The Church and the State in the Byzantine Empire: The Holy and the Profane within Society
Journal
IUS ROMANUM
Date Issued
2018-02
Author(s)
Vasilevska, Ivanka
Abstract
The historical and structural relationship between the Church and the
Byzantine Empire form an important tradition. However, this topic is equally traditional, as it is current, especially in Europe. It addresses a particularly complex
problem which contains in itself the elements of the relation between the Church
and the Byzantine Empire. Specifically, we analyze the historical, cultural, legal,
political and ideological aspects of these elements. In the present state of our
knowledge, the byzantine life is seen as marked by constant change, although at
the same time there was loyal adherence to certain traditions governing the outlook of both Church and Empire. As regards the Byzantine Empire, a specific
relationship between Church and State is characteristic, so apart from the ruler
who was chosen by the Lord himself, the role of the religious head was limited to
the spiritual functions i.e. to the preservation of the purity of faith within the
Church. Despite of this character of the relationships, the Emperor also occupied
a special place in the church service. This mode of action of the Byzantine Emperor would later become known under the term of caesaropapism. It encompassed in itself the entire Orthodox ecumene which obediently received it.
Byzantine Empire form an important tradition. However, this topic is equally traditional, as it is current, especially in Europe. It addresses a particularly complex
problem which contains in itself the elements of the relation between the Church
and the Byzantine Empire. Specifically, we analyze the historical, cultural, legal,
political and ideological aspects of these elements. In the present state of our
knowledge, the byzantine life is seen as marked by constant change, although at
the same time there was loyal adherence to certain traditions governing the outlook of both Church and Empire. As regards the Byzantine Empire, a specific
relationship between Church and State is characteristic, so apart from the ruler
who was chosen by the Lord himself, the role of the religious head was limited to
the spiritual functions i.e. to the preservation of the purity of faith within the
Church. Despite of this character of the relationships, the Emperor also occupied
a special place in the church service. This mode of action of the Byzantine Emperor would later become known under the term of caesaropapism. It encompassed in itself the entire Orthodox ecumene which obediently received it.
Subjects
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