Division of the Church: The Great Schism

As the Orthodox Church became more established in the East, their ideas on how to conduct church affairs became different from the West. This uniqueness led to the Great Schism or split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church (Greek and Russian) in 1054 AD.

Reasons for the Great Schism Use of icons religious images used to aid in devotions. Roman Catholics supported the use of icons in the church while many iconoclasts wanted them removed in the Orthodox Church.

Reasons for the Great Schism Disagreement over authority. The pope in Rome and the Patriarch in Constantinople.

Reasons for the Great Schism Who controlled the Churches in the Balkans?

Reasons for the Great Schism When Constantinople refused to aid Rome while fighting the Lombards, the Franks under the leadership of Charlemagne did. Later the Pope crowned Charlamagne Emperor.

Remember West= Roman Catholic Church (Rome, W. Europe) East= Eastern Orthodox Church (Greek, E. Europe)