Hey,
everyone. The previous post I made was about the most commonly practised religion in Transylvania Eastern Orthodox Christianity. We have already discussed the fact that Transylvania is made up of many different cultures, and one of those
cultures is Hungarian. Hungary has always held a large influence over Transylvania, and many Hungarians are Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism is one of the most popular religions to this day all over the world.
Over half of Hungary is currently populated by people who identify as Catholics. It therefor stands to reason that Hungarians would help bring the influence of the Roman Catholic Church to Transylvania when they came over.
Keep in mind that the
Roman Catholic Church held more power than any other religion during the Middle
Ages. Kings and princes from all over would seek the support of the Catholic
Church to help hold their thrones. Vlad Dracul was no exception.
He sought
out the support of the King of the Holy Roman Empire in order to
hold the title Prince of Wallachia against the forces of the Ottoman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was ruled by a king
who was appointed by the Pope, God’s representative on Earth in the eyes of the
Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has always preferred a legal or a logical
approach to problems.
He sought
out the support of the King of the Holy Roman Empire in order to
hold the title Prince of Wallachia against the forces of the Ottoman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was ruled by a king
who was appointed by the Pope, God’s representative on Earth in the eyes of the
Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has always preferred a legal or a logical
approach to problems.
Catholics believe in Christ’s humanity as well as divinity.
They do not believe in the use of idols. Having Catholics in the East mixing
with the other religions was not an easy feat to deal with. The Eastern
Christians are more of a mystical religion, as I mentioned in my previous
post. Mixing them with the logical and legal minded Catholics did not always go
well.
Generally, Catholics- and the Catholic church did not get along with any other religion very
well.
They also had issues with followers of the Protestant religion, dating back to the Middle Ages in England, with Pagans dating back to the origins of their own small beginnings, and with Muslims dating back to the Crusades over the Holy Land. It is amazing that all of these religions were able to live together within Transylvania and not be at war the whole time.
Generally, Catholics- and the Catholic church did not get along with any other religion very
well. They also had issues with followers of the Protestant religion, dating back to the Middle Ages in England, with Pagans dating back to the origins of their own small beginnings, and with Muslims dating back to the Crusades over the Holy Land. It is amazing that all of these religions were able to live together within Transylvania and not be at war the whole time.
Transylvania is a land of mystery and fantasy. The Catholic
Church does not deal well with things of fantasy; they go against the beliefs
of the Catholic Church. They did come up with some interesting ways to co-exist
with the fantasy aspects of Transylvania though. The one that really stands out
in my mind is depicted well in a modern movie, Van Helsing.
Van Helsing is portrayed not only as the best vampire hunter but also as the archangel Gabriel.
They made him a servant of God. They made it appear that the Catholic Church
had an underground group who were responsible for killing the monsters
of myth, including Dracula. This reinforced the Catholic belief that none was
more powerful then God. This meant that people who followed the Catholic religion
did not fear things that went bump in the night, for God was stronger.
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