RELIGIOUS STUDIES

The Early Christian Church

● Ethical and Moral Framework
● Legal and Political Influences
● Education and Scholarship
● Art and Architecture
● Literature and Languages
● Social Welfare and Charity
● Cultural Identity and Festivals
● The Rise of Monasticism
● Theological Development Spread of Christianity
● Relationship with Political Power

1. Ethical and Moral Framework - The teaching of Jesus Christ centered on love,
compassion and forgiveness laid the foundation for western ethical and moral values.
Concepts such as the "Golden Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you became fundamental principles in western society.
2. Legal and Political Influence - Many principles of modern western law and governance
have roots in Christian thought. Concepts like the equality of all individuals before God
and the idea of natural law influenced the development of legal systems and concepts of
human rights.
3. Education and Scholarship - Early Christian monasteries became centers of leaming
and scholarship, preserving ancient texts and contributing to the development of
universities and education systems in the west. Monks and scholars played a crucial role
in copying manuscripts and advancing knowledge in various fields.
4. Art and Architecture- The early Christian church greatly influenced Western art and
architecture From the construction of basilicas to the creation of religious artwork,
Christian themes and motifs became integral to Western artistic expression.
Iconography and religious symbolism became widespread in artistic representation.
5. Social Welfare and Charity - The early Christian church promoted care for the poor, sick,
and marginalized, leading to the establishment of institutions like hospitals and
orphanages Concepts charity and social justice became integral to Western societies
6. The Cultural Identity and Festivals - Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter
have become central to western cultural identity and the calendar. These celebrations
have influenced art, music, and traditions throughout history.
7. The Rise of Monasticism - The development of Monasticism introduced the idea of
intentional communal living dedicated to spiritual pursuits Monasteries and convents
played roles in education, healthcare and cultural preservation.
8. Theological Development - The debates and discussions within the early Christian
Church led to the formulation of essential Christian doctrines and creeds. These
foundational beliefs continue to shape modern Christian theology and practices
9. Spread of Christianity - The early Christian church's missionary efforts played a key role
in spreading Christianity across Europe and beyond. This expansion led to the
integration of Christian beliefs into diverse cultures and Societies
10. Relationship with Political Power - The alliance between Christianity and political power,
exemplified by Emperor Constantine's conversion, influenced the relationship between
church and state in Western history. This interaction continues to have implication for
political and religious dynamics.
● When- after the descend of the Holy Spirit
● Where- Rome
● Who- Peter, Petros or Kepha, both of which means Rock
● The great commission - Matthew 28: 16-20
● Prominence of Peter - John 21:15-19

ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY
Emperor Nero 54-68 AD proponent of the persecution of the Early Christian.
● Scapegoating of Christians - public anger
● Punishment and Torture - tortured and executed through entertainment like arenas etc..
 ● Persecution as a Political Move - exemplifying power, confiscations of property

● The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) Turkey - Constantine (unbaptized) presided the
discussion about the heresy, created in the Early Christian Church
● Arianism- by Arius of Alexandria affirming that (Christ is not divine).
● The council condemned Arius with reluctance on the part of some, incorporated the
nonscriptural word homoousios (of one substance)

● The II Council of Nicaea (787 AD) Turkey also known as the Seventh Ecumenical Council
aims to address the controversy surrounding the veneration of religious images, known
as the Iconoclastic Controversy/heretics - initiated in 726 when Byzantine Leo III issued a
decree against the worship12/18ns (religious images of Christ and the saints)
East - Orthodoxy
West- Roman Catholic Church

Schism

● Doctrinal and Theological Differences - matters about theology, liturgy, the role of the
Pope and issues related to the authority and power of the Church.
● Papal Authority - the Pope based in Rome claimed primacy and universal jurisdiction
over Catholic Church while Eastern Orthodoxy emphasized decentralized structure of
authority
● Cultural and Political Factors - geographical, cultural and political aspects contribute to
the gap to both Eastern and Western churches. The former, was centered in
Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul and had strong ties to Byzantine Empire while the
latter was centered in Rome and had closer connections to Western Europe.
● Language and Liturgical Practices western used Latin as its primary language and had
distinct liturgical customs while Eastern used Greek and had its own liturgical traditions.
● Patriarchal Disputes - the authority in the West is the Patriarchates of Rome while
Patriarchates of Constantinople in the East.
Onwards the Early Christian church's contributes to art, philosophy and literature and
Christianity became the official religion of Roman Empire and became the lasting impact on
European Culture.
● Early persecution and growth
● Conversion of Constantine
● Council of Nicaea
FUNCTIONS
POPE
● head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome.
● Head of the sovereign City - State, Vatican City
Duties
● Deciding the Church' s position on issues.
● Calling ecumenical councils
● Appointing bishop (Roman curia)
Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts | Britannica
What does a Pope Head of the Holy See, the Roman Catholic Church' s central government.
Making decisions on issues of faith and morality for Catholics throughout the world.

Vatican II (1962-65) on the role of bishops counterbalanced the emphasis on papal prerogatives
(special right/power) while maintaining the view that the authority of the bishops as a body
cannot be separated from that of the pope as its head.

What does Pope Francis do in modern times?

● Promote interfaith dialogue of the Roman Catholic Church.
● Advocating human rights and spoken various forms of discrimination and violence.
● Reforming Vatican' s financial system.
● Curbing corruption within the church
Cardinals

● Also known as Sacred College of Cardinals whose duties includes electing the pope,
acting as his principal counselors and aiding in the government of the Roman Catholic
Church throughout the world.
● Personally selected by the Pope.
● Serves as chief officials of the Roman Curia
● Bishops of major dioceses
● Papal representatives
● Selecting a new Pope in a conclave (private meeting or sacred assembly), almost from
among themselves.
Archbishops
● Governs his own archdiocese, supervises all the other bishops in his archiepiscopal
province. (CABUS TAM)
● Oversight
● Selection of clergy
● Ordination of priests and clergy who have completed seminary
● Sacrament
● Discipline
● Church doctrine
Bishops
● Participate in the exercise of the Magisterium (authority), the teaching authority of the
church.
● Head of the local church, or diocese, as part of his threefold office of teaching,
sanctifying, and governing.
● Governance of the diocese.
● Train & supply priests, finances of the diocese & all church property.
● Make church laws, be a judge in church matters and enforce observance of these laws.
● Preach the word of God.
● Meet the needs of the local community (material, social, personal and spiritual) as well
as ensuring that church laws are observed.
● Acquire lands for churches burials Set & judge cannon law (ecclesiastical law/aws laid
down by papal pronouncement).
● Coordinate with secular authorities.
Deacons
● Serving the church and its members in practical ways.
● Passing the sacrament
● Watching over the church
● Warning, expounding, exhorting and teaching and inviting all to come unto Christ.
● Assisting the bishops with temporal things.
● Fellowship quorum members and other young men Ushering, tending to benevolence or
counting tithes. and offering.
Laity/Lays
● Find their holiness in their ordinary married and family life, in their work and social life..
● Give a witness to Christ to the world.
● Active in caring for creation and promoting justice and peace and the common good.
● Make the church present and active in the world where they become the salt and light in
the midst of society.
● Continually draw strength from the Eucharist and the Sacraments
● Share in Christ's office of priest, prophet and king.
● Do the work of Christ' s body in the world.
● Transform every aspect of the culture through the Gospel. Participate in the apostolate
by their Christian vocation.