WI/AHC : Holy Order under the Vice Gerent of Christ

GdwnsnHo

Banned
Essentially, I've always loved the idea that instead of causing the Schism, that the lasting legacy of the Pope in Rome would be to lead the way in introducing the western Europeans into the church, and through the church, the Empire itself. Choose whatever motivations you wish, but the end result being that the Pope wants more Exarchs serving the Emperor.

So in this vein, could the Pope foster (successfully) a powerful hybrid of the Imperial Cult with Christianity. Its central tenant is that the Emperor as the Vice Gerent of Christ on Earth, and as such serving him is serving Christ. The order being focused on expanding the Emperors realm against the Heathen, with another side of it being that the Order may even be used to depose Exarchs, or an Emperor seen as false.

Adding in the belief that the title Exarch is an incredible holy blessing, whereas the Emperor is in reality granting the title to those that are most useful (pious vs powerful).

Could a Western Europe partially gripped by such a cult bring both western Europe under the imperial banner, but push back against the Muslim world? What other side effects could there be?
 

GdwnsnHo

Banned
To be honest,if you are the VICE-regent of Christ,then who is his regent?

Not the foggiest.

The old title is made of Vice (Latin - In place of) and Gerere (To Conduct/Carry On)

So I guess for the Emperor it means to Rule in God's Stead? Another sort of view on "Divine Right" I suppose.

Though I vote for the Regent of Christ to be Zoroaster, because Reasons.
 

GdwnsnHo

Banned
Is this like caeseropapism on steroids?

AFAIK Caesaropapism in the East Orthodox Church died out during the Iconoclasm - and I'd imagine anything like this would really flourish after the Iconoclasm.

Whilst the Emperor is purely a secular ruler (in that he is NOT the head of the church, those are the Patriarchs) - it is that one of the Patriarchs adds this flavour (or heresy, as you will) to Christianity in his jurisdiction. Obviously this could work against Pope, Emperor, or in concert against outside forces in theory.

So whilst the Emperor is not head of state, the office has intense religious connotations and importance, and the titles of Exarch are seen as essentially having power delegated through the Emperor from God. It isn't strictly doctrine, but not strictly denied either.

Essentially the idea is that the Empire, the Office of the Emperor, and fighting the Emperors enemies (as Gods enemies) is a huge aspect of Christianity as introduced by the Papacy in Rome. Jerusalem/Antioch/Alexandria/Constantinople may not agree, but it isn't like they're going to stop those Latin Crusaders reinstating their sees are they?

All I know is that I'd not want to be on the receiving end of Latin Zealots, backed by disciplined troops (who may also be Zealots tbh) - further backed by not quite so Zealous Roman Armies.
 

GdwnsnHo

Banned
So the HRE is the vicegerent of Christ, is what you're saying?

*hiss* NEVAR! :p

I did mean the Eastern Roman Emperor, but the Holy Roman Emperor having such a position is intriguing.

But the title Vicegerent of Christ was an Eastern Roman Title, and I believe a Papal Title after the Schism?
 
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