2.  By the end of the fourth
century, Christianity had
become supreme and as
the Roman empire fell
apart, the Church would
play an increasing roll in
the new emerging
European civilization.
 Local Christian
communities were called
parishes. Each parish
was led by priests and a
group of parishes was
headed by a bishop.

3.  In many towns, faith was shown in another
way, as people built magnificent cathedrals,
monuments to glorify God.
 In the early 1100s, these huge churches used
a new style of architecture called Gothic.
 This style of architecture is perhaps one of
the greatest achievements during the Middle
Ages.
 These buildings were tall, reaching toward
heaven. They had walls covered with large
windows of colorful stained glass, which let
in beautiful light.
 They featured pointed archways and many
sculptures.

5.  Gargoyles were usually
carved sculptures on a
Gothic cathedral.
 Some had the specific
function to direct rainwater
off the building while others
were grotesque creatures
with the purpose of warding
off evil spirits.

6.  Eventually, the bishop of Rome
began to proclaim he was the
leader of all the parishes and
the Roman Catholic Church.
 According to Catholics, Jesus
gave the keys to the kingdom of
Heaven over to Peter, the first
apostle and also considered the
first bishop of Rome.
 Later, the bishops were seen as
Peter’s successor.
 They came to be known as
Popes. (from the Latin word
Papa or “father”.)

7.  Pope Gregory I strengthened the papacy
in and the Roman Catholic Church
around the beginning of the 5th century.
 Under Pope Gregory, the Church
becomes a secular (holds political power
and influence)
 Popes organize the Christian faith much
like a kingdom - Christendom
 The Church even starts to collect taxes
(tithes) from all believers.
 Thesetaxes went to care for the sick and help
the poor but also was used to raise armies.

8.  During this time, the church also made it’s own
body of laws known as canon law – or church law.
 Canon law oversaw many aspects of life including
wills, marriage and morals.
 If you disobeyed canon law, you would face a wide
range of penalties or punishments, the worst and
most terrifying being excommunication.
 Church officials had the power to excommunicate
which meant you were condemned to hell for
eternity.

9.  The Church and the Pope
became so powerful during
this time, it was said that he
was the utmost authority in
Europe, stronger than the
most powerful kings.
 Why do you think the pope
held such great power over
kings?

13.  Also under Pope Gregory I, the
church is able to convert many
non-Christians through the
monastic movement.
 Monks are men who separate
themselves from ordinary human
society to pursue a life of total
dedication to God.
 The practice of living as a monk is
known as monasticism.
 St. Benedict founded a community
and wrote a set of rules. These
rules are the basis for monasticism
in the Roman Catholic Church.

14.  Monks would become the new heroes of Christianity
and important force in European civilization.
 Monasteries were seen as ideal Christian societies.
 They would provide a moral example to live by for
which society could model themselves after.

15.  Monks are famously known for
being brewers of beer.
 While beer was invented long
before the monks, they were
the first to truly brew it in
mass and commercialize it.
 The Benedictine monastery of
Weihenstephan Abbey in
Germany is the oldest brewery
in the world, founded in 1040
AD and still brewing today!

16.  Monks were the social workers
of their communities, provided
schools for the young,
hospitality for travelers and
hospitals for the sick.
 They also taught carpentry and
weaving to peasants and also
made improvements in
agriculture that would be passed
on.
 Monasteries became centers of
learning wherever they were
located.

17.  English and Irish monks were
especially enthusiastic
missionaries - people sent to
carry out a religious message –
who undertook the conversion
of non-Christians.
 By 1050, most of Europe was
Catholic.

18.  The knot shaped pretzels
that we enjoy today were
actually creations of
Medieval Monks. The
monks would give them as a
reward to children for
remembering their prayers.
(the word pretiola in Latin
means “small reward”.)
The shape represents the
folded arms of the children
during prayer.

19.  Also during this time, new
church groups arose such as the
Franciscan and Dominican
orders.
 Much like monks, men known as
Friars vowed poverty and
devoted their lives to travel and
spreading the message of God.
 Many were very well educated
and became scholars.
 Women also joined the spiritual
revival by joining convents and
becoming nuns.