Today in history: the Great Schism

Constantinople — July 16, 1054. Sunlight spilled through thet Hagia Sophia like honey. Incense drifted up in slow silver spirals. Monks chanted prayers beneath the blue dome, as two Christian communities cracked — the Latin West and the Greek East — from centuries of brewing disputes. Meanwhile …

Differing Dynamics. Catholic sources describe a “gradual estrangement,” a slow drifting apart as each side developed its own style of worship and leadership. Christians in Rome prayed in Latin, followed the Pope and used Roman customs. Christians in Constantinople prayed in Greek, followed the bishops and used Eastern traditions.

The Filioque. Of the disagreements, the biggest was over 3 words added to the Creed by the West; the Filioque or “and the Son.” The original Creed said the Holy Spirit comes from the Father.

• The West added from the Father “and the Son” to glorify the Trinity. Catholic theologians explain, “The Holy Spirit is ‘the infinite love’ between the Father and the Son, personified and active.” This honors God the Son “in the beginning” (John 1) since our triune God is everlasting.

• Eastern leaders said no. “We were never consulted. Why did you change it?” Catholic historians think it wasn’t about wording — it was about authority.

The Bread Disagreement. Another issue was the Eucharistic medium. The East used leavened bread, soft and risen. The West used unleavened bread, flat and crisp. Catholic sources record that an Eastern bishop accused the West of using “Jewish rites.” Rome responded yes, the Last Supper/Passover was defined by unleavened bread. However, historians say both arguments included insensitivity and prideful debate.

Rome Sends Diplomats. Pope Leo IX sent Cardinal Humbert and company to Constantinople to negotiate. Catholic sources describe Humbert as brilliant but intense. He arrived in Constantinople with two legates. Witnesses watched them walk through the streets asking: “Who are these Latin envoys? Why are they so serious?”

Constantinople — July 16, 1054. Returning to the Hagia Sophia, the Divine Liturgy filled the air with deep, beautiful notes. Candles flickered as the basilica glowed. Catholic historians describe the moment when they walked up to the altar — the holiest place — and laid a bull of excommunication. It was a formal document declaring Patriarch Michael Cerularius cut off from "communion with Rome." The Catholic Encyclopedia says the legates “deposited the bull on the high altar.” Everyone gasped. The parchment lay like a white scar across the golden paten.

The Burning Bull. Patriarch Cerularius was furious. Catholic sources say he gathered his clergy and issued his own excommunication—to Humbert. He even ordered Rome’s bull burned—to rue the day two leaders with two tempers cemented a centuries-long wound. There is more, but sadly, it fills volumes.

The Final Split. Catholic historians call the 1054 mutual excommunications as the Great Schism. After today (972 years ago) the Roman Catholic Church continued in the West. The Eastern Orthodox Church continued in the East. Both kept the faith in Christ but follow different paths.  It continues to this day.

What would Jesus say?

History says the split began, as cultures drifted clan by clan.
As quiet cracks grew deep and wide, stione cold hearts could not align.
Two churches in a tense unrest, one claimed East and one claimed West.
Greek and Latin shaped each way; their prayers, their rites, their holy days.
Liturgy rites became a slide, customs clashed and hearts oozed pride.

The “Filioque” stirred up flames, a tiny phrase to add a name.
The West said “and the Son” was right, to bring the Spirit’s shared delight.
The East said, “No, the Creed is gold. Words cannot be changed or polled …
by men who seek to break the past, or alter what our fathers’ cast.”
A single line begot the fall, the whispered “Son” became a wall.

Then came “the bread” the blessed sign, of Christ’s own Body bread and wine.
The East used loaves that rose with air, warm and soft with leavened care.
The West used flat unleavened bread; a crisp white circle, cleanly spread.
An Eastern bishop inked with fire, calling Rome a “faulty choir.”
Catholic sources say this claim; was sharp, unfair & meant to shame.

“Authority” added weight and strain, a tug-of-war for total reign.
The Pope declared with steady voice, that Peter’s seat was Christ’s own choice.
The East said due respect to the bishop of Rome. But every bishop guards his home.
Two ways to lead, two ways to guide; and neither one would step aside.
Their tempers rose, their patience thinned; and soon their words were clearly penned ...

When Humbert came, a storm in red; the cardinal brought an angry head.
Rome’s bull was placed upon the stone, a ghost white parchment, stark as bone.
The East’s response was to disown, Rome’s pope et al to keep his tome.
They kept their own ways, as scholars marked the day.
Christ calls us back to holy light and waits for us to end this fight.

Sources:

Catholic Answers. 2024. The Filioque.

Catholic Encyclopedia. 2024. Eastern Schism. New Advent.

Catholic Encyclopedia. 2024. Michael Cerularius. New Advent.

EWTN. 2023. The Filioque Controversy.

EWTN. Miller, P. L. 2023. The Great Schism That Divided East and West.

St Augustine on the Filioque | Catholic365