GreatSchism1054

The Great Schism: The split between the Roman Catholic Church (Western Church) and the Eastern Orthodox Church (Eastern Church) in 1054 C.E.
 * __ East and West Split of Christianity (1054) __**

One of the main causes of the split was the filioque controversy. The filioque controversy had to do with the dispute between the Eastern and Western church if the Holy Spirit came from the father or both the father and the son. Originally in the Nicene Constantinopolitan Creed said, “I believe…in the Holy Spirit, The Lord, The Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and together glorified.” This statement was the Eastern version, but The Roman Catholics added an extra phrase, “And from the Son,” so now the Creed reads “Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” The two sides highly disagreed on the role of the pope within the government. The east and west argued over the celibacy of priests, which bread to use, different rituals and the new capital in the east, Constantinople. Ultimately the east and west began to form their own breeds of Christianity, causing the split.
 * __ Causes of the Split: __**

The Roman Catholics believed the pope to be first among equals. The church and the state were more distinctly divided in the west, but they believed the state should be Christian as well as the church. This caused tension between church and kings for the church tried to control secular rulers. The west spoke Latin in mass, differing from the east, which was a huge barrier for the two sides. The Catholics also believed in a different date for Easter which was celebrated the first Sunday after the full moon after March 21st. They believed in celibacy for priests. Roman Catholicism thought primarily of Christ as the victim and talked more about redemption.
 * __ Roman Catholic (Western Church) __**

The emperor, rather than the pope controlled the Eastern Church. The East was a theocracy, the church and state were blended together. The Emperor was head of both church and state because the emperor appointed the leader of the church. The east generally spoke greek, differing from the west, but they had mass in vernacular (whatever language was spoken in the area.) The date for Easter for Eastern Orthodox was the Sunday after Passover. The east believed in marriage for priest. Greeks think of Christ as a victor and Greece spoke of deification. Comcast.net. Comcast. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. .
 * __ Eastern Orthodox (Eastern Church) __**
 * __ Citations __**

Eckman, Dr. Jim. "The Split between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy - Issues In Perspective." Grace University | a Premier Midwest Christian College Located in Omaha, Nebraska. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. .

"The Great Schism." Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church - Irvine, CA. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. .

Orthodox Research Institute. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. .