Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church formally split in 1054, in what is known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism. The split occurred when Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I excommunicated each other. However, the roots of the division go back to the early centuries of Christianity, with the two churches developing differences in their practices and beliefs. While the Catholic Church does not consider the Eastern Orthodox beliefs to be heretical, Eastern Orthodox theologians point to theological issues beyond the primacy of the Pope.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of split | 1054 (known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism) |
| Reason for split | Theological and doctrinal disputes, as well as differences in cultural and political practices |
| Key issues | Procession of the Holy Spirit, use of leavened vs. unleavened bread in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, coronation of Charlemagne, Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction |
| Reconciliation attempts | In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill |
| Current relationship | The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination, while the Orthodox Church is made up of smaller, independent churches. Efforts have been made to bridge the divide |
| Perspective on the split | Catholics: the Orthodox split; Orthodox: the Catholics split |
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What You'll Learn
The Great Schism of 1054
The roots of the Schism can be traced back to the second century, when Pope St. Victor I (189-199) threatened to excommunicate the churches of Asia Minor over a dispute concerning the date of Easter. This dispute was eventually resolved, but it marked the beginning of a long history of friction and deterioration in relations between the two churches.
In the fourth century, there was significant ecclesiastical turmoil and confusion following the Council of Nicaea (325). The Nicene Christology was rejected or modified by many bishops in the East, putting them at odds with the bishop of Rome. While this conflict was temporary, it was followed by Christological debates in the East about the personhood and natures of Jesus, which led to several lasting divisions. In the fifth century, the Assyrian Church of the East broke communion with the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the Oriental Orthodox churches when it rejected the Council of Ephesus (431). The Oriental Orthodox further broke away from the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches after rejecting the Council of Chalcedon (451) and Constantinople II (553).
In the eleventh century, the Eastern and Western Churches continued to be divided by ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes. Some of the most prominent disagreements concerned the procession of the Holy Spirit, the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction, and the place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the pentarchy.
The first step towards a formal schism occurred in 1053 when Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople ordered the closure of all Latin churches in the city, in response to the Greek churches in southern Italy being forced to either close or conform to Latin practices. In 1054, the papal legate sent by Pope Leo IX travelled to Constantinople, seeking help from the Byzantine emperor in response to the Norman conquest of southern Italy, and to deal with recent attacks by Leo of Ohrid. The legate denied Cerularius the title of "ecumenical patriarch" and insisted that he recognised the Pope’s claim to be the head of all the churches. Upon learning that Cerularius refused to accept this demand, the leader of the legation, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, excommunicated him. In response, Cerularius excommunicated Humbert and the other legates.
Despite the schism, friendly relations between the East and West continued for some time, and ordinary Christians were largely unaware of the dispute. Several attempts at reconciliation were made, and in 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill. However, the breach between the two churches has never been fully healed, and each side occasionally accuses the other of committing heresy and initiating the schism.
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Theological and doctrinal disputes
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been officially divided since the East-West Schism of 1054, also known as the Great Schism. This event was the culmination of a series of ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes between the Greek East and the Latin West. While the two churches had shared beliefs and a common faith in the early centuries of Christianity, they gradually developed distinct practices and beliefs.
One of the key theological disputes that led to the Great Schism was the question of papal primacy, or the authority of the Pope. The Catholic Church attributes "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church" to the Pope, a power that the Eastern Orthodox Church did not recognise. The Eastern Orthodox Church viewed the Bishop of Rome as "first among equals", without effective power over other churches. This dispute over the Pope's authority led to a series of conflicts and excommunications, ultimately resulting in the mutual excommunication of Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I in 1054, which formally divided the two churches.
Another significant doctrinal dispute between the two churches was the Filioque clause, which changed the nature of the Holy Spirit's procession. The Latin term "filioque" (meaning "and [from] the Son") was added to the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, also known as the Nicene Creed, by the Catholic Church. This addition asserted that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father and the Son", rather than from the Father alone as stated in the original Greek version of the Creed. The Eastern Orthodox Church rejected this alteration, considering it a deliberate change to the words of Christ and a violation of Trinitarian theology.
The two churches also differed in their understanding of original sin and the concept of grace. The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that original sin is hereditary and that everyone is born into a corrupted existence due to the ancestral sin of Adam and Eve. In contrast, the Catholic Church holds that the sin of Adam is inherited analogically, and even babies without personal sin are baptised for the remission of this sin. On the concept of grace, the Catholic Church teaches both uncreated and created grace, while the Eastern Orthodox Church believes that grace is solely uncreated.
In addition to these theological and doctrinal disputes, the East-West Schism was influenced by historical, cultural, and political factors. The use of different languages, Latin in the West and Greek in the East, led to challenges in communication and understanding between the two churches. The emergence of competing hierarchies in the Crusader states and the coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans in 800 further contributed to the growing divide.
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Different views on original sin
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church formally separated in 1054, in what is known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism. This event was preceded by a series of ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes. However, the division between the two churches has a long history, with some sources tracing its origins back to the second century.
Now, here is an overview of the different views on original sin held by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches:
Catholic View
According to the Catholic Church, original sin refers to the inheritance of the burden of Adam's sin, which is a mortal sin that prevents humans from entering heaven without sanctifying grace, such as baptism. This belief is based on the idea that Adam was the father of mankind, and therefore, all humans suffer the consequences of his sin. It is important to note that the Catholic Church teaches that individuals are only personally guilty of their actual sins and not their original sin. However, babies who have no personal sins are baptized to remit the original sin inherited from Adam.
Orthodox View
The Eastern Orthodox Church uses the term "ancestral sin" instead of "original sin" to describe the effect of Adam's sin on mankind. They believe that Adam's sin made humans capable of sinning, but they do not inherit the burden of his sin. Instead, each person bears the guilt of their own sins. The Orthodox Church emphasizes that Adam and Eve alone assume full responsibility for the sin in the Garden of Eden. Additionally, they view sin as "missing the mark" or falling short of the life expected of us by God. Salvation, in this context, is achieving theosis, or becoming like God in the way we live.
Similarities and Confusions
Despite the differences in terminology and emphasis, some sources argue that there is no substantial difference between the Catholic and Orthodox views on original sin. Both traditions reject the idea that mankind inherited sin from Adam and believe that mankind inherited a fallen nature instead. The confusion between the two views may be due to the conflation of Protestant notions of original guilt with the concept of original sin. Additionally, the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, which are central to the Catholic understanding, were not accessible in Greek, contributing to a potential misunderstanding between the two churches.
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Holy sacraments and practices
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the Orthodox Catholic Church, officially split in 1054 CE, in what is known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism. The two churches have different views on the events leading up to the split and its causes, with the Catholics saying the Orthodox split and the Orthodox saying the Catholics split. However, both churches agree that the theological differences between them are not as wide as those between other branches of Christianity.
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church share many sacraments and practices, but there are also some significant differences. Both churches recognise seven sacraments, but they differ in their understanding of the sacraments' significance and the specific practices associated with them.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is considered the "Sacrament of sacraments". It is believed that the bread and wine used in this sacrament become the literal Body and Blood of Christ, the Eternal Passover Lamb. This sacrament is celebrated during the Divine Liturgy every Sunday and Holy Day. The Eucharist is also important in the Catholic Church, but they use the term "transubstantiation" to describe the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Baptism is another sacrament common to both churches. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, baptism incorporates an individual into the Church, or the Body of Christ, and is seen as a public identification with Christ's Death and Resurrection. The Orthodox Church encourages the baptism of infants, as it is believed that God chooses children to be part of His people. This sacrament is usually followed by Chrismation, or Confirmation, where the priest anoints the newly baptised person with Holy Oil, symbolising strength and consecration to God.
The sacrament of Holy Matrimony is also practised in both churches, but with some differences. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the priest joins a man and a woman as husband and wife, and they enter into a new relationship with God, the Church, and each other, focused on mutual love and self-sacrifice. In the Catholic Church, on the other hand, the man and woman confer the sacrament on each other, with the priest serving only as a witness.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also has unique practices, such as the use of Holy Mysteries, which are special experiences where the perception of God's presence and actions is heightened and celebrated. These Mysteries are composed of prayers, hymns, scripture lessons, gestures and processions, and many date back to the time of the Apostles.
While there are some differences in practices and sacraments between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, both churches share a common foundation in Christianity and recognise each other's validity, despite their theological and liturgical differences.
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Reconciliation attempts
The East-West Schism, also known as the Great Schism, was the break of communion between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054. Several attempts have been made to reconcile the two churches, with varying levels of success.
Second Council of Lyon (1274)
The Second Council of Lyon in 1274 was an attempted reconciliation called by Pope Gregory X. However, this effort ultimately failed to achieve lasting unity between the two churches.
Council of Florence (1438-1445)
In the fifteenth century, the East experienced significant territorial losses to the Turks, creating an incentive for the emperor to seek reconciliation with the pope. At the Council of Florence, the Orthodox churches met with the pope to discuss their theological differences. Most Eastern bishops signed off on the papal claims and agreed to the Church's formulations on disputed topics like the filioque and purgatory. However, this agreement was short-lived, as the Orthodox bishops soon repudiated it due to opposition from their laity. This repudiation almost entirely sealed the schism between East and West.
Nullification of Anathemas (1965)
In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill. While this did not constitute a full reunion, it was a significant step towards improving relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Recent Developments
In recent years, there have been efforts to build bridges between the two churches. For example, the Russian Orthodox Church has extended a hand of cooperation to Rome, sending Metropolitan Hilarion to explore practical ways of working together. Additionally, Pope John Paul II expressed regret for the tragic events of the Fourth Crusade during the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to the Vatican in 2004. In response, Bartholomew I formally accepted the apology, stating that "the spirit of reconciliation is stronger than hatred." These gestures have paved the way for improved relations and dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church formally split in 1054, in what is known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism.
The main cause of the split was a series of theological and doctrinal disputes. For instance, the two churches disagreed on the procession of the Holy Spirit, the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, and the place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the pentarchy.
The differences in theology and doctrine arose from differences in cultural and political practices. For example, the Western Church used Latin while the Eastern Church used Greek.
The Catholic Church became more centralized and hierarchical, while the Orthodox Church maintained a more decentralized and autonomous structure. Today, the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world, while the Orthodox Church is made up of several smaller, independent churches.
Yes, there have been efforts over the years to bridge the divide and bring the two churches closer together. For example, in 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill.
