The Great schism
The East–West Schism of 1054, sometimes known as the Great Schism formally divided
the State church of the Roman Empire into Eastern (Greek) and Western (Latin)
branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman
Catholic Church, respectively.
The main reason why the Great Schism happened in the year 1054 is because the
bishops in the Eastern Churches or the Greek Churches deny and reject the primacy of
the Roman Pontiff as head of the Universal Church.
The then Bishop of Constantinople, Michael Cartularies, challenged the Pope in Rome
regarding doctrinal matters. In return, the Pope has sent Cardinal Humbert, a French
prelate, to treat with Cartularies. Cartularies refused to meet with Cardinal Humbert
and kept him waiting with no audience for months.
Thus, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida delivered a notice of excommunication against
Patriarch Michael on July 16, 1054, despite the death of Pope Leo three months prior
and thus the invalidity of the excommunication. Many accounts refer to this as a bull of
excommunication but it is not a bull unless it is signed by a pope and Pope Leo had not
seen it or signed it. Michael in turn excommunicated the cardinal and the Pope and
subsequently removed the pope's name from the diptychs starting the East-West
Schism.
The two main reasons of the great schism were :
The Eastern Orthodox Church did not feel it should have to submit of the authority to
the bishop in Rome (The Pope).
The Catholics said the Holy Spirit emanated from the Father and the Son. The Eastern
Orthodox said the Holy Spirit emanated from the Father Only, and not the Son.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/587056/Schism-of-1054
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/the-great-schism.htm
Group members: Akhil, Amanda,
Gahan, Dorothy.