East-West Schism

The East-West Schism, also known as the Great Schism, was a significant event that led to the formal division between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, effectively splitting Christendom into two major branches. Here are key aspects of this historical event:

Historical Context

• Date: The formal schism is often dated to July 16, 1054, when Cardinal Humbert excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius.
• Background: Tensions had been building for centuries due to cultural, theological, and political differences between the Eastern and Western parts of the Christian Empire.

Causes of the Schism

• Theological Differences:
  • The Filioque Clause, which was added to the Nicene Creed in the West, stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. The East rejected this addition.
  • Differences in Eucharistic practices, including the use of leavened bread in the East versus unleavened in the West.
• Political and Cultural Differences:
  • The rise of the Papal Authority in the West, which was not recognized by the Eastern Church.
  • Language barriers, with Latin dominant in the West and Greek in the East, leading to misunderstandings and differing theological interpretations.
  • The Byzantine Empire's political control over the Eastern Church contrasted with the Holy Roman Empire's influence in the West.
• Clerical Issues:
  • The practice of clerical marriage in the East versus the mandatory celibacy in the West.
  • The use of azymes (unleavened bread) for the Eucharist in the West, which was seen as heretical by some in the East.

Events Leading to the Schism

• Attempts at reconciliation and mutual excommunications had occurred before 1054, but the final break came after a series of events:
  • In 1053, Pope Leo IX sent Cardinal Humbert to Constantinople to negotiate, but negotiations failed.
  • Cardinal Humbert, acting on his own initiative, laid a Bull of Excommunication on the altar of the Hagia Sophia, which was seen as a direct affront to the Eastern Church.
  • In response, Michael Cerularius excommunicated the legates and, by extension, the Pope.

Consequences and Attempts at Reconciliation

• The schism was not immediately seen as permanent; there were several attempts at reconciliation over the centuries, including:
  • The Council of Florence in 1439, where temporary reunification was achieved but not sustained.
• The split has had lasting effects on the development of theology, liturgy, and church governance in both branches of Christianity.

Modern Perspective

• Today, the schism is recognized as a tragic event in Christian history, with ongoing efforts for dialogue and mutual understanding between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
• The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue has been working since 1980 to address the issues that caused the schism.

Sources

• Britannica - East-West Schism
• Oxford Bibliographies - East-West Schism
• New Advent - The Schism of the East
• The Great Courses - History of the Christian Church

See Also

• Filioque Controversy
• Council of Florence
• Orthodox Church
• Papal Supremacy