Key Concepts in Medieval Christianity: Schisms, Icons, and Church Authority

To respect and honor (for icons, relics, saints)

Veneration

Highest church official

Patriarch

Belief that Church councils have greater authority than the pope

Conciliarism

political figure has authority who becomes leader of church

Caesaropapism

west used unleavened bread while east used leavened bread to show that Jesus rose

Leavened/unleavened

a division caused by differences of belief

Schism

an edict issued by the Pope

Papal Bull

A city of the local bishop

See

rule of 5 (Eastern)

Pentarchy

Rule of 1 (Western)

Monarchy

Symbol or image of something sacred (paintings, statues)

Icon

Destroying images, especially those set up for religious veneration

Iconoclasm

To worship and glorify; only for God (or else its idolatry)

Adoration

the formal Profession of Faith recited at Mass

Nicene Creed

"and the Son"; shows equalty between Father & Son; east opposed it

Filioque

Heresey that Jesus was not quite divine

Arianism

Head of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope

Ordered the destruction of images of Christ (this launched the struggle that contributed to the ultimate split); believed icons were a form of idolatry

Eastern Emperor Leo III

Opposed to popes authority

Patriarch Michael Cerularius

Cardinal who excommunicated Michael Cerularius in the Great Schism

Cardinal Humbert

the church where Cardinal Humbert lays papal bull excommunicating Cerularius on the high altar

Hagia Sophia

the buying and selling of church powers

Simony

secular people appoint church officials

Lay investiture

release from an earthly punishment for sin (was being sold after the schism)

Indulgences

Rules that govern the functioning of the Church

Canon law

means "with a key"; election process for popes

Conclave

means "hinge"; elects the pope

Cardinal

The official teaching body of the church

Magisterium

the magisterium

Church with a capital c refers to _____

successors of the apostles; guardians and teachers of the deposit of faith

Bishops

Scripture and Tradition

Deposit of Faith

Rome - Western Roman Empire

Constantinople - Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire

Alexandria - Egypt

Antioch - Syria region

Jerusalem - Holy Land

The 5 Patriarchal Sees

The West believed the Church should have one supreme leader: the Pope Rome was the capital of the old Roman Empire.

The East believed the Church should be led by five equal patriarchs. They emphasized shared authority among bishops.

Why did the Western Church (Catholic) see the church as a monarchy and why did the eastern church (orthodox) see it as a pentarchy?

They help believers:

Focus in prayer

Remember holy figures

How are icons helpful for the faith?

Eastern Icons: Very symbolic, Gold backgrounds

Western Icons/Art: More realistic, Focus on emotion and human appearance

Identify differences between Western and Eastern icons.

It was called to settle the icon controversy. Barrier = Many iconoclasts still opposed icons, causing division between groups in the Byzantine Empire.

Why the Second Council of Nicea took place and the barrier that was presented at the Council.

Western Church: Pope had supreme authority; no political rulers

Eastern Church

Emperor often had influence over the church; Patriarchs shared authority

Differences in Power (East vs West)

The Pope sent representatives to Constantinople. They excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch then excommunicated them back.

Result

Christianity permanently split into:

Roman Catholic Church (West)

Eastern Orthodox Church (East)

The Great Schism of 1054

When a pope dies or resigns:

Cardinals gather in Rome.

They enter a secret meeting called a conclave.

Cardinals vote for a new pope.

A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority.

White smoke from the Vatican chimney signals that a new pope has been chosen.

Papal Election Process (Brief)

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