The Rise of Official Christianity: Church and State in the Roman Empire

Christianity Becomes the Official State Religion (380 AD)

In the year 380, Emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessaloniki, making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Church became protected by law and the Emperor. From that moment, the Church became highly influential in social life and politics.

The New Status of the Church and Societal Impact

Protected by the emperors with economic and legal aid, Christianity became deeply integrated into the structures of society:

• The calendar was Christianized: Sunday became the official day off, and important Christian holidays were celebrated.
• Laws contrary to Christian morality were amended: The banning of gladiator fights and infanticide; the death sentence by crucifixion was abolished; the status of slaves was liberalized; and family life was favored.

The Church began to utilize public buildings; basilicas were constructed, palaces were donated to bishops, and the Church received protection and state funding.

This privileged position brought new challenges. While civil and political power protected the Church and elevated its status as a social religion, this also created the great danger of pollution by political power, a lack of freedom, and the possible abandonment of the evangelical ideals.

Defending the Faith: Heresies and Councils

Heresies are erroneous interpretations of Christian doctrine. The greatest danger posed by heresies was that they divided and confused the Christian community, similar to persecutions.

To address these issues, Councils were convened. The most important was the Council of Constantinople, which finalized the formulation of the Nicene Creed.

The Formation of Christian Doctrine

The Church recognized the need to:

• Define the dogmas of faith.
• Maintain a consistent teaching authority.

Patristic Theology and Independence from Civil Powers

In the early centuries, the Church recognized believers who, due to their holiness of life, intellectual prestige, and the uprightness of their doctrine, have been considered Fathers of the Church. Most of them were bishops. Over the first five centuries, they contributed their thoughts on the Christian faith. This theological reflection, which developed in both the East and the West, is known as Patristic Theology.

In their writings, the Church Fathers strongly criticized the interference of civil powers in the running of the Church and defended its independence from the Emperor. Furthermore, their teachings demonstrated a firm commitment to helping the most needy in society.