2. God as Ruler

3. The People of the Dark Ages had a strong sense of God’s grace but also of the devil’s presence and power.

4. The Mass and the Sacraments

5. In the west, the Mass followed roughly the same form as today, except that the language used was Latin, not the Peoples’ local languages

6. In the east, curtains and decorated wall panels separated the Sanctuary from the congregation. The liturgy of the word was celebrated in front of the panels, but the Eucharistic celebration took place behind the panels.

7. Veneration of Saints

8. By the year 600, many saints were called upon in prayer and remembered during the liturgy because they were seen as intercessors in heaven, which could bring a person’s needs directly to God.

9. The Clergy

10. Early in the 5th century, the minimum requirements for priests were that:

11. They have not done public penance in their lifetime

12. Not served in the army since the time of their baptism

13. Not have paid for public pagan games

14. Not have been a pagan priest

15. The Political Scene, West and East

16. The eastern emperors were s o strong, that they dominated the church, taking “super-bishop” role.

17. These eastern emperors were often Arians, and their appointments of bishops reflected that theological bias.

18. Chieftains instead of western emperors