How did the Christian Church become a major force in Europe?
AAs the Western Roman Empire disintegrated, the Christian Church survived and grew. The church developed permanent institutions that drew on the Greco-
Sarcophagus of HelenaThis marble sarcophagus was made for Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, at her death. Its detailed carvings show victorious Roman horsemen and barbarian prisoners. Like her son, Helena became a Christian, and she was sent by Constantine on a journey to bring sacred relics from Jerusalem to Constantinople as part of his efforts to promote Christianity in the empire. (© Vanni Archive/Art Resource, NY)