trends of Change! Monasticism and Asceticism


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Various Trends that Entered the “Church” Monasticism: Monasticism was integral to Byzantine life. It helped preserve beliefs and also literature of the period. Monasticism in the Church arose in the late 3rd century. By the early sixth century, there were over seventy monasteries in the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. Monks and nuns came to play critical roles in the doctrinal debates at the center of imperial politics.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Why Monasticism Arose: An extreme view of separation between church and the world. A hyper-literal interpretation of scripture speaking of self denial. With less martyrdom, people began to look for ways to demonstrate their faith. With the legalization of Christianity hoards came into the Church for the wrong reasons and Christianity was watered down. Monasticism was a reaction to this.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Anthony of the Desert (A.D. 251 -356) Born to well to do parents in Egypt Heard the story of The Rich Young Ruler Sells 300 acres of fertile land and gives money to poor Goes off into the desert Has “jousts” with the Devil. Travelers reported hearing his shreiks Drew followers from all over the world. Much lore surrounds him Considered “The Father of Monks”


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Simeon Stylites (A.D. 390-459) An extreme monk At age 23 he chained himself to a rock and lived in a cave for 40 days When the chain was removed 20 fat bugs were found where the chain had covered his ankle. He refused to allow the bugs to be removed. One summer he had himself buried in a trench every day up to his chin and was dug out every night.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Simeon Stylites cont. His most famous act was at age 33 he took up residence on a platform 60 feet in the air and lived there the rest of his life. He took no baths and his followers cherished the worms that fell from his body. He constantly cut himself to open new wounds and allowed the bugs to feed off him. One act was to touch his forehead to his feet over and over and it is reported that he might do this upward of 1200 times in succession.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period St. Basil of Caesarea (A.D. 329-379) Established a monastery in 358 A.D. Wrote the “rule” for Eastern Monasticism Bring monks into monasteries Remove monasticism from the desert. Restrict the austerity and self inflicted suffering Encourage learning.


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period Benedict of Nursia (A.D. 480-550) Was to the West what St. Basil was to the East. Focused on holiness Organized followers into small monasteries. His Rule encourages humility, poverty and obedience. Book of Psalms was to be chanted every week


The Post Nicene Period :The Post Nicene Period End of Part 3