East–West Schism

The East-West Schism, also called the Great Schism or the Schism of 1054 is the break of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.[1] Before 1054, Greek East and Latin West churches had many differences and arguments. In 1054, the two churches officially split.[1][2][3]

Great Schism with former borders (1054).png
Date16 July 1054 – present
TypeChristian schism
CauseEcclesiastical differences
Theological and liturgical disputes
ParticipantsPope Leo IX
Ecumenical Patriarch Michael I Cerularius
OutcomeSplit of the two churches into the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church

The two churches had many arguments. These include:

The schism began in 1053. Greek churches in southern Italy Italy had to follow Latin church rules. If the Greek churches did not follow Latin rules, they would be closed.[5][6][7] Because of this, Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople closed all Latin churches in Constantinople.

In 1054, Leo IX sent the papal legate to Constantinople. The papal legate tried to remove Cerularius's title of "ecumenical patriarch". They also tried to make Cerularius say that the pope was the head (ruler) of the churches.[1] The main purpose of the papal legate, however, was to get help from the Byzantine emperor, Constantine IX Monomachos. Leo of Ohrid was attacking unleavened bread and other Western traditions.[8] Cerularius was supporting Leo of Ohrid. The papal legate wanted Monomachos to make a response to Leo of Ohrid and the Norman conquest of southern Italy. The papal legate was sent because the emperor was trying to start a military campaign by the eastern and western empires against the Normans.[9] The leader of the papal legate, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, learned that Cerularius did not do what the papal legate asked them to do. Humbert excommunicated Cerularius. Because of this, Cerularius excommunicated Humbert and the papal legate.[1]

The church is still split. Both churches say that they other church started the schism. After the schism, more conflicts started between the churches.[1]

East–West Schism Media

References

Further reading

Other websites