Europe was divided in the Medieval period between Western and Eastern Christendom, one backward, one advanced. What were their religious denominations?
During the Medieval period, Western Christendom primarily consisted of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope in Rome served as the spiritual leader, and Latin was the prevailing language for religious texts and rituals. Monasticism and the hierarchical structure of the clergy were also notable features of Western Christendom.
On the other hand, Eastern Christendom, also known as the Byzantine Empire, had its own distinct religious denomination, known as the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Patriarch in Constantinople held authority over this church, and Greek was the primary language used in religious affairs. The Byzantine Empire had significant involvement in theological debates, such as the Iconoclastic Controversy, and also featured the influential institution of monasticism.
It should be noted that referring to Eastern Christendom as "backward" or "advanced" is a subjective assessment and not universally agreed upon. Both Western and Eastern Christendom had unique contributions to medieval culture, theology, art, and intellectual development.