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In 1347 a terrible scourge descended onto Europe. In only three years the Bubonic Plague, known as the "Black Death," wiped out one third of the population. The people reacted under shock as marches of flagellants and pogroms against the Jews became an added scourge. The firmly joined cosmos of the Middle Ages began falling apart, and the planning creator, God, now appeared as an unpredictable ruler.
The people sought refuge in processions, pilgrimages and a cult of relics while the Popes became dependent on the French king and moved their residence to Avignon. People spoke of the "Babylonian captivity of the church" during this time due to the increasing amount of spendthrift courts, sales of holy offices and money- grubbing grew, revealing a low point in morality.
The era has lost its way. A great yearning for the closeness of holiness filled the souls of the people in this dark time. Christian mysticism brought forth women and men with visionary gifts, whose revelations were regarded as God's intervention into their very personal existence. But the "powers of darkness" also permeated everyday life through seemingly omnipresent visits from devils and demons.
The Popes returned to Rome, but remained involved in the disputes of the various parties. A great outcry for a "reform of head and limbs" became louder and louder- the Christian people were in desperate need to be pulled out from grave doubt and disorder.This series explores the archaeology and origins of Christianity and how it came into the world. Filmed on location in actual historical and biblical sites, this series features many memorable, full scale dramatic re- creations.
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