Byzantium and the History of the Orthodox Church

Byzantium was an ancient Roman city that served as a major hub for Christianity. In contrast with today’s untheological mindset, Byzantium flourished with religious festivities and passionately heated debates. It was a powerful center for Christian civilization, with which any other Roman or European city could not compete.

There was no clear line that divided the church from the state in Byzantium. The two were seen as one unit, not truly separable. Emperors Constantine and Justinian played significant roles in blurring this division. The emperor played an important role in several religious ceremonies, as he was viewed as a symbol of the monarchy of God in Heaven.

Monasticism was a large aspect of religious life in Byzantium. It started in Egypt and Syria but quickly found its way into Christendom. There are three different aspects of monasticism: “first the hermits, ascetics leading the solitary life in huts or caves, and even in tombs, among the branches of trees, or on the tops of pillars … Secondly there is the community life, where monks dwell together under a common rule and in a regularly constituted monastery … Finally there is a form of the monastic life intermediate between the first two, the semi-eremitic life, a 'middle way' where instead of a single highly organized community there is a loosely knit group of small settlements, each settlement containing perhaps between two and six members living together under the guidance of an elder.”

It is interesting to read about the history of a religion that is so popular today. There are several aspects to the religion that are not commonly known, even though so many know the generalities about such a religion.

Reference:
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/history3.aspx#Byzantine%20Christianity