Charlemagne is not remembered fondly by the Orthodox for his role in the schism. Some of this is of course due to the power dynamics and politics of that time, which marked the beginning of a mutual antagonism where I think neither side quite understood what was going on. But Charlemagne and his successors are also seen having committed several key theological and ecclesial errors (the mandating of the use of the Filioque in the Creed, over the objections of multiple popes at that time, being the one everyone most remembers). It's a long and thorny subject though.
Very true. Too much time has elapsed, and in that time too many other things have happened. There is, for instance, a process to heal an even older schism between the Chalecedonian and non-Chalcedonian Orthodox (e.g. the Copts, Syriacs, Ethiopians and several others) where the underlying Christologies are very close, but healing a 1500 year breach takes time.
Terrific post. It should also be mentioned that part of the liturgical standardization at this time (beginning with Pepin) involved bringing Roman singers and Roman chant north, which gave rise to what we now call Gregorian chant. Quite apart from its liturgical use, this repertoire is a high point of western civilization and would stand on its own as a testament to Carolingian artistic greatness. The chant also first started being written down at this time in the form of neumes, which are the basis for later western musical notation. Some of the earliest examples are preserved at St. Gall.
I had to laugh at the video about the trivium- 5th graders fluent in Latin, etc. and the comment about current schooling basically being glorified daycare, preparing the young adults for subservient labor in various types of industry. How far we have fallen from these amazing and enlightened times where people, above all, learned to think - logically! Logic has long been lost....
It looks like the Book of Kells falls into this time range with its Celtic knots and wonderful spirals and geometry used for the glory of God. The script used then, too, is so clear and easy to read. Charlemagne was a genius.
Outstanding post. I've taught the Carolingian Renaissance to teenagers in my homeschooling community, so it was a joy to immerse myself in it all again in this post. Thanks, Hilary!
Thank you for this and your series on Late Gothic vs Renaissance metaphysics as revealed by the visual arts. This has spurred my own inquiry into an analogous phenomenon in music, especially regarding new liturgical art music and defective understandings in the present day of what constitutes truly sacred and beautiful vs. merely pretty and pleasing liturgical music.
Charlemagne is not remembered fondly by the Orthodox for his role in the schism. Some of this is of course due to the power dynamics and politics of that time, which marked the beginning of a mutual antagonism where I think neither side quite understood what was going on. But Charlemagne and his successors are also seen having committed several key theological and ecclesial errors (the mandating of the use of the Filioque in the Creed, over the objections of multiple popes at that time, being the one everyone most remembers). It's a long and thorny subject though.
"Charlemagne is not remembered fondly by the Orthodox for his role in the schism."
I figured.
Sadly, the healing of the schism won't be easy. Let's all pray that the healing will be accomplished.
Very true. Too much time has elapsed, and in that time too many other things have happened. There is, for instance, a process to heal an even older schism between the Chalecedonian and non-Chalcedonian Orthodox (e.g. the Copts, Syriacs, Ethiopians and several others) where the underlying Christologies are very close, but healing a 1500 year breach takes time.
Terrific post. It should also be mentioned that part of the liturgical standardization at this time (beginning with Pepin) involved bringing Roman singers and Roman chant north, which gave rise to what we now call Gregorian chant. Quite apart from its liturgical use, this repertoire is a high point of western civilization and would stand on its own as a testament to Carolingian artistic greatness. The chant also first started being written down at this time in the form of neumes, which are the basis for later western musical notation. Some of the earliest examples are preserved at St. Gall.
I had to laugh at the video about the trivium- 5th graders fluent in Latin, etc. and the comment about current schooling basically being glorified daycare, preparing the young adults for subservient labor in various types of industry. How far we have fallen from these amazing and enlightened times where people, above all, learned to think - logically! Logic has long been lost....
It looks like the Book of Kells falls into this time range with its Celtic knots and wonderful spirals and geometry used for the glory of God. The script used then, too, is so clear and easy to read. Charlemagne was a genius.
Outstanding post. I've taught the Carolingian Renaissance to teenagers in my homeschooling community, so it was a joy to immerse myself in it all again in this post. Thanks, Hilary!
Wonderful post. Western Christian Art was off to a good start under Charlemagne. Would that we would have more of this influence in Western art today!
Thank you for this and your series on Late Gothic vs Renaissance metaphysics as revealed by the visual arts. This has spurred my own inquiry into an analogous phenomenon in music, especially regarding new liturgical art music and defective understandings in the present day of what constitutes truly sacred and beautiful vs. merely pretty and pleasing liturgical music.
Just thanks.
What an absolute treasure is your SubStack, Hilary. Thank you for all this divinely inspired beauty.
Thanks so much Frank.