How Christianity Spread Flashcards
What is a missionary?
A person sent to another country in order to encourage Christianity.
What is a pagan?
A person who worships many gods or no gods.
Explain the story of Saint Alban.
Alban was a British soldier in the Roman army and was about to go to bed when he heard talking outside his villa. He went out and saw one of his slaves talking to an elderly man. The man told him that he was a Christian priest who had fled from the town because he would not offer incense to the Emperor. Alban let him stay there for the night aand then spoke to him in the morning. In the morning, the priest told Alban about Jesus and then over the next few days of talking Alban came to believe in Jesus. Then suddenly a soldier arrived so Alban dressed up in the priests clothes to keep the priest safe and Alban was arrested. He was then taken before the governor who asked for incense for the emperor to prove that Alban was still loyal to the Roman beliefs but Alban said that he believes in the true and living God. Then alban get tortured and killed on a hill where many witnesses of his death converted to Christianity.
What is a martyr?
Someone who is dies for their religion or their beliefs.
Explain the story of Saint Augustine.
In 596CE Pope Gregory sent 40 Benedictine monks from Rome to preach to the English. By the time the group reached France, they had heard so many things about the English and how they were fierce. They wanted to go home but the Pope told them that they would have a greater reward in heaven because of this difficult task that they had been asked to do. Pope Gregory also managed to convince some French priests to join the monks from Rome and the whole group arrived in England in 597CE. When they arrived they were welcomed by the English king, Ethelbert, who’s wife was already a Christian. Soon Ethelbert was baptised and Augustine was made the Archbishop of the English and his see was in Canterbury.
What was the Great Schism of 1054?
The Great Schism was when the Church was split into two parts:
the Catholic Church
the Orthodox Church
The leaders of each Church had been arguing for a long time until the whole Orthodox church was excommunicated by the Catholic church but the Orthodox church denied that the Catholic church could do that as the Orthodox church was independent of the Catholic church. It has remained this way ever since.
What were two reasons why the Church split in two?
- The Orthodox Church didn’t like that the Pope could determine the belief that the Christians should hold but the Catholic Church believed that the Pope was the successor of St Peter so his authority couldn’t be questioned.
- The Catholic church believed that the Holy Spirit came from God the Son and God the Father as stated in the Nicene Creed but the Orthodox church believed that Son and the Holy Spirit came from God the Father.
What were the 4 main reasons for the reformation?
- Indulgences were a piece of paper that you could pay for to get you or a loved one out of purgatory quicker and free you from your sins. Luther thought this was very corrupt as the more money you spent the quicker your soul would be released from purgatory.
- People were told to buy relics for example material said to be from the shroud of Jesus or bits of bone said to be frim the skeletons of saints as it was said to bring you closer to God. Luther did not like this as it was for the Church to make money as many of the relics were fake.
- Luther thought that many of the priests were corrupt and were more interested in money and land than teaching about God. Luther thought all you needed to worship was a Biblr and your faith.
- Henry VIII supported the pope against Luther but when Henry was denied a divorce from Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn he found himself disagreeing with the Roman Catholic Church and he made his own church, the Church of England of which he had placed himself in charge.
What is the Roman Catholic Church?
It is lead by the Pope.
They follow the Catholic teachings which are built on the teachings of the twelve apostles.
The Bible is considered as the Word of God and is inspired by God.
They confess sin and ask fo forgiveness.
This is the oldest denomination dating back 2,000 years.
This is the largest denomination in Christian religion.
What is the Orthodox Church?
It is lead by Patriach of Constantinople - who doesnt’ really have any real authority over churches other than his own.
It is mainly practised in Eastern Europe.
The word ‘Orthodox’ means ‘right way’.
It is made up of a number of self-governing churches.
Icons (elaborate paintings) are of great importance and are used in worship and at home.
What is the Church of England?
It is lead by the King and the Archbishop of Cantebury.
It is a modern church, it allows women to be priests, divorce and re-marriage
Authority comes from the Bible alon because it is the Word of God.
The word ‘protestant’ comes from the word ‘protest’ as many Catholics rebelled.
The state church is known as the anglican church.
The archbishop of canterbury is Justin Welby.
What are the Quakers?
They have no leader.
The Bible is not the actual ‘Word of God’ but it is a inspirational book.
They do not believe in any form of fighting.
They don’t celebrate festivals like Easter and Christmas as they believe everyday is special.
They were founded by George Fox around 1650.
Their proper name is the Religious Society of Friends.
What is the Baptist Church?
They have no leader.
There is no hierarchy of priests, bishops and the Pope.
The fifth largest Christian Church in the world.
Each church governs itself - they reject the idea of a state church.
The Bible is the only source of authority.
They only baptise older children and adults.
What is a Cathedral?
A cathedral is the main church in a diocese. It is the Bishops cathedral. It contains the bishop’s seat which is a large chair often beautifully carved in wood where the bishop sits when he conducts a service. Cathedrals are often magnificent. They are usually used to hold special services such as royal weddings or funerals. They also hold services each Sunday.
What is an atlar?
A table which holds items for Holy Communion.
The most important part of the church.
