The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in medieval times was very important. In fact the village life revolved around it. The Catholic Church was also used as a meeting place, school, and hospital. The church was considered the most important place in the village because their everyday life passed through it. The people who run the church are very special people and high in power. The Church would not have been in such good of shape without these people. The people are all very religious and busy people, people such as the pope, monks, and bishops. -Kobe
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/1/27619243/399837104.jpg)
The Pope
The pope of was the most important and powerful person in Medieval Rome. The pope had full legal, executive, and judicial powers. The pope was believed to be the highest priest and he lived in Vatican City which is in the heart of Rome. It is also the capital of the Catholic Church. Vatican City is a very holy place that is about 109 acres in perimeter which is very small. In fact, you can walk the perimeter of the city in 40 minutes. How did Vatican City become Vatican City? Vatican City was given to the Romans after Italy conquered Rome, the emperor hid from the king not wanting to surrender. The emperor hid for so long; there had already been six new popes. Finally, after sixty long years the two sides made a compromise. The King gave the new city (Vatican) to the pope and a lot of apology money, in return the pope acknowledges that Italy exists and vows to be neutral in war and politics. Did you know that only residents can drive in Vatican City and they issue their own licenses plates?
The Catholic Church was very important in Medieval Rome. It served much more than just a church though; it was also a hotel, school and meeting place. The church was seen as a very sacred place, and the pope really stressed that. What he really stressed was its glory and riches; one way he did this was by building these cathedrals and numerous monasteries and churches. These cathedral’s main purpose was to create a sense of awe and feel as if you were walking into heaven. You could imagine that these cathedrals could cost a lot of money. The main source of their money was from tithe barns which the church collected from the farmers. The church took one tenth of their produce; people were too scared not to do this because if they did not donate to the barn they would go to hell. The other ways the church would get money was through ceremonies.
The system of power in Medieval Rome was sort of confusing. For example the king and pope’s job was held by the same person but the two were different. The king had his job and the pope had his. Whoever had these titles had complete power. The king was the head of the military and the pope was the head priest and head of all things in the church. A famous example of how much power a pope had come from Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV. Did you know that the pope made emperors kiss his feet? The King like anyone else was fed up with it. So KIng Henry set out to have Pope Gregory removed. When the pope found out about this he too set out to remove him, but not only that, he wanted to make a punishment last a life time. So the consequence ended up being that King Henry was excommunicated. This meant that he was banned from the church and when he died he was banned from heaven. Henry and his wife were terrified and asked for an apology, they knocked on the door for three straight days in the snow before the pope let him in. The pope finally forgave him but in the end Pope Gregory really won.
How was the pope elected? Most of the popes serve until they die, and when they do the College of Cardinals have a meeting in the conclave. These meeting are held in the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals meet about two weeks after the pope dies in Rome then they pick a successor amongst themselves in a private ballot. To have a chance to be elected you must be a cardinal below the age of 80 when the pope dies. But it is not open to everyone, only 120 cardinals. In the Conclave there are some strict rules such as: taking an oath of full secrecy, not allowed to contact anyone from the outside world, the chapel does not permit devices in the conclave, and votes by the committee is not allowed. They start by passing out ballot cards, and then the cardinals put who they want to select as pope, walk to the altar and submit their vote. The cardinal counts and tallies the votes then burns them after he is done. To win you must get two thirds of the cardinals to vote for you; or you start over. They announce the result to the public by the smoke from the chimney. White indicates a pope was elected and black indicates that no one was selected.
-Kobe
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/1/27619243/558105511.jpg)
Roles of The Church
The role of the local churches and priests were to provide religious leadership as well as secular. It also played a role in providing a key role in learning. At the head of the church was the pope, which followers believed to be the representative of Jesus on earth. Below the pope, were the cardinals and bishops. The Bishop is ordained to be the guardian of the faith of apostles. Next came the peasants which were tied to the local priest or bishop. The main role of the church was to serve the spiritual needs in a medieval society. The medieval catholic church taught that every man and woman were sinners and someday would have salvation.
-Armando
-Revision by Kobe
The role of the local churches and priests were to provide religious leadership as well as secular. It also played a role in providing a key role in learning. At the head of the church was the pope, which followers believed to be the representative of Jesus on earth. Below the pope, were the cardinals and bishops. The Bishop is ordained to be the guardian of the faith of apostles. Next came the peasants which were tied to the local priest or bishop. The main role of the church was to serve the spiritual needs in a medieval society. The medieval catholic church taught that every man and woman were sinners and someday would have salvation.
-Armando
-Revision by Kobe
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/1/27619243/724972452.gif)
The Spread of Christianity
The spread of Christianity really started to spread in the 5th century A.D. It spread all over Europe. As Christianity was spreading across Europe so was King Charlemagne kingdom.
During this time period; there was really two main emperors. One of them was Saint Patrick. St. Patrick had a very rough life until he became emperor. He got kidnapped when he was only 16 years old. He died 12 times in his whole life. When he died the last time on March 17, 461 A.D. That is why still to this day we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
The other emperor in the time era when christianity was spreading was Charlemagne or Charles the Great. Charlemagne was the king of the Franks. People used to say he was one of the most illuminating kings that ever lived. When his father, Pepin the Short, died in 1760 A.D. Charlemagne and his brother, Carloman, ruled the land for three years. Him and his brother built schools for all years of age. Most of the people in 5th century didn’t know how to read or write, but Charlemagne made a big effort to be able to read and write.
The spread of Christianity really started to spread in the 5th century A.D. It spread all over Europe. As Christianity was spreading across Europe so was King Charlemagne kingdom.
During this time period; there was really two main emperors. One of them was Saint Patrick. St. Patrick had a very rough life until he became emperor. He got kidnapped when he was only 16 years old. He died 12 times in his whole life. When he died the last time on March 17, 461 A.D. That is why still to this day we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
The other emperor in the time era when christianity was spreading was Charlemagne or Charles the Great. Charlemagne was the king of the Franks. People used to say he was one of the most illuminating kings that ever lived. When his father, Pepin the Short, died in 1760 A.D. Charlemagne and his brother, Carloman, ruled the land for three years. Him and his brother built schools for all years of age. Most of the people in 5th century didn’t know how to read or write, but Charlemagne made a big effort to be able to read and write.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/1/27619243/924962813.jpg)
Monks
A monk is a religious man who lived who lived isolated apart from society. The daily life of a monk in three middle ages were based on three vows. The vow of proverty, chasitity and of obedience. They would renounce from all worldly life and spend their life in a medieval monastery. Monks were dedicated to worship, reading, and manual labor.
Monks would spend several hour reading the bible in the church. They also would have their daily chores. Some included washing, cooking for the monastery, raising vegetables and grain, and producing honey, ale and wine. Also swing, reaping, binding, thatching, ploughing, haymaking and threshing. There were other duties like providing medical care for the community and education for boys and novices
Monks in the middle ages had many different jobs. Abbotts were the head of the Abbey. There are also people in the middle ages called Nuns. Like Monks, Nuns daily life was based around services in the chapel. They entered the convent or nunnery. Nuns had dedicated and devoted their lives to God. They would have around six services a day in the chapel.
The book of hours was the Monks main prayer book. It was divided into eight sections. The average Monk’s daily schedule included waking up at 2:30 AM, and going to sleep at 6:30 PM. Monks have around six prayers a day. They performed many services inside and outside of the monastary.
In conclusion, the church is a very sacred place that is used for many purposes. Without the help of the church members the church itself would not be in the shape it still is today. The church members are very hard working people who are in charge of many things. These members are also very high in power. I think the beauty of the church is reflected on its members. -Kobe