A Brief Analysis: A Study of the Christianization of the Byzantine Empire from the 4th to the 9th Centuries AD. The way the Byzantine Church spread Christianity to pagans, in addition to poems, hymns, religious pamphlets for non-Christians, there were interesting propaganda "cartoons".
For example, while celebrating the victory of the Byzantine Empire over the barbarian invasion, the city magistrate of the city of Cliercus showed a laughing devotion to Christianity, and he "provided a large number of engravings for the small theater in the city", which depicted "a hand sticking out of the clouds with the inscription, 'The Hand of God defeated the barbarians' while in another place the same inscription reads 'The barbarians fled from God'.
Also in Alexandria, during a famous anti-pagan riot, "portraits of the pagan god Salapis on every wall, on the pillars of the vestibule, on the doors and windows were torn and destroyed,...... Then the cross sign of God was painted in the corresponding places mentioned above.
Moreover, after 312 AD, success stories of Christianization were able to spread freely.
As a result, church leaders in Constantine's time and beyond began to use formal literary forms to detail their missionary heroes, such as those written by Atanatius, and these writings were translated into a common language and sent throughout the empire.
In this way, various forms of propaganda, including texts in Syriac, Coptic and Latin and Greek, as well as symbolic and artistic forms, were now able to serve the prominent Church.
Thus, in ancient times, when the mass media were very limited, these limited media were almost entirely in the hands of the Byzantine Church and its supporters.
"In any case, in the city you hear loud recitations by the emperor's messengers and priests chattering sermons, as well as church music for Christian believers, and in the works of art or graffiti on the walls, you see mainly a variety of symbolic Christian symbols used for preaching, famous such as the cross.
Finally, there are various literary writings intended to persuade people to convert to Christianity.
Thus, when Christian ideas are heavily documented and "monopolize the communication market," the spread of pagan ideas is bound to shrink.
Christians behaved "on both sides" in the century and before, in times when pagan beliefs were dominant, quietly spreading their orthodoxy on the one hand, and remaining silent about pagan beliefs, rituals, or idolatry on the other.
Thus, during this period and for some time thereafter, a situation of mutual tolerance between Christianity and paganism was barely maintained, but by the end of the year, Simachus appealed to St. Ambrose for mutual tolerance, but to no avail, and tolerance between the two no longer existed.
By this time, a well-organized ecclesiastical kingdom had been largely formed, with the support of the Byzantine monarchs, and the Christian church had the power to freely express its responsibilities.
As a result, the church began to continuously voice strong condemnation of pagan beliefs and practices. Ancient swear words such as "crazy," "ridiculous," "abhorrent," "disgusting," "standing dirty," "evil," and "ignorant" were poured into infidels by church leaders.
At the same time, church leaders are constantly admonishing Christians that as long as pagans remain true to their ancient faith, devout Christians must fulfill this sacred mission: "You shall tear down their altars, break their pillars, and cut off their puppets" for the book of Exodus, for the Lord is a jealous god called the jealousy."
First, the Church strictly controls the writings of people and the spread of religious beliefs, and even the secular writings of pagan pasts are encouraged by Christians not to read them.
The Church strictly forbids copying and disseminating writings hostile to Christianity and views condemned by the Church, and is severely punished if they violate them.
"According to Eusebius, the father of the famous historiography of the church, the events that insulted the Christian faith should be forgotten."
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia Britannica, International Chinese Edition, China Encyclopedia Press, 1999.
"Damei Encyclopedia" Editorial Department of "Damei Encyclopedia" of Guangfu Books Bureau 79th Year of the Republic of China.
