1. The Great Schism Throughout the Byzantine Empire, the Christian church carried forward a long tradition of icons. Icons are a representation of sacred persons or events. Icons are in several forms: mural paintings, mosaics, and small wood panels.

2. The Great Schism Some Byzantine Christians opposed icons; they believed worship should only be offered to God. Some believed icons were helpful at assisting the faithful to honor the religious figures represented. The newest converts to Christianity in the west, barbarians, believed that certain icons had magical powers and made sacrifices before them.

3. The Great Schism The battle over icons grew over the centuries. In A.D. 730 Byzantine Emperor Leo III banned the use of icons, ordering them to be destroyed. Pope Gregory III, who claimed to lead the whole church favored icons. Anti-icon Christians were called “iconoclasts” (meaning “icon smashers”)

4. The Great Schism In 1054 the church split into two churches forever. In the West, the church became the Roman Catholic Church (catholic is from the Latin word meaning “universal”) In the East, the church became the Eastern Orthodox Church (orthodox is from the Greek word meaning “correct belief”)

6. IICONS Icons are pictures of important Christians or sacred events that take the form of murals, mosaics, or wooden panels IICONS Icons are pictures of important Christians or sacred events that take the form of murals, mosaics, or wooden panels In the west icons were to be respected In the East icons were used, although many disapproved of them

7. How the Great Schism Happened 1.Christians in the Holy Roman Empire used icons because few people could read. 2.Some Christians in the Byzantine Empire disapproved of showing devotion to icons. 3.The controversy raged for years. It was one of many conflicts between the Church in the east and west. 4.In 1054 A.D. the Christian church split into two churches forever.

8. The Great Schism Catholic Church Catholic is Latin for “universal” masses conducted in Latin Pope thought to be supreme religious authority Clergy was celibate Orthodox Church Orthodox is Greek for “correct belief" masses conducted in Greek; Bible translated into various languages Patriarch appointed by Byzantine Emperor Bishops celibate; priests could marry