ORTODOSSIA | Enrico Morini: Il Grande Scisma (Il Mito Del 1054)
Bill Denbrough・36 minutes read
The events of 1054 are often mischaracterized as the definitive schism between the Roman and Greek churches, as the excommunications were targeted at specific individuals rather than a blanket condemnation of the opposing church. Various political and theological tensions, including differing reform movements and local alliances, contributed to the complex nature of the division, which evolved over time rather than occurring at a single moment.
Insights
- The events surrounding the supposed schism of 1054 were not a definitive separation between the Roman and Greek churches, as the excommunications issued by Cardinal Umberto and the synod at Santa Sofia targeted specific individuals rather than condemning the entire opposing church, indicating that the tensions were more nuanced and politically influenced rather than an outright split.
- Underlying theological disagreements and political maneuvers, such as the differing views on papal authority and church reform between Rome and Constantinople, played a crucial role in the growing divide; these complexities were compounded by local conflicts, such as those with the Normans, and the cessation of the Pope's commemoration in Constantinople, which symbolized a significant break in communion that reflected deeper issues beyond mere theological disputes.
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Recent questions
What is the meaning of excommunication?
Excommunication is a formal exclusion from a church community, often as a disciplinary measure. In the Catholic Church, it is viewed as a medicinal punishment intended to encourage repentance and reconciliation. For Orthodox Christians, however, excommunication signifies a more permanent separation from the Church, even extending beyond death. This distinction highlights the differing theological perspectives on the nature and purpose of excommunication within these two branches of Christianity.
How did the schism between churches begin?
The schism between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches began to take shape around 1054, influenced by a complex interplay of theological disagreements, political tensions, and ecclesiastical authority struggles. Key factors included differing views on papal centralism and clerical practices, such as the use of leavened versus unleavened bread in the Eucharist. Additionally, the political context, particularly the Norman advances in southern Italy, exacerbated existing tensions, leading to a series of excommunications that marked a significant rupture in communion between the two churches.
What was the role of Cardinal Umberto in 1054?
Cardinal Umberto di Silva Candida played a pivotal role in the events of 1054 by entering the Great Church of Santa Sofia on July 16 and placing a bull of excommunication on the altar. This act was significant as it symbolized the formalization of the rift between the Roman and Greek churches. The bull was translated from Latin to Greek to ensure local church leaders understood its contents, highlighting the importance of clear communication amidst rising tensions. His actions, along with the subsequent decree of excommunication against specific Latin legates, underscored the complexities of the schism.
Why did the churches have different views on saints?
The differing views on saints between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches stem from theological and historical developments following the schism. The Orthodox Church does not recognize figures like Saint Francis of Assisi as saints because he lived after the schism, emphasizing the belief that only those canonized within the Orthodox tradition can be venerated. This distinction reflects broader theological differences regarding sanctity, authority, and the criteria for sainthood, which have evolved separately in the two traditions since their division.
What impact did the Crusades have on the schism?
The Crusades significantly impacted the schism between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches by establishing Latin states in the Greek East, which created a dual hierarchy of bishops. This division further solidified the schism, as it introduced a complex layer of political and ecclesiastical rivalry. The Latin conquest of Constantinople in 1204 had a profound psychological effect on Orthodox self-consciousness, as it was perceived as a violation of sacred traditions and history, deepening the divide and fostering lasting animosities between the two branches of Christianity.
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Summary
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Reevaluating the 1054 Church Schism Myth
- The myth of the schism in 1054 is a misconception; it is not the actual date of separation between the Roman and Greek churches, as often claimed in historical narratives.
- Historians have documented that the events surrounding 1054 were overestimated, lacking clear traces in historical records from Latin historians and chroniclers.
- On July 16, 1054, at 9 AM, Cardinal Umberto di Silva Candida entered the Great Church of Santa Sofia and placed the bull of excommunication on the altar.
- The bull was translated from Latin to Greek for the local church leaders, as many in Constantinople no longer understood Latin, highlighting the need for clear communication.
- The synod at Santa Sofia subsequently issued a decree of excommunication against three Latin legates, including Cardinal Umberto, without condemning the entire Latin church.
- The excommunications were limited to specific individuals, including Patriarch Michele Celli and others, rather than a blanket condemnation of the opposing church.
- Tensions in southern Italy, particularly with the Normans, influenced the political context of the excommunications, as local leaders sought alliances against Norman advances.
- Historical precedents show that previous excommunications, such as those in the ninth century, did not lead to permanent rifts between the two churches, unlike the events of 1054.
- The schism was exacerbated by internal divisions within the Constantinopolitan church, with factions supporting different patriarchs and appealing to Rome for validation.
- The theological disagreements between the churches, such as the procession of the Holy Spirit, were not consistently the same, indicating a complex interplay of factors leading to the schism.
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Early Tensions Leading to Church Schism
- The Roman legates prevented Latins from attending Greek churches in Syracuse, indicating early tensions before the 1054 schism between Rome and Constantinople.
- Pope Leo IX's delegation aimed for reconciliation but arrived in Constantinople posthumously, as he died in early April 1054, complicating diplomatic efforts.
- The failure of reconciliation attempts often escalates conflicts, similar to personal disputes, leading to increased hostility between the two churches.
- Political influences aimed to solidify an alliance against the Norman advance in Italy, highlighting the complex interplay of church and state during this period.
- Michele Celli's conflicts with Latin officials in Constantinople reflected deeper hostilities, particularly regarding the use of leavened versus unleavened bread in Eucharist.
- The schism was rooted in two opposing church reform movements: one in Rome emphasizing papal centralism and clerical celibacy, and another in Constantinople advocating for priestly authority.
- The Roman church reform, led by five German popes, sought to strengthen papal authority and enforce clerical celibacy, diverging from Eastern ecclesiastical practices.
- The commemoration of the Pope in Constantinople ceased, indicating a significant break in communion, which was traditionally marked by the mention of names in liturgical diptychs.
- Historical accounts suggest that the rupture began during the tenure of two popes named Sergius, with the cessation of commemoration reflecting deeper theological disagreements.
- Peter III of Antioch, a mediator figure, highlighted the historical complexities of the schism, emphasizing the need for understanding the ecclesiastical and political contexts of the time.
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Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Church Schism
- The schism between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches became significant around 1054, marking a pivotal moment in ecclesiastical history, particularly regarding the papacy and theological disputes.
- The Orthodox Church's view of sanctity excludes figures like Saint Francis of Assisi, as he lived after the schism, emphasizing the belief that only saints within the Orthodox Church can be venerated.
- The Council of Crete in 2016 highlighted tensions over recognizing other Christian churches, with Orthodox bishops rejecting documents acknowledging their historical existence outside the Orthodox Church.
- Excommunications from 1054 were formally canceled on December 7, 1965, by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, but this did not resolve the underlying schism between the two churches.
- The concept of excommunication differs: for Catholics, it serves as a medicinal punishment, while for Orthodox Christians, it signifies a permanent departure from the Church, even after death.
- A letter from Pope Urban II in 1089 revealed a lack of documentation regarding the schism, indicating that both churches were divided without fully understanding the extent of their separation.
- The Crusades in the 12th century led to the establishment of Latin states in the Greek East, creating a dual hierarchy of Latin and Greek bishops, further solidifying the schism.
- The Latin conquest of Constantinople in 1204 had a profound psychological impact on Orthodox self-consciousness, as it was seen as a violation of sacred Orthodox traditions and history.
