Christianization facts for kids
Christianisation) is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire groups at once. Various strategies and techniques were employed in Christianization campaigns from Late Antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages. Often the conversion of the ruler was followed by the compulsory baptism of his subjects. Some were evangelization by monks or priests, organic growth within an already partly Christianized society, or by campaigns against paganism such as the conversion of pagan temples into Christian churches or the condemnation of pagan gods and practices. A notable strategy for Christianization was interpretatio christiana – the practice of converting native pagan practices and culture, pagan religious imagery, pagan sites and the pagan calendar to Christian uses.
Reformatting native religious and cultural activities and beliefs into a Christianized form was officially sanctioned; preserved in the Venerable Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum is a letter from Pope Gregory I to Mellitus, arguing that conversions were easier if people were allowed to retain the outward forms of their traditions, while claiming that the traditions were in honor of the Christian God, "to the end that, whilst some gratifications are outwardly permitted them, they may the more easily consent to the inward consolations of the grace of God". In essence, it was intended that the traditions and practices still existed, but that the reasoning behind them was altered.
Images for kids
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Constantine's conversion, by Rubens.
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Statue depicting the baptism of Clovis by Saint Remigius.
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9th-century depiction of Christ as a heroic warrior (Stuttgart Psalter, fol. 23)
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The Sachsenhain memorial in Verden, Germany
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Baptism of the Preslav Court by Nikolai Pavlovich (date of completion unknown)
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Seal of prince Strojimir of Serbia, from the late 9th century – one of the oldest artifacts on the Christianization of the Serbs
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Basil I with delegation of Serbs
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Introduction of Christianity in Poland, by Jan Matejko, 1888–89, National Museum, Warsaw
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Image of the King Saint Stephen I of Hungary, from the medieval codex Chronicon Pictum from the 14th century.
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The Baptism of Kievans, a painting by Klavdiy Lebedev
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According to Heimskringla, During the Christianization of Norway, King Olaf Trygvasson had male völvas (shamans) tied up and left on a skerry at ebb (woodcut by Halfdan Egedius (1877–1899).
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Danish Bishop Absalon destroys the idol of Slavic god Svantevit at Arkona in a painting by Laurits Tuxen
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San Pedro de la Nave, one of the oldest churches in Spain.
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Depiction of the Battle of Navas de Tolosa by 19th-century painter Francisco de Paula Van Halen.
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Evangelization of Mexico
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"First Mass in Brazil". painting by Victor Meirelles.
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Physical Christianization: the choir of San Salvatore, Spoleto, occupies the cella of a Roman temple.
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Ivory diptych of a priestess of Ceres, defaced and damaged by Christians
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The Baptism of Kievans, a fresco by Viktor Vasnetsov
See also
In Spanish: Cristianización para niños
