Which of the following accurately describes who John of Damascus was?

The patriarch of the Byzantine Church

The leading opponent of iconoclasm

The military governor of Damascus

The pope who excommunicated Leo III

What was one effect of the Iconoclast Controversy on the Byzantine Empire?

A break in relations between the East and West

The collapse of the Roman Catholic Church

The establishment of “New Rome”

The Pope’s call for the Crusades

John Damascus (675 or 676 - 749), the so-called John Damascene, was a Syrian monk and priest. He wrote many works on Christian faith, and his hymns are still used in the liturgical practice of the Eastern Orthodox Church. According to some sources, he was patriarch of Jerusalem, but these are not officially confirmed sources and should be accepted with reserve. He was best known for his strong defense of icons during the iconoclsam.

The correct answer is: The leading opponent of iconoclasm

Iconoclasm is a belief in the necessity of destroying icons by those who have literally interpreted the ten commandments of God, where it is said that there is no image for worship. This is, of course, the wrong interpretation of the commandments. Under the auspices of the Byzantine Empire, there was a lot to and against the destruction of icons. Iconoclasm was led by the Byzantine Emperor Leo III, so that all the opponents were most strongly prosecuted. This also affected the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and the West. Catholic Church always defended sacred images and icons, but not their rise and worship as gods.

The correct answer is: A break in relations between the East and West