1. The Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Europe
History Alive pg 29-39

2. The Christian Church Takes Shape
Constantine issues a decree allowing Christians to practice their religion freely
Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire
Church played a vital role in society
Monasteries provided hospitality to refugees and travelers

3. Christianity is founded on three principles
Jesus is the son of God
God sent Jesus to earth to save people from their sin
Jesus rose from the dead after his death by crucifixion

4. The Hierarchy
Developed a system that modeled after the old Roman government

5. Church acquires Economic Power
Prohibited kings from appointing priests
Outlawed the selling of Church positions
Collected a tax, or tithe
Each person expected to give one-tenth (1/10)
Latin allowed church officials to keep records for monarchs and became trusted scribes and advisors

6. Pope Gregory vs. Henry IV
Pope Gregory elected in 1073
Responsible for all the power plays
Gave only himself to right to appoint people of power
Henry IV was angered by the Pope’s choices
Pope “excommunicated” or kicked him out of the church
Could no longer be saved
Henry caves and begged for forgiveness

7. Sacraments and Salvation
Catholics viewed hell as real and terrifying place that is waiting if you fail to attain salvation
There are 7 sacraments (sacred rights of christians) that help one achieve salvation
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders, Penance, Extreme Unction

8. Pilgrimages Life revolves around the local church
Markets, festivals and religious ceremonies all take place here
Encourages some people to go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Rome, Compostela and Canterbury
People wanted to show their devotion to God
Chaucer wrote poems about the pilgrims called the Canterbury Tales
Stories told to entertain fellow travelers

9. Crusades Series of military expeditions to the Holy Land
People went to recover Jerusalem from the Muslims
Also went to seek wealth and adventure

10. Let’s see how much you remember!
REVIEW
Let’s see how much you remember!
____________ issued a decree that made Christianity the official religion of Europe
_______ are second in the Catholic Church hierarchy.
List one way the church acquired economic power
Why were church officials allowed to keep records?

11. Let’s see how much you remember!
REVIEW
Let’s see how much you remember!
The king was _________________ from the church and had to beg to get allowed back in
There are_____ sacraments. The second one is _____________.
People went on crusades for__________ and___________.
Art was meant to show scenes from the ____________ because the common person could not __________.

12. Check Your Answers
_Constantine issued a decree that made Christianity the official religion of Europe
_Cardinals are second in the Catholic Church hierarchy.
List one way the church acquired economic power- appoint priests, no selling church positions, collect tax
Why were church officials allowed to keep records?- Can read and write in Latin

13. Check Your Answers
The king was excommunicated from the church and had to beg to get allowed back in
There are 7 sacraments. The second one is Confirmation.
People went on crusades for wealth and adventure.
Art was meant to show scenes from the Bible because the common person could not read.