What Does Byzantine Mean?

Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul...what do these 3 names have in common? Well, these are all names of one city, and the word Byzantine comes from this city. Not only that, but Byzantine Rite Catholics get their traditions from here too. Let’s explore more with this lesson. I’m your host, Shalone Cason, and let’s begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

A city named for Byzas

Byzas, after whom the city was naturally called Byzantion

— Catholic Encyclopedia, “Constantinople”

Byzantion, or Byzantium, was a Greek city on a narrow strait where Europe meets Asia. It was the city of Byzas. So when we say “Byzantine,” we mean “from Byzantium.”

Constantine’s new capital

the solemn inauguration of the new city did not occur until 11 May, 330

— Catholic Encyclopedia, “Constantinople”

Constantine gave the city a new name: Constantinople, which means the city of Constantine! It was also called a “New Rome.” Its great church was Hagia Sophia, which means Holy Wisdom. So Byzantium became Constantinople.

A way of praying that spread

by far the most widely spread in the world.

— Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Rite of Constantinople”

This means that this way of praying spread all over. Missionaries carried the Gospel from Constantinople to many peoples, like the Slavs in Kyiv. Greeks, Slavs, Arabs, and others all prayed this same way. So “Byzantine” means a way of praying!

Still with the Pope

remained in communion with the Church of Rome

— Christ – Our Pascha 307

Over the years, Rome and Constantinople drifted apart. But the Church of Kyiv kept its Byzantine prayers and stayed united with Rome. Byzantine Catholics get their history and traditions from Constantinople and Kyiv.

Close to the Orthodox

lacks little to attain the fullness

— Catechism 838

This means that it wouldn’t take much for our churches, Catholic and Orthodox, to reunite. That’s because Orthodox Christians pray the same Byzantine liturgy, with the same icons and feasts. The difference is unity with the Pope. Even though we are so close, it will be hard for everyone to agree, soWe pray that one day we’ll all be together again!

So what does Byzantine mean? It was the name of a city that became Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire. It also became the name of the way people from that city prayed, and even though Orthodox and eastern catholics both share the Byzantine tradition, only the Eastern Catholics are in full communion with the Pope. Thanks for learning with us, and until next time, stay holy my friend