The Great Schism for Unit 1 of AP World History

Dec 24, 2023

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The Great Schism happened before 1250, but understanding it will help you understand later tensions between the East and the West in Europe.

Constantinople — 1928852189/Shutterstock

The Great Schism, also known as the East-West Schism, was a significant split within the Christian Church that occurred in 1054. This event led to the formation of two separate branches: the Western Church, centered in Rome and led by the Pope, and the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and led by the Patriarch.

Several factors contributed to the Great Schism, including theological, cultural, and political differences between the two regions. One major point of contention was the authority of the Pope. The Western Church, with its center in Rome, believed in the supremacy of the Pope and his authority over the entire Christian Church. In contrast, the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople, saw the Patriarch as the highest authority.

Another significant issue was the use of different versions of the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian faith. The Western Church added the phrase “filioque” (Latin for “and the Son”) to the creed, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeded from both the Father and the Son. This addition was not accepted by the Eastern Church, leading to doctrinal disagreements.

Cultural and linguistic differences between the Latin-speaking West and the Greek-speaking East also played a role in the split. Over time, these tensions and disputes accumulated, and in 1054, the formal excommunication of mutual excommunications between representatives of the Pope and the Patriarch marked the official division.

The Great Schism had lasting consequences, as it solidified the separation between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. The division remains to this day, with each branch having its own traditions, hierarchy, and theological emphases.