2. How did Constantine establish Christianity in Europe?
Answers
Explanation:
Starting with the first followers of Jesus Christ, Christianity spread out into the Middle East and along the Mediterranean Sea to other parts of the Roman Empire. Although believers faced periodic Roman persecutions, the religion would grow, with some scholars suggesting that its idea about the resurrection of the dead and immortality of the spirit were appealing theological ideas, while others believe that the practical efforts of the church to help the poor was important in its increasing popularity.
Armenia
Armenia became the first country to establish Christianity as its state religion when, in the year 301, St. Gregory the Illuminator convinced Tiridates III, the king of Armenia, to convert to Christianity.
Constantin 1
By the beginning of the fourth century official persecution of Christianity had ended in the Roman Empire, and support for the religion grew even among elites. It was under the reign of Constantine I (306-337) where Christianity became an official religion of the empire. Constantine himself had been introduced to the religion by his mother Helena, and according to Christian sources, he himself witnessed a miraculous cross in the sky before a battle. While Constantine himself did not become a Christian until he was on his deathbed, he supported the Church financially and oversaw its administration, even judging which religious beliefs were to be followed.
Arianism
The fourth-century also saw the rise of a new branch of Christianity, known as Arianism. Based on the teachings of a scholar named Arius, it advocated the position that Jesus Christ was created by God and not completely equal to him. While the mainstream Christian churches considered Arianism a heresy, it did find many followers, including a couple of Roman emperors. More importantly, some Germanic tribes accepted the Arian version of Christianity, including the Ostrogoths, who took over parts of Italy, the Visigoths, who seized control of the Iberian Peninsula, and the Vandals, who moved all the way into North Africa and ruled what is now Tunisia. The Vandal persecution of other Christians was one of the reasons why the Byzantine Empire conquered their territories in the years 533-34.
Rise of the Papacy
Even in the early centuries of Christianity, the Bishop of Rome made claims to be the head of the church, although it is unclear how much other parts of the Christian world accepted this claim or what it meant it practically. The Roman bishops, who were known as Popes, at times had considerable influence, but during parts of the Early Middle Ages the Popes were overseen and controlled by the Byzantine Empire. However, the Popes were also prominent in sending out missions to convert other parts of Western Europe. Gradually the Roman church broke off from their co-religionists in the Eastern Mediterranean – the main churches would be known as Roman Catholic and Orthodox.
Answer:
is possible (but not certain) that Constantine's mother, Helena, exposed him to Christianity. In any case, he only declared himself a Christian after issuing the Edict of Milan. Writing to Christians, Constantine made clear that he believed that he owed his successes to the protection of the High God alone.