THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE IN THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

Abstract

In the present state of our knowledge, the byzantine life is
seen as marked by constant change, although at the same time there
was loyal adherence to certain traditions governing the outlook of both
Church and Empire. As regards the Byzantine Empire, a specific relationship between Church and State is characteristic, so apart from
the ruler who was chosen by the Lord himself, the role of the religious
head was limited to the spiritual functions i.e. to the preservation of
the purity of faith within the Church. Despite of this character of the
relationships, the Emperor also occupied a special place in the church
service. This mode of action of the Byzantine Emperor would later
become known under the term of caesaropapism. It encompassed in
itself the entire Orthodox ecumene which obediently received it.