The great schism resulted
in the split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. It occurred in 1054 and was a culmination of various theological, political, and cultural differences between the churches based in Rome and Constantinople.
The schism was primarily caused by disputes over the authority of the Pope, the role of icons, and theological differences. The Eastern Orthodox Church believed in a collective leadership known as the Pentarchy, which consisted of five patriarchates, including Constantinople. The Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand, asserted the authority of the Pope as the supreme head of the Church.
Another major issue was the use of religious icons. The Eastern Orthodox Church defended the veneration of icons as an essential part of their religious practices, while the Roman Catholic Church viewed the use of icons as potentially idolatrous.
The final breaking point came in 1054 when Pope Leo IX and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius, excommunicated each other. This formalized the split between the two churches, leading to the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church becoming separate entities.
The schism had significant political and cultural consequences as well. It deepened the divide between the Eastern and Western parts of the Roman Empire, with the East becoming more aligned with the Byzantine Empire and the West with the emerging Holy Roman Empire. The schism also contributed to a sense of religious and cultural division, which continues to be felt in the present day.
Overall, the Great Schism was a momentous event in Christian history, resulting in the permanent division between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church and shaping the religious and cultural landscape of Europe and the Middle East.