UNIT 9: THE GREAT SCHISM

Objective: Students should be able to give dates and reasons behind each of these major historical events and their importance to history and the Church.

WEEK 1: THE GREAT SCHISM

Historical Background:

      Many of the political reasons for the Schism have been discussed previously; review them:

1. The fall of Rome and the Dark Ages
2. The rise of the Papacy
3. The ascendancy of Ravenna under Justinian
4. The coronation of Charlemagne
5. The temporal properties, armies, and power of the Western Church under the Popes, making them more like Emperors than like spiritual leaders of the East
6. Significant cultural differences between the Western and Eastern Churches, even to the point that Latin was the language of the Western Church and Greek the Eastern
7. A new one: The tribe of Normans, at first invited by Pope Benedict VIII into Italy to help him against the Arabs, penetrated southern Italy and continued marching northward. But, since the days of Justinian, the clergy of southern Italy were under the jurisdiction of Constantinople. This would further complicate the drama about to unfold…

      Doctrinal reasons for the Schism to be reviewed include:

1. The “filioque”
2. The supremacy of the Pope
3. Scholasticism in the West and Hesychasm in the East
4. A new one: the celibacy of the priesthood – a change in the Western Church brought about by the Cluniac Monks in Germany/France

Pope Leo IX:

            Leo was a German Bishop, born in Alsace. He was elected Pope in 1048 AD. He was trained by Cluniac monks and firmly believed in the “filioque”, the supremacy of the Pope, and the celibacy of clergy. An able administrator, he insisted on these doctrines being strictly followed in all his territories. As he sought to extend his territory, he deposed the clergy who were married in Southern Italy and closed all Eastern rite churches that would not conform to his demands.

Patriarch Michael Cerularius:

            An equally rigid monk had ascended to the Patriarchal seat in Constantinople. He was alarmed by the Pope’s deposing his archbishop and priests and retaliated by closing the Latin Rite churches in his jurisdiction. Leo responded by demanding that the Patriarch and the Emperor both accept his Papal Claims. The stage is now set…

The Bull of Excommunication:

            A delegation from Pope Leo of three men – Cardinal Humbert, Archbishop Frederick of Lorraine, and Bishop Peter of Amalfi – arrived in Constantinople in 1054 AD. They met only with the Emperor, viewing the Patriarch as the inferior of the Pope. Remember that, in the West, the Pope held both temporal as well as spiritual power; he was ruler as well as bishop. They demanded the Papal claims and also the return of the province of Illyricum. The Patriarch was, understandably, infuriated by the snub.

            Now the Normans come into play. As they invaded Rome itself, Pope Leo was imprisoned and died. The legates were no longer empowered by the new Pope, but news traveled slowly in those days. They continued to press their demands.

            Patriarch Michael refused to agree to any of the demands of the delegation or to negotiate a compromise. So, on July 16, while the patriarch was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the delegation entered the Church and placed a “Bull of Excommunication” on the altar itself. They then stormed out of Constantinople.

            Patriarch Michael convened a council within a few days and excommunicated the delegation. Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria sided with Constantinople. The Latin West and Greek East were separated in 1054 AD. This is known in the Church as the “Great Schism”.

            Still, many people hoped for reconciliation – some sort of compromise. No one really believed in 1054 that the Schism would be last 1000 years. The events of the next two lessons would, unfortunately, cement the Schism without hope for resolution.

Discussion:

What about reunion today? The Bull of Excommunication issued by Cardinal Humbert and the counter-excommunication issued by Michael Cerularius were mutually lifted by Patriarch Athenagoras I and Pope Paul VI in 1965. Are the churches now ready to unite? Why or why not? Under what conditions? Do you foresee this in your lifetime?

Play a Learning Game: The Big Step – Line students up along the far wall, teacher at the other end of the room. In turn, ask a student a question about today’s lesson. If he can answer correctly, he gets to take a step toward the teacher. If he cannot, the question passes to the next student. First student to cross the room and touch the far wall is the winner. Sample questions:

            Who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor?                            Charlemagne

            What is the Bishop of Rome called?                                      The Pope

            What language was used in the Western Church?                  Latin

            What language was used in the Eastern Church?                   Greek

            Use of the Jesus Prayer is called what?                                  Hesychasm

            How do you say “and the son” in Latin?                               “filioque”

            Who was Pope in 1054 AD?                                                  Leo

            Who was Patriarch of Constantinople in 1054 AD?              Michael Cerularius

            Who led the Pope’s delegation?                                             Cardinal Humbert

            What document did the Pope’s bishops put on the altar?      Bull of Excommunication

            What were the 5 original Patriarchates?                                 Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem,

                                                                                                            Constantinople, Alexandria

            What was the Church split called?                                         The Great Schism

            When did the Schism occur?                                                  1054 AD

Close with Prayer.