One Church Becomes Two

In the early years of Christianity, most Christians belonged to the same Church. But over time, differences began to grow between Christians in the East (like in Constantinople) and those in the West (like in Rome). These differences were about beliefs, language, leadership, and culture. In the year 1054 CE, these disagreements led to a major split in the Christian Church. This split is known as the Great Schism, and it created two main branches of Christianity: the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East.

Why Did the Church Split?

One reason for the split was a disagreement about the Holy Spirit. Christians in the West believed that the Holy Spirit came from both God the Father and Jesus the Son. Christians in the East believed the Holy Spirit came only from the Father. This disagreement was called the Filioque (pronounced FILL-ee-oh-kway) debate. It may sound small, but to Church leaders at the time, it was a big deal.

Another major issue was the use of religious images, called icons. In the East, some leaders thought it was wrong to use pictures or statues of Jesus, Mary, or saints. They were afraid people might start worshiping the images instead of focusing on God. This movement against religious images was called iconoclasm. In the West, Church leaders believed icons helped people connect with their faith and wanted to keep them.

There was also a power struggle. The Pope, the leader of the Church in Rome, said he was in charge of all Christians. But leaders in the East, especially the Patriarch of Constantinople, believed they should be equal and make decisions for their own part of the world. These arguments made it harder for the two sides to work together.

In 1054, the Pope and the Patriarch officially broke ties. They both said the other side was no longer part of the true Church. This event created the Great Schism, which still affects Christianity today.

The Orthodox Church Spreads

After the Schism, the Eastern Orthodox Church became strong in Eastern Europe and parts of Central Asia. One of the most important places it spread to was Russia. Missionaries from the Byzantine Empire brought Christianity to the Slavic people, and it became a big part of Russian life. The Orthodox Church helped shape Russian culture, language, and art.

The Church also influenced daily life in other countries. It worked with kings and rulers, helped people learn to read, and inspired beautiful church buildings and artwork, especially with colorful icons and mosaics. It also helped create the Cyrillic alphabet, which is still used in many Eastern European languages today.

Why It Still MattersThe Great Schism was one of the most important events in Christian history. It created two branches of Christianity that still exist today. It also showed how religion, culture, and politics can all play a part in shaping history. The Orthodox Church continues to be a powerful part of life in many parts of Eastern Europe and Asia—and its roots go all the way back to this moment of division.

Source: The Great Schism and the Orthodox Church
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