Christianity— East vs. West: The Great Schism Honors World Studies I

Setting the Scene  Two main Apostles… – Paul focused on the East (Judea) – Peter focused on the West (Rome)  Each major city had a religious leader called a Bishop – Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria… – Peter was the first Bishop of Rome  Cultural Diffusion led to differences in how Christianity was practiced

“Main” City / Seat of Power  West – Rome  East – Constantinople

Amount of Influence on Emperor  West – Little (Far away)  East – Lots (Right next door)

“Spiritual” Leader of Church  West – The Pope (Bishop of Rome)  East – The Patriarch (Bishop of Constantinople)

“Actual” Leader of Church  West – The Pope (Bishop of Rome)  East – The Emperor

Language of the Church  West – Latin  East – Greek

Marriage of the Clergy  West – NO marriage; priests practiced celibacy  East – Marriage allowed

Major Religious Holiday  West – Christmas  East – Easter

Worship of Icons  West--Allowed – Most people were illiterate; needed pictures to understand Bible  East--Not Allowed – Population more literate – Believed it violated Ten Commandments

The Great Schism  Emperor in Constantinople banned use of icons  Pope issued Petrine Doctrine – Bishop of Rome was head of church, not emperor – Excommunicated Emperor  Church officially split in 1054

What are they now?  Roman Catholic Church – Pope  Orthodox Church – Each country / culture has own version – Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, etc. – Each has own patriarch

The Great Irony  West – No longer worships icons  East – Worships icons