Factors that Helped the Spread of Christianity Areas

Factors that Helped the Spread of Christianity • Areas controlled by the Romans were peaceful • Well constructed roads made traveling easier • The common language made it easier for people from different parts of the empire to communicate • People liked the hopeful message of Christianity, and Christianity provided them comfort with God’s love and the promise of heaven/a better afterlife • The members of Christian communities helped each other out

Why did the Romans treat Christians so badly? • They thought Christians were dangerous • They thought Christians were a threat to the empire • Christians did not practice Roman religion and criticized some Roman religious practice • Christians did not support warfare and would not serve in the Roman army

#7 • False • Nero blamed the Christians for the fire

#8 • False • Diocletian persecuted the Christians

#9 • False • Constantine supported Christianity

#10 • True

#11 • False • Constantine built churches in Rome and Jerusalem • But Theodosius did ban Greek and Roman religions and make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

#13 • Patriarchs – the leading archbishops in major cities (Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem)

#14 • Archbishop – in charge of entire region

#15 • Bishops – explain Christian belief, supervise several churches

#16 • Priests – lead worship services, manage local church activities

List the main writings that make up the Old and New Testament • Old Testament – Jewish sacred writings (the Torah/the Hebrew Bible) • New Testament – 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), writings of Paul, and the writings of other early Christian leaders

What was the major difference between Roman Catholic Christians and Eastern Orthodox Christians? • The Bishop of Rome claims power over all the other bishops – becomes the Pope • Claims he had received authority from the apostle Peter, plus his diocese was in Rome (the capital of the Roman Empire) • Roman Catholics accept the authority of the Pope, while Eastern Orthodox Christians do not.