NTL Conservative Blog: Post Roman Church 476-800

The Third Chapter of the Christian Church began in 476 AD The Church lost its Emperor, but had been established as necessary to the new rulers of Europe. This period ended in 800 AD when the Holy Roman Empire marked the consolidation of Western Europe.

The end of the Western Roman Empire in 476 created a new chapter for the Church. It had been established with land holdings across Europe. Popes were firmly established as “royalty” and had been ombudsmen for the Emperor to the provinces. Nation-states were established with Kings in Europe and they established close contact with the Popes.

Without an Emperor, Italy was ruled by “City-States” like Venice, Florence, Napoli and others. The Pope was considered the King of Rome and enjoyed rivalries, relations and assassinations by the Oligarchies who ran the City-States. The Vatican became a political football with wealthy Italian families having their relatives appointed as Cardinals and Popes. Anti-Popes rose up to claim the papacy beginning in 498.

The Church was established across Europe by 476 and by the time the Western Roman Empire failed in 476, the Church was self-funded. Wars broke out across Europe to establish kingdoms to replace Roman rule.

In the West, with the decline of imperial power from the 4th century onwards in the face of the barbarian invasions, sometimes Christian bishops of cities took the place of the Roman commander, made secular decisions for the city and led their own troops when necessary.

There were 53 Popes from 476 to 800 with tenure averaging

5.1 years over the 324 year chapter embroiled in European politics and Vatican intrigue. This period brought bribery, assassinations and political corruption.

St. Leo I (the Great) (440-461)

St. Hilarius (461-468)

St. Simplicius (468-483)

St. Felix III (II) (483-492)

St. Gelasius I (492-496)

Anastasius II (496-498)

St. Symmachus (498-514) Opposed by Laurentius, antipope (498-501)

St. Hormisdas (514-523)

St. John I (523-526)

St. Felix IV (III) (526-30)

Boniface II (530-532) Opposed by

Dioscorus, antipope (530)