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Definition:
The oldest division in Christianity is between the Western Roman Catholic Church
and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Eastern Orthodox church (which constitutes
the second largest Christian denomination in the world, after Roman Catholicism)
is a union of independent churches. Each is autocephalous, which means that each
is lead by its own head bishop. These Eastern Orthodox churches share a common
faith, common principles and organization, and a common liturgical tradition.
The patriarch in Constantinople is analogous to the pope in that he represents the Eastern Orthodox Church to the world, but he does not now nor has he ever possessed the authority of the popes. He does not have any administrative powers beyond his own territory (patriarchate) and he does not claim infallibility. Eastern Orthodox doctrine was established by seven ecumenical councils which held between 325 and 787 and amended by other councils in the late Byzantine period.
The Great Schism between the West and East was a long time in coming. The pope in the West asserted primacy because it was in Rome that St. Peter was buried - an "apostolic" primacy. The patriarch in Constantinople asserted primacy based on the fact that it was there that the seat of Roman government now existed - a "pragmatic" primacy. For a long time, tensions between the two were resolved in peacefully in councils - for example, the Iconoclastic Controversy.
In 1014, however, irreconcilable differences arose over the word filoque, which means "and from the Son" - the standard Christian creed in the West was rendered to read "I believe ... in the Holy Spirit ... who proceeds from the Father and the Son, " which church leaders of the East regarded as heretical. The reason why the difference was irreconcilable was the different ways approached the issue: in the West the popes considered themselves the ultimate judges in matters of faith and doctrine, but in the East leaders followed the authority of councils where the local churches spoke as equals.
The principle split between the Eastern Orthodox Christians and those who were under the authority of Rome occurred in 1054 when patriarch Michael Cerularius and papal legates exchanged anathemas.
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Related Resources:
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