The Schism of 1054

Global History: Spiconardi

Origins Iconoclasm Pope Gregory

speaks out against Byzantine Empire’s iconoclast movement

Western culture was evolving Influence from Germanic tribes

Eastern culture retained its Hellenistic and Greco-Roman culture

Origins Papacy vs. Secularism

Secularism belief that religion should not enter into the functions of the state

The East believed the pope claimed to have too much jurisdiction

West took issue with Caesaropapism subordination of the church to secular rulers

Origins The Filoque Churches debated on the origin of

the Holy Spirit

The Issues

Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Mass said in Latin

Pope has authority over all bishops & secular leaders

Priests may not marry

Divorce is not permitted

Mass said in Greek or vernacular

Patriarchs and other bishops head the church as a group

The emperor has authority over the patriarchs and bishops

Priests may marry Divorce permitted under

certain conditions

The Issues

Unleavened or leavened bread?

Western Rite Communion Wafers Eastern Rite Communion Bread

The Schism of 1054 (The Great Schism) In 1054 Pope Leo IX and the

Patriarch (head bishop) of Constantinople excommunicated one another after emissaries could not reconcile during meetings

Excommunication depriving a member of the church the benefits and privileges of membership

Pope Leo IX

The Schism of 1054 (The Great Schism) The excommunications were void

Pope Leo IX died before he officially served the excommunication

Patriarch Michael Cerularius had no authority to excommunicate

The Schism of 1054 (The Great Schism) Christendom splits into the Roman

Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church

Catholic “universal”

Orthodox “right belief”

Today the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Church are meeting in hopes of one day unifying the Church