The Rise and Spread of Christianity
•Birth of Christianity
Christianity was born about 2000 years ago in Judea (presentday Israel) with Jesus Christ and His faithful group of disciples. His followers are known as Christians. Christianity is a monotheistic religion, i.e., belief in one god, centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Hebrews had been the first people to practice monotheism and established a religion called Judaism.
Both Christianity and Islam have their roots in Judaism. Originating in the eastern Mediterranean region, Christianity grew in size and influenced over a few decades and by the 4th century, it became the dominant religion within the Roman Empire.
Birth and Life of Jesus
Jesus, a Jew, was born in about the 4th century at Bethlehem in Judea (southern Israel). His birthday, Christmas, is celebrated the world over on 25th December. He grew up in Nazareth in Galilee (northern Israel). His mother, Mary, and father Joseph, although poor were descended from Israel’s most famous king – David.
In his early thirties, along with his selected disciples, Jesus travelled from village to village, preaching, teaching and healing the sick. Jesus led a very simple life. He spoke and preached to people through parables about the
• During the Christmas season, churches resound with melodious Christmas carols, i.e., songs telling us about the birth of Jesus as ‘Silent night,’ ‘Away in a manger’ ...etc.
JESUS’ OPPOSITION WITH JEWISH LEADERS AND HIS CRUCIFIXION
Jesus’ emphasis was on moral sincerity rather than on people following religious rituals coming down the ages. This was frowned upon by some of the Jewish scholars who feared that his teachings might lead to disregard for the authority of the Law. What angered them most was the opposition of Jesus to many of the old Jewish laws which had been framed according to the code of conduct laid down by their forefathers and spiritual leader, Moses.
Jesus’ emphasis was on moral sincerity rather than on people following religious rituals coming down the ages. This was frowned upon by some of the Jewish scholars who feared that his teachings might lead to disregard for the authority of the Law. What angered them most was the opposition of Jesus to many of the old Jewish laws which had been framed according to the code of conduct laid down by their forefathers and spiritual leader, Moses.
Crucify : To put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross.
It is written in the holy Bible that on the third day, i.e., Sunday, Jesus rose or was resurrected from the dead. This resurrection of Jesus is celebrated as Easter Sunday every year in March or April. Christians believe Jesus to be God because he rose from the dead. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared before his disciples and some others for forty days and then he ascended into heaven in the year 29 A.D. The Christian era begins with A.D. 1 which as per tradition is the year of Jesus’ birth.
• Death on a cross is known as crucifixion. This explains why the cross became a holy symbol for all Christians.
The Bible: and the main teachings of Jesus
The holy book of the Christians is the Bible. The Bible is divided into two parts :
• The Old Testament
• The New Testament
The Old Testament which consists of 39 books (like chapters) contains the religious beliefs of the Jews, the Ten Commandments which God gave to Moses along with other writings and prophesies of the birth of a Messiah or Saviour.
• The New Testament
The Old Testament which consists of 39 books (like chapters) contains the religious beliefs of the Jews, the Ten Commandments which God gave to Moses along with other writings and prophesies of the birth of a Messiah or Saviour.
The New Testament is about the life story and the teachings of the Messiah and Saviour, Jesus Christ and contains 27 books.
The Bible reveals much about the historical and cultural events of those times.
The Bible reveals much about the historical and cultural events of those times.
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS WERE SIMPLE BUT UNIQUE :
• Jesus preached that the best way to serve God was to help others, to love one another and to forgive those who have harmed you. He also preached about being humble and serving others.
• Jesus preached that the best way to serve God was to help others, to love one another and to forgive those who have harmed you. He also preached about being humble and serving others.
Jesus laid importance upon the infinite love of God. He promised forgiveness and eternal life in heaven to the most hardened of sinners provided they truly repented of their sins.
• The two most important commandments or teachings of Jesus were when he said, ‘Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second most important command ment was when Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbour as you would love yourself.’
• The two most important commandments or teachings of Jesus were when he said, ‘Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second most important command ment was when Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbour as you would love yourself.’
DECLINE OF THE ANCIENT ROMAN EMPIRE
Around 200 AD, the power of the Roman Empire declined. In 284 AD, Diocletian decided to spilt the vast Roman Empire. He ruled the Eastern half himself, while the Western half was ruled by his General Maximian. Within next 100 years waves of barbarians, swept across the Western Empire, leading to downfall of Roman Empire. The Romans fought the barbarians at the borders of the Roman Empire for many years. In some cases, barbarians became part of the Roman Empire. In other cases, they fought wars and, eventually, sacked the city of Rome bringing about the end of the Western Roman Empire.
Around 200 AD, the power of the Roman Empire declined. In 284 AD, Diocletian decided to spilt the vast Roman Empire. He ruled the Eastern half himself, while the Western half was ruled by his General Maximian. Within next 100 years waves of barbarians, swept across the Western Empire, leading to downfall of Roman Empire. The Romans fought the barbarians at the borders of the Roman Empire for many years. In some cases, barbarians became part of the Roman Empire. In other cases, they fought wars and, eventually, sacked the city of Rome bringing about the end of the Western Roman Empire.
WHO WERE THE BARBARIANS?
The Romans referred to people groups outside the Roman Empire as barbarians. The barbarians had different cultures than the Romans. They lived in small farming communities and were ferocious warriors. Goths, Vandals, Huns and Franks were the barbarians who constantly troubled the Romans.
The Romans referred to people groups outside the Roman Empire as barbarians. The barbarians had different cultures than the Romans. They lived in small farming communities and were ferocious warriors. Goths, Vandals, Huns and Franks were the barbarians who constantly troubled the Romans.
The Byzantine Empire was the successor of the Roman Empire in the East. While the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, the Byzantine Empire in the East lasted another 1,000 years
CONSTANTINE – THE GREAT AND THE BEGINNING OF BYZANTIUM
Constantine I (“the Great”) is usually held to be the founder of the Byzantine Empire. He was responsible for many changes that would help create a Byzantine culture distinct from the Roman past.
Constantine I (“the Great”) is usually held to be the founder of the Byzantine Empire. He was responsible for many changes that would help create a Byzantine culture distinct from the Roman past.
• He legalized Christianity, which had previously been persecuted in the Roman Empire.
• He himself converted to Christianity, and sponsored the Christian Church.
• Christianity became a major feature at the heart of Byzantine culture.
• He granted money to rebuild many churches.
• He moved the capital of the Roman Empire to the city of Byzantium (the origin of the word “Byzantine”), which he refounded as the city of Constantinople (it was also sometimes called “New Rome”). Constantine’s founding of Constantinople in 330 AD is usually considered the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. By moving the capital of the empire outside Italy and to the East, Constantine moved the centre of gravity in the empire to this region.
• He himself converted to Christianity, and sponsored the Christian Church.
• Christianity became a major feature at the heart of Byzantine culture.
• He granted money to rebuild many churches.
• He moved the capital of the Roman Empire to the city of Byzantium (the origin of the word “Byzantine”), which he refounded as the city of Constantinople (it was also sometimes called “New Rome”). Constantine’s founding of Constantinople in 330 AD is usually considered the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. By moving the capital of the empire outside Italy and to the East, Constantine moved the centre of gravity in the empire to this region.
EMERGENCE OF THE TURKS AND THE CRUSADES
By the end of the 11th century, two thirds of the ancient Christian world including Palestine had been conquered by the ‘Muslims’.
By the end of the 11th century, two thirds of the ancient Christian world including Palestine had been conquered by the ‘Muslims’.
The Turks Muslims threatened Christian visitors to the Holy Land and attacked the Christian Byzantine Empire. When the Turks defeated the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert, Christians everywhere felt their religion was in danger.
After the Turks’ victory, the Byzantine Emperor asked the Christians of western Europe for help. In 1095, Pope Urban II preached a sermon in France. He urged Christians from all over Europe to go on a crusade, or holy war, to drive the Muslims out of the Holy Land.
In the next three years European forces joined with Byzantine army captured Jerusalem and went on to set up Christian kingdoms in Palestine. But none of the seven later crusades matched this success. In the end, the Crusaders failed to win back the Holy Land but the Europeans learnt lot about Eastern art, culture, science, food, and medicine. Contacts and trade between Europe and Asia grew during the Crusades.
In the next three years European forces joined with Byzantine army captured Jerusalem and went on to set up Christian kingdoms in Palestine. But none of the seven later crusades matched this success. In the end, the Crusaders failed to win back the Holy Land but the Europeans learnt lot about Eastern art, culture, science, food, and medicine. Contacts and trade between Europe and Asia grew during the Crusades.
The Middle Ages, or Medieval Times, in Europe was a long period of history from 500 AD to 1500 AD.
* Christianity was born about 2000 years ago in Judea (present-day Israel) with Jesus Christ and His faithful group of disciples.
* Jesus was crucified in 1st century due to his popularity among masses.
* Jesus preached that the best way to serve God was to help others, to love one another and to forgive those who have harmed you. He also preached about being humble and serving others.
* Constantine I (“the Great”) is usually held to be the founder of the Byzantine Empire.
* By the end of the 11th century two thirds of the ancient Christian world including Palestine had been conquered by the ‘Muslims’.
* In 1095, Pope Urban II preached a sermon in France. He urged Christians from all over Europe to go on a crusade, or holy war, to drive the Muslims out of the Holy Land.
* In medieval Europe thousands of people devoted their lives to the Church, working, praying, and studying in monasteries.
* Christianity was born about 2000 years ago in Judea (present-day Israel) with Jesus Christ and His faithful group of disciples.
* Jesus was crucified in 1st century due to his popularity among masses.
* Jesus preached that the best way to serve God was to help others, to love one another and to forgive those who have harmed you. He also preached about being humble and serving others.
* Constantine I (“the Great”) is usually held to be the founder of the Byzantine Empire.
* By the end of the 11th century two thirds of the ancient Christian world including Palestine had been conquered by the ‘Muslims’.
* In 1095, Pope Urban II preached a sermon in France. He urged Christians from all over Europe to go on a crusade, or holy war, to drive the Muslims out of the Holy Land.
* In medieval Europe thousands of people devoted their lives to the Church, working, praying, and studying in monasteries.
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