Byzantine Rule overlapped Roman Rule due to the Great Schism that caused the Roman Empire to split into two. The Byzantine Empire lasted until 637 CE while the Roman Empire lasted until 614 CE.
There was increasing Hellenization of Christianity. Jesus preached about spiritualization of the faith. It was about how you acted, not where you prayed. Soon controversy occurred. There was a clash between the old Jewish faiths and the new Christian tenets. Constantine the Great legalizes Christianity in 313 CE with the Edict of Milan. The Council of Nicea is then called in 324 to decide on a formal canon for Christianity. This was based on the Hellenistic idea that there was only 1 correct way. Constantine makes the capital of the Byzantine Empire Constantinople which later becomes Istanbul.
Helena (Constantine's mother) decides to come to Jerusalem in 324, initiating Christian pilgrimages. She rededicates the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and it becomes the new axis mundi of Christianity.
Julian the "Apostate" rejects Christianity and tries to rebuild the Jewish Temple (stopped due to earthquake).
Theodosius comes after and names Christianity the State Religion. His wife, Eudocia also goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and builds churches and hospitals.
Justinian creates the Nea or "New" Church, in honor of St. Mary, mother of God. The biblical description of the Nea Church is very similar to the description of the Temple. He also builds the Church of the Holy Zion and expanded the Cardo.
Pilgrim of Bordeaux in 333 CE : oldest account of pilgrimages
Madaba Map (6th Century CE)
East is always up in ancient maps. The Temple Mount is no longer the center of Jerusalem maps because it is no longer the center of the dominant faith. Instead, Christianity reigns and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in the Center along with the Cardo.
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