Topic 1 - Great Schism

Question 1

East VS West?

Answer 1

EAST - Byzantine empire, economically more stable than west, wealthy/thrived, led by patriarch of Constantinople (Michael Cerularius) -> became one of the most powerful cities, dropped language of West to Greek, more abstract thought process, started to make their own rules (stopped use of unleavened bread bread and started dipping their bread into wine during Eucharists.

West - West Holy Roman Empire, suffered in arts/education and decent living standards, constantly invaded by barbarians from North (not financially stable), led by Pope Leo IX of Rome (considered himself the “first among equals”), more legal minded approach.

Question 2

The event.

Answer 2

• Significant amount of catalysts  Excommunication of the of Constantinople, the supremacy of the Pope (quite significant as people and patriarchs disagreed with the amount of authority he had) and the disagreements of having Constantinople as the ecumenical church (Roman Catholics disputed this because they thought of it as a “universal patriarch”).
• 16th of July (1054) – one of Pope Leo’s IX clergy approached the main alter (Cathedral of Hagia Sophia) and placed a parchment that declared the Patriarch of Constantinople to be excommunicated (taking away someone’s authority in religion)  leaving the East furious (began to just excommunicate eachother).
• This was considered a big deal, however, the main stimulus was the Insertion of the filioque clause (West did this without asking for the Eastern Churches consent).
• Addition of the words “and the son” to the sentence, “I believe in the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the father and the son).

Question 3

Go over with Tati - Importance?

Answer 3

Lead to other splits (number of crusades occurred - trying to become the dominant religion, holding the greatest power).

Question 4

Significance?

Answer 4

• Very significant event in human history  led to the spilt of many denominations we know of today.
• Crusades took place during the splits (Christians fighting other Christians in what they believe).
• One of the most damaging crusades was the Fourth Crusade (1204). It consisted of the Roman Catholics invading the Eastern Orthodox churches. The ransacked Constantinople, killing young lives and stealing from innocent people. These tensions between different churches/denominations are still seen today – however, under more friendly conditions that are less damaging and involve less tension.
• 1274 and 1438  attempts at reconciliation.
• 1964  (no longer excommunicating eachother).
• The denominations and churches of today have developed with the help of people and culture to fit in today’s existing society.

Question 5

First crusade

Answer 5

1098-99 latins captured Antioch and Jerusalem and set up Latin patriarchs, causing friction with the oriental partiarchs

Question 6

Attempts at reconciliation

Answer 6

1274 and 1438

Question 7

When did they stop excommunicating eachother

Answer 7

1964

Question 8

Impacts of the Schism still seen today

Answer 8

Orthodox Church splitting into further denominations
(Russian orthodox)
And it also allowed diversity (if there were no splits we wouldn’t have discussed marriage equality etc) -> due to the supremacy of the pope