What major difference between the Eastern and Western churches led to their schism?
The major difference between the Eastern and Western churches that led to their schism was the issue of papal authority. The Eastern Church, also known as the Orthodox Church, believed that the authority of the Church should be shared among the five major patriarchs of the Church, while the Western Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, believed that the Pope should have ultimate authority over the Church. This disagreement ultimately led to the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the two churches and created the two distinct branches of Christianity that exist today.
Question
What major difference between the Eastern and Western churches led to their schism?
(1 point)
Responses
They disagreed about the use of icons.
They disagreed about the use of icons.
They disagreed about the divinity of Christ.
They disagreed about the divinity of Christ.
They disagreed about Church leadership and authority.
They disagreed about Church leadership and authority.
They disagreed about the language in which scripture should be written and read.
The major difference between the Eastern and Western churches that led to their schism was primarily due to the issue of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope.
1. Historical and Political Factors: The Eastern and Western churches developed in different regions of the Roman Empire and were influenced by distinct historical and political factors. As the Roman Empire divided into East and West, the Church also became divided along these lines.
2. Papal Authority: The Western Church, led by the Pope in Rome, believed in the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Saint Peter and the Vicar of Christ on Earth. The Pope was seen as having authority over not only the Western Church but also over the entire Christian Church.
3. Collegiality: On the other hand, the Eastern Church, led by the Patriarchs, developed a more collegial view of authority. While the Patriarch of Constantinople held a more prominent position, the Eastern Church emphasized the authority of the Ecumenical Church Councils, where decisions were made collectively.
4. Language and Culture: Linguistic and cultural differences also played a role in the schism. The Western Church used Latin as its liturgical language, while the Eastern Church used Greek. Additionally, different theological and liturgical traditions developed in the two regions over time.
5. Filioque Controversy: Another contributing factor to the schism was the "Filioque" controversy. The Western Church added the term "Filioque" to the Nicene Creed, stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son," while the Eastern Church believed the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. This theological difference further strained relations between the two churches.
6. Political and Cultural Divisions: As political and cultural divisions between the Eastern and Western regions increased, so did tensions between the churches. Factors such as the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of the Byzantine Empire, and various conflicts and power struggles furthered the divide.
Ultimately, these differences in theology, authority, language, and culture, combined with political and historical factors, led to the Great Schism in 1054, formally dividing Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
The major difference between the Eastern and Western churches that led to their schism was the issue of authority and the primacy of the bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope. This disagreement eventually culminated in the Great Schism of 1054.
To understand this difference, we need to look at the historical context. During the early centuries of Christianity, the Church was relatively united, with centers of power in both the East (Byzantine Empire) and the West (Roman Empire). However, over time, cultural, linguistic, and political factors led to a divergence between these two regions.
One key factor in the schism was the different approach to church governance. In the West, particularly in Rome, a strong emphasis was placed on the authority of the Pope. The Pope claimed to have universal jurisdiction over the entire Church, being the successor of Saint Peter, whom Jesus appointed as the head of the apostles. This led to the development of the doctrine of papal supremacy, where the Pope was seen as the supreme authority on matters of faith and morals.
In contrast, the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople, developed a model of conciliarity. They believed that decisions in matters of faith and governance should be made collectively by the bishops, gathering in councils such as the Ecumenical Councils. They did not recognize the Pope's claim to universal authority and regarded the collective authority of the bishops as the highest authority in the Church.
This difference in ecclesiology, or the understanding of the Church's structure and authority, contributed to a growing rift between the Eastern and Western churches. The tension and disagreements over papal authority were further exacerbated by issues such as language (Latin in the West, Greek in the East) and cultural differences.
Efforts to reconcile these differences were made, but they were ultimately unsuccessful. As the differences accumulated, the mutual excommunications between the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople in 1054 marked the official split, and the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church became distinct entities.
In summary, the major difference that led to the schism between the Eastern and Western churches was the issue of authority and the primacy of the Pope. The Western Church, represented by the Pope, emphasized papal authority and supremacy, while the Eastern Church, represented by the collective authority of the bishops, emphasized conciliarity. These differences, combined with other cultural and political factors, resulted in the split between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.