Christianization

The historical phenomenon of Christianization, the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once (a political shift as much as a spontaneous mass shift in individual consciences), also includes the practice of converting pagan cult practices, pagan religious imagery, pagan sites and the pagan calendar to Christian uses. This practice has at times been relatively peaceful and at times has been a very violent process, ranging from inspired works of charity which convinced populations to adopt Christianity to forced conversions.

Christianized populations

When referring to Northern Europe, the means of this conversion were chiefly Proselytism directed towards monarchs and chieftains whose people then followed their conversion.

Related Topics:
Northern Europe - Proselytism - Monarch - Chieftain

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Crusades against the Wends, Balticum, and present-day Finland were also organized, although it is disputed how much these served a religious purpose or the power ambitions of kings, princes and noble bishops.

Related Topics:
Crusade - Wends - Balticum - Finland - Prince - Noble - Bishop

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In long-settled and urban areas of Europe, Christianizing the indigenous populations also involved the conversion of both Muslims and Jews. The Christian sources describe and justify the punishments meted out to the intransigent, but ordinarily omit instances of coercion. In Palencia Spain, for instance, the Catholic sources tell that Saint Vincent Ferrer preached so successfully, converting thousands of Jews, that he was permitted to employ the synagogue for his newly-founded hospital of San Salvador.

Related Topics:
Conversion - Muslim - Jew - Palencia - Vincent Ferrer

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