Question

Which european leaders helped to spread Christianity ?

Answer 1

There are numerous European leaders that might be credited with helping to spread Christianity, whether they did it in a matter that Christ might have approved of is another matter.

Explanation:

Christianity (like Buddhism) spread well behind the culture that founded it into the wider world; at first through missionary work, but eventually grew strong and influential enough that the religion became a political matter.

Constantine the Great (272-337) was not born a Christian and only converted when on his deathbed, but he recognized the emerging power of Christianity and the growing number of Christians in the Roman Empire. Becoming the West Roman Emperor in 306, he fought to re-unite both halves of the Empire; partly by harnessing both to his cause.

Constantine was responsible for the Edict of Milan in 313, which ended persecution of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Also when faced with squabbling bishops and sects (and Constantine needed a stable religion to keep the empire stable), he summoned them to Nicaea in 325 and instructed the leaders of the church to sort things out. One result is the Nicaean Creed (aka the Apostles Creed) which remains the definitive set of beliefs at the core of Christianity. Most churches still recite as a part of their services.

The Council of Nicaea also more or less standardized the bible (there were a number of different versions in circulation); and worked out a the foundations for the relationships between Church and State that would hold for many centuries. Constantine also provided a temporary stability to the Mediterranean World that would greatly aid in allowing Christianity to set down strong roots.

Down through the coming centuries, many European leaders found Christianity's stabilizing and unifying traits to be useful in uniting fractious new kingdoms -- or a tool in sudduing troublesome neighbours. Clovis, Charlemagne, Canute IV, Olaf of Norway all provide examples of how governance could depend on religion..