How Greece was Christianized DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This video explores the Christianization of Greece, beginning with Apostle Paul's missionary journeys and the formation of early Christian communities. It delves into the slow and complex process of conversion, influenced by the Edict of Milan and Emperor Constantine's conversion. Despite initial resistance, especially in Athens and rural areas, Christianity gradually supplanted paganism. The script also discusses the transformation of sacred sites, the adaptation of local deities, and the eventual decline of pagan practices, highlighting the last pagan community in Mani and the philosophical efforts of Georgius Gemistus Pletho.

Takeaways

• 😇 Christianity's introduction to the Roman Empire, including Greece, was a gradual process that significantly altered social, economic, and political aspects of society.
• 🌟 The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys to Greece in 49 AD marked the beginning of Christianity there, establishing the first Christian communities in Europe.
• 🏛 The conversion of Dionysius, a member of the Athenian Areopagus, to Christianity and his subsequent role as the first bishop of Athens highlights the early spread of the faith.
• 🕊 Despite the Edict of Milan in 313 and Constantine's conversion, Christianity did not immediately replace paganism; the process took centuries and faced resistance.
• 🏙️ Urban centers were more receptive to Christianity than rural areas, where pagan practices persisted into the Middle Ages in some regions.
• 🛕 Factors like Greece's economic status, strong philosophical schools, and lack of monasteries until the 8th century hindered the rapid spread of Christianity.
• 🧙‍♂️ Monastic efforts played a crucial role in converting rural populations, as seen in the rapid Christianization of western Asia Minor.
• 🎭 The Neoplatonic Academy of Athens, a significant intellectual center promoting pagan beliefs, was shut down, indicating the decline of paganism.
• 🏛️ The Parthenon's conversion into a Christian church and the reuse of pagan materials with Christian symbols exemplify the physical transformation of sacred sites.
• 🗝️ The Maniots, or Maniates, were among the last pagan communities in Greece, with some accounts suggesting they clung to their old beliefs into the Middle Ages.
• 📜 Georgius Gemistus Pletho, a late Byzantine philosopher, advocated for a return to the worship of classical Hellenic Gods, reflecting a nostalgia for the past.

Q & A

How did Christianity first appear in the Roman Empire and its impact?

Christianity first appeared in the Roman Empire as a result of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys around 49 AD to places like Philippi, Thessaloniki, and Veria, where he preached the Gospel of Christ and formed the first small Christian communities in Europe. This led to a significant upheaval in the social, economic, and political life of the empire, changing it forever.

What was the role of the Edict of Milan in the spread of Christianity?

The Edict of Milan in 313 granted religious freedom, which was a monumental event that boosted Christianity's popularity and led to many mass conversions. It facilitated the spread of Christianity by removing legal barriers to its practice.

Why was the Christianization of Greece a slow process?

The Christianization of Greece was a slow process due to various factors such as Greece's economic and political secondary position in the empire, the strong presence of academies and philosophical schools that cultivated pagan beliefs, and the lack of monasteries until the 8th century.

Who was Dionysius and how did he contribute to the spread of Christianity in Athens?

Dionysius was a member of the Athenian Areopagus, the judicial council, who converted to Christianity according to church tradition. After his conversion, he became the first bishop of Athens, playing a key role in the establishment of the Christian community there.

What was the significance of the Neoplatonic Academy of Athens in the context of paganism?

The Neoplatonic Academy of Athens was an important intellectual center that propagated pagan beliefs through its teachings. Its closure was a significant event in the decline of paganism and the rise of Christianity in the region.

How did the Eleusinian mysteries contribute to the persistence of paganism in Greece?

The Eleusinian mysteries were a set of religious rites that attracted visitors from all over Greece and were so popular that they persisted even after the rise of Christianity. The rites included famous individuals and Neoplatonic philosophers, indicating the continued influence of pagan practices.

What measures were taken by Christian authorities to suppress pagan practices?

Christian authorities took several measures to suppress pagan practices, including the banning of public sacrifices by Constantine the Great and Theodosius I, the closure of pagan temples, and the destruction or repurposement of pagan sites and artifacts.

How were pagan temples and sites repurposed during the Christianization process?

Pagan temples and sites were often converted into Christian churches or basilicas. For example, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church, with the temple being reoriented, remodeled, and inscribed with Christian symbols to 'purify' it.

What was the role of monks in the Christianization of rural areas in Greece?

Monks played a significant role as the 'frontline soldiers of Christ,' traveling to villages, bearing many dangers to preach the Gospel, and convert the local population. Their zealous efforts contributed to the spread of Christianity, especially in areas like western Asia Minor.

How did the Maniots, a community in the Mani peninsula, resist Christianization?

The Maniots, or Maniates, were one of the last pagan communities in Greece. They resisted full Christianization until the reign of Emperor Basil, and even then, accounts from a century later suggest that they did not fully embrace the new religion, as evidenced by the activities of monks like Nikon the Metanoeite.

Who was Georgius Gemistus Pletho, and what was his stance on the religious transition from paganism to Christianity?

Georgius Gemistus Pletho, also known as Plethon, was a prominent philosopher of the late Byzantine era. In his work 'Nomoi,' he rejected Christianity and advocated for a return to the worship of the classical Hellenic Gods, reflecting a desire to preserve the old religious traditions.