The Church as <i>Res Publica</i>
Christianity emerged valuing horizontal socio-political relations, which it inherited from Jesus Christ, and which resonated with the ideals of ancient Greek and Roman republicanism. As the church engaged with the Roman Empire, its republican roots faded, adopting monarchical traits. Still, republic...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| author | Cyril Hovorun |
| author_facet | Cyril Hovorun |
| author_sort | Cyril Hovorun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Christianity emerged valuing horizontal socio-political relations, which it inherited from Jesus Christ, and which resonated with the ideals of ancient Greek and Roman republicanism. As the church engaged with the Roman Empire, its republican roots faded, adopting monarchical traits. Still, republicanism never disappeared from the church or the Christian Empire. In the former, it took the form of synodality and became reflected in the ways of electing bishops. In the latter, the church became a part of the power-sharing system, effectively substituting the Senate. In contrast to the stereotype that the church is intrinsically monarchical and supports monarchies, this paper argues that the original Christian ethos is more republican than monarchical. As a result, the church has the potential to enhance democracies in the modern geopolitical landscape. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-368a7bf929c54b5a80101d535e53c916 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-368a7bf929c54b5a80101d535e53c9162025-01-24T13:47:21ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-12-011613210.3390/rel16010032The Church as <i>Res Publica</i>Cyril Hovorun0Department of Eastern Christian Studies, University College Stockholm, SE-168 39 Bromma, SwedenChristianity emerged valuing horizontal socio-political relations, which it inherited from Jesus Christ, and which resonated with the ideals of ancient Greek and Roman republicanism. As the church engaged with the Roman Empire, its republican roots faded, adopting monarchical traits. Still, republicanism never disappeared from the church or the Christian Empire. In the former, it took the form of synodality and became reflected in the ways of electing bishops. In the latter, the church became a part of the power-sharing system, effectively substituting the Senate. In contrast to the stereotype that the church is intrinsically monarchical and supports monarchies, this paper argues that the original Christian ethos is more republican than monarchical. As a result, the church has the potential to enhance democracies in the modern geopolitical landscape.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/1/32republicmonarchysymphonypower-sharingaccountabilityconciliarity |
| spellingShingle | Cyril Hovorun The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> Religions republic monarchy symphony power-sharing accountability conciliarity |
| title | The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> |
| title_full | The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> |
| title_fullStr | The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> |
| title_short | The Church as <i>Res Publica</i> |
| title_sort | church as i res publica i |
| topic | republic monarchy symphony power-sharing accountability conciliarity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/1/32 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cyrilhovorun thechurchasirespublicai AT cyrilhovorun churchasirespublicai |