Chapter 2: The Christian Church in the First Millenium

Chapter Outline:

I. THE DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY

A. Though Jesus of Nazareth (Christ) was a Jew, he charged his disciples

to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
B. St. Paul (ca. 20-ca. 67 C.E.) and other apostles brought Christianity to
the Near East, Greece, and Italy.
C. By 313 Christianity was established in most cities of the Roman Empire,
despite persecution.
D. In 313, Emperor Constantine I (r. 310-37) issued the Edict of Milan,
legalizing Christianity.
E. In 392, Emperor Theodosius I (r. 374-95) made Christianity the official
religion of the Roman Empire and suppressed all others, except for
Judaism.
F. By 600, virtually the entire area once controlled by Rome was Christian
and organized by the principles of the empire (see HWM Figure 2.1).

1. Territories were called dioceses.

2. A hierarchy headed by patriarchs in Rome and other cities
included local churches, bishops, and archbishops.

II. THE JUDAIC HERITAGE

A. Some elements of Christian observances derive from Jewish traditions.

1. Chanting of Scripture
2. Singing of psalms (poems of praise from the Hebrew Book of
Psalms)

B. Sacrifice at the Second Temple of Jerusalem (destroyed by Romans in

70 C.E.)

1. Ritualistic sacrifice of an animal (usually a lamb) was an integral

part of worship services.
2. During the sacrifice, a choir of Levites (members of the priestly
class) sang psalms.
3. Trumpets and cymbals were also used.
4. Priests and sometimes worshipers ate some of the offering,
depending on the occasion.

C. Synagogues

1. Synagogues were centers for readings and homilies rather than

worship.
2. Scripture was chanted to a system of melodic formulas based on
phrase divisions of the text (cantillation).
3. Readings were assigned to particular days or festivals.

D. Christian parallels with Jewish practices