Form Worship To Disappointment-Research On The Relationship Between Boniface And The Popes

St. Boniface was a very significant figure in the development of Christianity in Western Europe during the middle ages. He was regarded as the "Germany Apostle" after his sacrifice. During his mission in Germany, he kept in touch with the Pope constantly. As to the relationship between them, most researchers emphasize that Boniface was resigned to the Pope’s will, and few point out Boniface’s complaints.In fact, Boniface was so pious that he obeyed the Bible and Apostles’words sternly. As a result, his thoughts and acts were idealistic to some degree. With the flight of time, his idealism went discord with the Pope’s realism, which is the theme of my thesis.This thesis is made up of introduction, body, and epilogue.In the part of introduction. I sort out the current research on Boniface both home and abroad.The body of the work is divided into four chapters. In the first chapter, I give an account of the background of Boniface’s mission to the Germany. The Muslim were expanding their territory under the slogan of jihad, which threatened and scared the Europeans so much. Christianity in East and West was breaking up little by little on the difference of doctrine, especially on the diverse attitude towards Iconoclasm. Fortunately, the church in England was prosperous during this time and the monks trended to preach Christianity abroad.The second chapter talks about that in order to justify his mission in Germany, Boniface went to Rome to obtain the Pope’s permeation. Later on, Willibrord requested Boniface as his successor in Frisia, but he refused on considering of his loyalty to the Pope. Due to his excellent performance, Boniface was consecrated bishop by Pope Gregory Ⅱ. On the ceremony, Boniface made a pledge to the Pope that he will follow his orders from then on.The third chapter gives some examples which showed Boniface’s complaints to the Pope. Boniface and Gregory III had different ideas on the questions of which area should be preached firstly. On the ceremony of Baptism, Boniface also quarreled with Pope Zachary each. What’s more, Boniface criticized Zachary that he shouldn’t neglect his duties. Lastly, when Pope Stephen went to the kingdom of France and begged Peppin for his protection, Boniface was despaired. He then left for Frisia and murdered by the mops.The fourth chapter explained why Boniface had complaints to the Pope. At the same time, with more in-depth describe, a more colorful saint is demonstrated.The epilogue points out the significant influence of Boniface in the western countries nowadays and exalted his lofty traits which had a sharp comparison with the Popes’.