Church Law and Church Order in Rome and Byzantium: A Comparative Study

The contributions to canon law of Roman and Byzantine church fathers from the 6th-12th centuries are analyzed and compared in this careful study by Gallagher (Oxford U., UK). The development of the schism between the western and eastern churches is followed, but is not the central motif which remains the reasoning behind and implementation of the laws, including their development outside the Empire. The fathers and works considered include Dionysius Exiguus, John Scholastikos, the Nomokanon , the False Decretals, St. Methodius, Gratian, Theodore Balsamon, and Bar Hebraeus. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)