The medieval union of Church and State, strengthened by the ties of morality and culture created by Christianity, founded on Christmas Day, 800, when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor at Rome. From the first, it was an abstract concept; the relationship between Pope and Emperor was defined in various ways at different times, and but seldom agreed to by both; even the territorial extent of the Empire was always vague, though it may be stated roughly as comprising: all the German-speaking lands in Europe; certain territories to the west of these; and a shadowy claim, never substantiated, to the whole of Italy, though at one period the emperors had a firm hold on Sicily and resided there. Its history is inextricably bound up with that of the Papacy and of Germany; its throne, at first nominative, came to be elective, the electors being seven princes of the Empire, of whom three were the Archbishops of Mainz, Cologne, and Trier; it was abolished by Napoleon in 1806, many centuries after it had lost all vestiges of real political importance.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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