The Importance Of Christianity In The Byzantine Church Of Saint George

Early Christian and Byzantine art started after Jesusí death in the first century ranging and ending to the fourth century AD. The art produced during this period was secretive because Christianity was not a formal religion but as a cult; the Romans and rest of Europe persecuted Christians so the artist disguised their work with symbols and hints of Christian aspects. Christianity was the first cult to not involve rituals of sacrifice of animals and refused to worship an Emperor causing the Roman Empire to make Christianity illegal. Byzantine art excelled in the Justinian period in the east during 520-540 AD. The art was produced in Ravenna, Byzantine, Venice, Sicily, Greece, and Russia. The

The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe originally were part of the Roman Empire, but by the middle Ages(medieval times), they were very different, even though they did share some common traits, but by the 300's, the Byzantine Empire had far surpassed Western Europe in trade and economics and political unity, while both empires were having arguments over religion.

The Holy site of the Church includes the Golgotha, or location of Jesus of Nazareth's crucifixion, the tomb in which he was buried, and Anastasis, the site of his resurrection. The responsibilities and care for the site are shared between the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syrian Orthodox orders. Conflicts between these denominations have led the Church to be damaged, destroyed, rebuilt, desecrated, and neglected for centuries. In addition, given the different periods of construction, varying influences including the Roman, Jewish, Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Crusader, Romantic, and Modern styles can be identified in the structure. Liberation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was a central motivation to the First Crusade (1096-1099). Presently the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Jerusalem, and consists of dedicated chapels as well as Holy relics, including the Stone of Anointing, Rock of Calvary, Angel's Stone, Stone of Unction, and the

Christianity experienced notable change during the Byzantine Era as a result of the fact that new ideas were introduced into the religion and because more and more cultural values from across the world started to pervade it. The religion was very different in Byzantium from how it was in the West principally because a series of Eastern ideas were adopted by Christian leaders. Christianity experienced a different development in the East when compared to the evolution that it experienced in the West. In the centuries lasting between the beginning of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire and the end of a small medieval state Christianity has practically been bombarded with Eastern ideas and with ideas that generally differed from the ones promoted in the West, eventually making it possible for "a distinct system of religious practice and devotion" (Krueger, 1) to emerge.

Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, a new empire rose up in the ashes. This new empire, the Byzantine Empire, was a culmination of Western Roman cultures and tradition, yet, it also contains many distinctive features. Originating from the same empire, the two empires display similar cultural roots.

Christianity and the Roman Empire shared an important bond. Christianity offered the Roman Empire joy, hope, a shift in their world view, and a monotheistic God. Rome offered Christianity a more efficient way of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Byzantine Empire, seen as a direct continuation of the Roman Empire, lasted approximately from 500-1450 CE. This empire proved to be a valuable city for both the Greeks as well as the Romans. Throughout history, the Aegean Sea, the Bosphorus Strait, and Constantinople all impacted Roman history through constant trade and achievements. Other than trade, perfecting the oil industry, and the construction of aqueducts, conduits, and tunnels was other main achievements.

In the article “Space”, Thomas Tweed tackles the true definition of religious space. Tweed rejects the idea that space is “a preexisting static container isolated from other spaces” or “a void to be filled” (118). Instead, Tweed describes sacred spaces as differentiated, kinetic, and interrelated.

When we look back at Christianity over the years, there are several people who are remembered for their impact on the religion. The first most important figure was Jesus Christ. However, if we travel forward a bit, into the 4th Century we come across Constantine. Historians agree that Constantine served as an important component in the spread of Christianity. Although he spread the religion in a massive way, others wonder if his methods were more harmful then anything. In this paper I will be discussing Constantine in his rise to power and his impact on Christianity. Constantine provided a mean for the word of God to be spread, which is a major benefit. However, He also used violence and hate as

Have you ever noticed that when people talk of Jews, at least in a protestant church, that the Israelite legalism, rituals, dress and hair standards are the first things to mind? The topic of Judaism may come with stereotypical opinions and “Christian Judgement” that are without merit or understanding. Judaism, by a Christian worldview, had to change after Pentecost, since the animal sacrifice to atone for sin Christ completed on the Cross. However, Judaism does not accept this truth of Christ and His work on the cross, but Judaism remains in the world. So, what was this change in Judaism and when did it take place? There have been numerous fluctuations within Judaism, only the theme constructed in this essay has its foundations around the most important facet of Judaism- the Temple. With the Temple in the forefront of this essay, we will discuss the modifications that Judaism went through, at what time, different perspectives that the destruction of the Temple had, and how the Christian sect views these vagaries. The Temple destruction of A.D. 70 converted the Jewish faith in its singular fashion, while, at the same point, the Jewish faith never had a total change by always changing throughout time.

Thomas Tweed in his article Space claims that there is a deeper connection between space and religion than meets the ordinary eye. The article examines how Christianity, Islam, and Judaism describe, imaginatively figure, and construct Jerusalem as a religious space. According to Tweed, space, in a religious context, is defined by three different and distinguishable characteristics: differentiated, kinetic, and interrelated. As revealed throughout many of the books in the Hebrew Bible, Jerusalem is one of these religious spaces that Tweed is talking about. Various Biblical texts, like Genesis 22, 2 Samuel 5-7, 1 Kings, and the Psalms reveal the city of Jerusalem, its geography, and its people’s history as being differentiated, kinetic, and interrelated.

There is irrefutable evidence that over the period of the Middle Ages, both Christianity and Islam have been anchors in both shaping and influencing governance of kingdoms and empires comprising Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and territories ruled by Islam. Religion during this period was widely used to set laws, influence culture, justify armed conflicts, and pronounce punishment on citizens domiciled within the geographies depicted within this essay. I will attempt to illuminate the geopolitical climate, territorial demarcation, and religious influences that depicted life circa 500 – 1517 CE. From the background material submitted, I will directly answer the following questions:

Most consider Justinian one of the most important late Roman and Byzantine emperors. Justinian’s reign was from 527 to 565 CE. Not a great deal is known about his life. He was adopted at a young age by his uncle and brought to Constantinople for his education’s sake. Justinian aimed to take Italy, Sicily, and Africa by initiated an enormous military enterprise. During his reign he ordered the rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia church (in 532 CE) along with an empire-wide construction drive, ending in new churches, monasteries, forts, water reservoirs, and bridges. Justinian had a legal expert in his court gather together numerous legal documents, commentaries, and laws of the Roman legal system into one book which would hold all laws. This

In this course, we have learned about three medieval worlds that existed in regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea: the Latin-Christian-ruled world, the Byzantine-ruled world, and the Muslim ruled world. Some historians argue that all of these worlds were really part of one larger Mediterranean Cultural world, while others argue that each world was actually very different. I stand on the side of separate but connected in this debate. The extent that these three worlds were similar politically was the constant power struggles, Culturally the connection through trade, and Religiously their prevalent worship of god. The extent were they different politically was their diplomatic/war relations, Culturally their language and arts, and Religiously how they practiced their religion.

There is irrefutable evidence that over the period of the Middle Ages, both Christianity and Islam have been anchors in both shaping and influencing governance of kingdoms and empires comprising Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and territories ruled by Islam. Religion during this period was widely used to set laws, influence culture, justify armed conflicts, and pronounce punishment on citizens domiciled within the geographies depicted within this essay. I will attempt to illuminate the geopolitical climate, territorial demarcation, and religious influences that depicted life circa 500 – 1517 CE. From the background material submitted, I will directly answer the following questions: