In this Grade 4 lesson from Discovering Our Past: a History of the World, students explore how Christianity split into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, examining the key disputes over papal authority and the use of icons. Students learn the meaning of terms like iconoclast and understand how Byzantine emperors controlled the Eastern Orthodox Church by appointing leaders and defining worship practices. The lesson helps students analyze how religious and political disagreements shaped Christian Europe following the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
Section 1
Churches Split Over Icons and Authority
The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches divided over the use of religious images and leadership. In A.D. 1054, the churches officially separated when the patriarch and pope excommunicated each other.
Section 2
Monasteries Preserve Knowledge and Serve Communities
Monks and nuns lived in religious communities following either the Basilian or Benedictine Rule. They helped the poor, ran schools and hospitals, preserved ancient writings, and sent missionaries to convert others.
Section 3
Missionaries Spread Christianity Across Europe
Christian missionaries like Patrick and Cyril shared their faith with new peoples. Cyril even created the Cyrillic alphabet to teach Christianity to Slavic speakers in their own language.
Section 4
Emperors Control Church in Byzantine Empire
Byzantine emperors appointed church leaders, defined worship practices, controlled church wealth, and settled religious disputes. They took oaths to defend Christianity and were crowned in religious ceremonies.
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Section 1
Churches Split Over Icons and Authority
The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches divided over the use of religious images and leadership. In A.D. 1054, the churches officially separated when the patriarch and pope excommunicated each other.
Section 2
Monasteries Preserve Knowledge and Serve Communities
Monks and nuns lived in religious communities following either the Basilian or Benedictine Rule. They helped the poor, ran schools and hospitals, preserved ancient writings, and sent missionaries to convert others.
Section 3
Missionaries Spread Christianity Across Europe
Christian missionaries like Patrick and Cyril shared their faith with new peoples. Cyril even created the Cyrillic alphabet to teach Christianity to Slavic speakers in their own language.
Section 4
Emperors Control Church in Byzantine Empire
Byzantine emperors appointed church leaders, defined worship practices, controlled church wealth, and settled religious disputes. They took oaths to defend Christianity and were crowned in religious ceremonies.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter