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When, why and how did it happen? And when will it come to an end?
In 1054, Pope Leo IX of Rome and Patriarch Michael I Kiroularious (or Cerularius) of Constantinople excommunicated each other. This mutual act crowned a number of East-West disputes, resulting in an East-West schism in the Church. Western dioceses remaining in union with Rome came to be known as Roman Catholic, while Eastern dioceses remaining loyal to Constantinople claimed the banner of Orthodoxy. Nearly 1,000 years went by before a joint Catholic-Orthodox commission was created to study the causes of the division and work toward possible reunification.
While the official schism between East and West can be pinned to 1054, the split was actually a long time in the making. Over centuries, Eastern and Western Christendom developed different theological emphases and liturgical practices, as well as differing notions of Church governance.
One of the key issues that drove East and West apart was the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. Eastern Christians did not deny that the See of Rome held primacy over all other Churches, even Constantinople, but they did dispute the juridical claims that bishops of Rome were increasingly making regarding this primacy.
Continued below.
In 1054, Pope Leo IX of Rome and Patriarch Michael I Kiroularious (or Cerularius) of Constantinople excommunicated each other. This mutual act crowned a number of East-West disputes, resulting in an East-West schism in the Church. Western dioceses remaining in union with Rome came to be known as Roman Catholic, while Eastern dioceses remaining loyal to Constantinople claimed the banner of Orthodoxy. Nearly 1,000 years went by before a joint Catholic-Orthodox commission was created to study the causes of the division and work toward possible reunification.
While the official schism between East and West can be pinned to 1054, the split was actually a long time in the making. Over centuries, Eastern and Western Christendom developed different theological emphases and liturgical practices, as well as differing notions of Church governance.
One of the key issues that drove East and West apart was the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. Eastern Christians did not deny that the See of Rome held primacy over all other Churches, even Constantinople, but they did dispute the juridical claims that bishops of Rome were increasingly making regarding this primacy.
Continued below.
What you need to know about the Orthodox-Catholic split and hopes for reunification
When, why and how did it happen? And when will it come to an end?
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