Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary - "Erastian,... adj:...advocating the doctrine of state supremacy in ecclesiastical affairs".
Caeseropapism is not found in this reference book, but Caesar modifies papism, thus Caeseropapism is a particular type of papism.
So, if the pontificate of popes Innocent III and Benedict VIII and the Medici popes was NOT Caeseropapist, what was it? Certainly not Erastian.
Now if you wish to allege that the policy of the Byzantine Emperors and the Russian Czars was Erastian, that's a seperate issue. It is, however, dealt with at an interesting website: http://www.geocities.com/kitezhgrad/monarchy/index.html You might want to visit it and take it up with the authorities there posted. In addition, there is an interesting historical study by Sir Steven Runciman based upon a series of lectures he gave at Hebrew Union College many years ago.
Sir,
I didn't say anything about Erastianism. All I said was Caesarpapism was common during the first 1000 years of Christianity in the East. Since there are no more Caesars, it may be more difficult to say that this is a current trend. I would say they are synonymous. And according to my dictionary, Caesarpapism is when the Caesar, the emperor, of the Eastern Roman Empire tried to influence ecclesiastical decisions. My original post still stands.
Regards