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Glite Dictionary
Byzantinism

Byzantinism

1 9.9
A belief that the state controls the church's affairs
  • noun
  • /bɪˈzæntɪnɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: bizantinismo
  • Byzantinism is characterized by the belief that the state should govern the Byzantinism's activities.

Examples

  • For specific discussion of this plaque, see also Stanley Casson, "Byzantinism," Burlington Magazine, LIX, July 1931, 212-13; Elsie Mathiopoulos-Tornaritos

    Academic text (1997)

  • Historians often discuss Byzantinism when analyzing the relationship between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Empire.

  • The influence of Byzantinism can be seen in how the state asserted control over religious matters in ancient times.

Synonyms

Caesaropapism
vsByzantinism
  • Formal
1 9.9

A system where the government controls the church and its leaders

says the state holds authority in church matters as in the Byzantine Empire
Erastianism
vsByzantinism
  • Formal
9.9

The idea that the government should control church affairs

describes the state holding authority in church matters as in the Byzantine Empire

Surface Forms

Byzantinism singular
Byzantinisms plural

Morphology

Byzantinism = Byzantine (semi-transparent) = Byzantin + ism

Formed by the adjective 'Byzantine' + the productive suffix '-ism' (doctrine), but the precise doctrinal content (state authority over church) is specialized and not fully predictable.

Etymology

Byzantinism comes from Byzantium, the old Eastern Roman Empire where the emperor often controlled the church, so the word names the style of rule there. So Byzantinism means the idea that the 'state' has power over church matters.