The Rise and Fall of the Church in Byzantium

Churches became increasingly associated with feeding, housing, and clothing the indigent. The church was able to afford this because of a steady stream of donations and bequests which ballooned over the centuries into large tracts of land. Many churches set up orphanages, hospitals, and acted as ombudsman for the poor. Out in the countryside, many pagan fairs and festivals were now given Christian sanction so that their functions of exchange and feast could continue under the eyes of the church. Even secular legal disputes could be brought before him if both parties agreed.