Christianity In The Church, Christianity, And Christianity

Christianity originated from Rome, and it was mostly Jews that accepted this religion but not only them. Moreover, it is based on the idea of a Messiah, one that would save all from their sins. It was founded circa 1st century C.E. and is centered on a trinity, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, the religion christianity is narrated mostly about Jesus Christ, a God that came down from heaven as a man who spoke about life, death, resurrection, and many other teachings. The three major branches of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism as well as small branches in each category. During this time, the religion itself grew exponentially in Rome because it appealed directly with

Religion is the belief and worship of a higher power which is in control of the universe. The most popular religions in the world today are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All four of these religions teach peace. However, followers do not always get along with each other peacefully. All of these religions have a moral code to live by and encourage devotion and prayer.

Icons, frescos, incredible woodcarvings by masters that have devoted their lives to the craft, just take my breath away. These are depictions that follow centuries-old traditions established during the 7th Ecumenical council in the 8th century. By old Byzantine tradition the Orthodox Church makes no distinguished difference in the worship between the spiritual and the beautifully appealing. The visitor to the temple becomes aware of God's manifestation through the senses, in the experience of brilliance and magnificence.

The Roman basilica was one example of architecture that Early Christians took inspiration from. Old Saint Peter’s was designed based off of it, with similarities in the elevation of the building and design plan. Like most basilicas in Rome, Old Saint Peter’s church has a “wide central nave with flanking aisles and an apse at the end” (Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 8-2b). The church

Justinian of Constantinople took throne in 527 over the Byzantine Empire, he was known for his tight and harsh reign of control and the architecture he inspired through his beliefs such as the Hagia Sophia and the San Vitale (Cunningham, Pg. 224). Justinian lived in a region clashing with Orthodox and Arian Christians, both of which believed that God was divine but they had a slight difference in their views of Jesus Christ (Cunningham, Pg. 224). His personal belief was in the Orthodox Christianity and viewed Jesus in both forms, divine like god and a human (Cunningham, Pg. 225 & 229). The Arian Christians believed Jesus was not directly connected to god but was made by and separated from god (Cunningham, Pg. 238 (Glossary)). Justinian’s central

For instance, in the Hagia Sophia Church created by Justinian during his reign, multiple windows surround the base of the central dome, making the illusion that it is as if it was floating. The windows appear as "a golden chain from Heaven". With this innovative yet smoothly executed iconography in the architecture of the church, worshipers were presented with a spiritual setting in which they could bask in. Byzantine art established the churches as the second heaven.

The portrayal of Christ has been developed throughout the centuries, and is very much influenced by the socio-political and cultural environments. The Byzantine Empire has become a great influence on the use of Christian religious art and architecture, which will be continually built upon and developed through history. Though still influenced by the Classical tradition, Christian art will evolve into a new and widespread style under the rule of Justinian and Theodora. Christ as the Good Shepherd in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, shows the development of the portrayal of Christ from a humble shepherd to a royal deity, that reflects the influence of the Byzantine Empire, and his role as a ruler over his people.

The Latin cross has a long arm with a short one crossing it on one end. This cross is used in early Christian architecture. When building medieval churches in the West, the Latin cross plan was followed. Saint Peter’s and Saint Paul’s basilica demonstrate the use of the Latin cross. The architecture of both of these churches were molded off of the Latin cross. The north and south arms of the transept extend to form a Latin cross. “Crossing the transept, one continued toward the triumphal arch that framed the apse, the semicircular space beyond the transept. In the apse, at an altar that stood on a raised platform, one received the sacrament of Holy Communion” (Fiero 182). The Greek cross has four arms of equal length. This cross is used in Byzantine architecture. The Hagia Sophia is an example of the Greek cross plan, even though the Latin cross plan was incorporated into this structure. Hagia Sophia was constructed by the East Roman emperor Justinian. Light is symbolic to Byzantine liturgy so the mosaics and marble surfaces were illuminated. Once Constantinople fell, the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque and the mosaics were removed. “Hagia Sophia marks the golden age of Byzantine art and architecture that took place under the leadership of the emperor Justinian” (Fiero 186). The Latin cross plan directs the eye toward the alter, the Greek cross plan directs the eye upward towards the

Have you ever wondered how Christianity was spread in the early stages? and what influenced it? Rome held a huge part in both of these things. The Roman emperors, culture, and the Roman religion all were things that influenced early Christianity very much.

Distribution of Christians Europe, the Western Hemisphere, South Pacific, and some African countries are predominantly Christian.

Byzantine focusses back to religion all works of art are in service to Christianity, in that time Christainity has been established due to the Edict of Milan and to Constantine in power. There is no humanism, because it was relied on naturalism, stylization, technique and the progression of time periods and the ideals that shaped humanism for those cultures do not come to play in the Byzantine. The Byzantine traits are the following are flat, decorative, lack of two dimension, abstraction, the use of colors, gold leaf and the narrative of the bible the focus in the no longer “ man is the measure of all things” has transitioned to “Christ is the measure of all things”. It reflects the change in Cathedral of Santa Maria Nouva the abstraction to enhance the forms of It contains the flatness, the gold leaf to show illumination, beautiful as well for the abstraction is to the enhance the piece it is shown in the body, the surface quality. Depicts a story of Adam and Eve. Another example is Venice St Mark, it is the same as the Santa Maria Nouva, a narrative story of the bible; it Christ leading the Virgin Mary and his followers out of hell, this is to bring you to the mortality of death. It always has a hidden purpose to bring the viewers to be grounded to see the what is

Today we look at three  more of the seven churches, in our study of the “History of the Christian Church. “

The Byzantine Empire has built many architecture sculptures, icons, and buildings throughout its time of existence, that the Byzantine Greeks enjoyed looking at. People could visit the most beautiful mosaics and look at the beautiful domes of the Hagia Sophia that was built in the 5th century by Emperor Theodosius II, or they could pay homage and look at the beautiful Colossus of Constantine. But, if you want to look at the social center of Byzantine life then you would have to go to the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome is where people would go to attend and watch chariot races, festival, and see political figures amongst the people. If you were there on a lucky day you could have seen Constantine the Great or Emperor Theodosius root for there favorite

In his hardback titled The Church: Contours of Christian Theology, Edmund P. Clowney writes a systematic presentation about concerning the doctrine of the church. In chapter eight of his book, he describes the Marks of the Church. Clowney writes about the marks of a true church of Christ, which include the true preaching of the Word of God; the proper observation of the sacraments; and the faithful exercise of church discipline.

The architecture of this building reflects Biblical references seen in the Christian religion. For instance, Romanesque Cathedrals were built in the shape of the cross that Jesus Christ died on. As well, the altars located inside the cathedrals pointed east, towards the city of Jerusalem, indicating that the world is waiting for the second coming of Christ (Nero). Not only did the architecture of Romanesque cathedrals reference to Christianity, but it also helped advance the knowledge of the religion. Therefore, the innovations that led to the change from Romanesque to Gothic architecture allowed cathedrals to expand upon the principles their building stile already