Religious Stuff that caused a problem!

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Icons Iconoclasts

• Religious Stuff that caused a problem!

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(No Transcript)
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What is an Icon?

• They appear in several forms in mural painting,
  mosaic and most typically painted on small wooded
  panels.
• Icons - sacred religious images representing
  saints, Christ, and the Virgin Mary, as well as
  narrative scenes such as Christ's Crucifixion.
• While today the term is most closely associated
  with wooden panel painting, in Byzantium icons
  could be crafted in all media, including marble,
  ivory, gemstone, precious metal, enamel, and
  mosaic.

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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
• Iconoclasts those who opposed the use of icons
  and saw the practice as idolatry.
• Those in favor thought they helped the faithful
  honor the figures represented.

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A Rift Develops

• In 730 Emperor Leo III passionately joined the
  ranks of iconoclasts he banned icons and ordered
  all religious images be burned, whitewashed or
  destroyed.
• Pope Gregory III, favored icons and
  excommunicated Emperor Leo

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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.

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The West - Roman Catholic Church

• Mass was in Latin
• Pope was Supreme head of Church in the West -
  above any political ruler
• All clergy were celibate
• Religious icons of martyrs and saints to be
  respected
• Only Pope and Bishops could interpret the
  scriptures.

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• The East said the Bible was the final Authority
  on all issues of Faith
• West said it was the Popes interpretation of
  the Bible that was the final Authority

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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
• Emperor was superior to Patriarch of
  Constantinople.
• Bishops couldnt marry
• Other priest didnt have to be celibate
• Icons caused much controversy - used but
  disapproved of.

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Character of East

• Cosmopolitan - influenced by diverse ideas as
  eastern mysticism, Greek and Roman secular and
  pagan culture, and Monophysitism (doctine that
  holds Christs 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.