Byzantine Christianity

Abstract Byzantine Christianity originated in the eastern Roman Empire where it evolved concurrently with the emerging Byzantine state. It was the dominant form of Eastern Christianity throughout the Middle Ages and during this period it developed a complex theological system with unique spiritual practices. Byzantine Christianity's fortunes were in many ways tied to the Byzantine state, because when the empire experienced expansion and heightened influence so did the faith. While Byzantine Christianity formally represented the spiritual beliefs of the vast majority of the citizens of the Byzantine Empire, there were issues over which the leadership of the church and other Byzantine Christians clashed with the state. This was sometimes the case on issues of faith and practice, but also on issues concerning the role of the emperor within the church or even ecumenical efforts. Although the empire eventually fell under the weight of centuries of Islamic aggression, much of Byzantine Christianity has survived in the modern Eastern Orthodox churches.