Role of Orthodox Christianity and the Schism SSWH4c Explain the Great Schism of 1054 CE

Role of the Church Christianity became main religion of Roman empire by 4th century Roman church developed a system of organization Priests was head of parishes – local communities Bishop was head of diocese - a group of parishes or bishopric Archbishop – head of groups of diocese Bishop of Rome became known as Pope – the head of what is now known as the Roman Catholic Church

Archdiocese/Archbishop Pope Patriarch Archdiocese/Archbishop Bishop/Diocese Gregory I Priest/Parish

Roman Catholic Church Pope claim was based on the belief that Jesus gave Peter the keys to Heaven Peter was considered to be the chief apostle & the first bishop of Rome Bishops who succeeded Peter were called popes = Latin word for “papa” – father Western Christians accepted the pope as the church’s leader, but could not agree on the pope’s powers Gregory I strengthened power by taking political control of Rome & surrounding territories

Gregory I

Role of Church Gregory – pope from 590-604, extended papal authority over the Western Church & actively converted non-Christians Monk = man who separates himself from the rest of the world to become closer to God/ Monasticism is the practice of living like a monk Saint Benedict founded an order of Monks & wrote rules for their practice Benedict’s rules divided the day into activities; emphasizing prayer & physical labor to keep monks busy

Role of Church Monks meditated & read privately/ They prayed together seven times a day All aspects of Benedict life was communal Abbot (father) ruled each Benedictine monastery Monks were to obey the Abbot/ took a vowel of poverty/monks dedication made then new heroes of Christian civilization/ were social workers in communities Monks spread Christianity throughout Europe/Irish & English monks were enthusiastic missionaries

Role of Church Nuns = women who withdrew from the world to dedicate themselves to God Nuns lived in convents headed abbesses Abess Hilda founded a monastery in Whitby in 657 where she educated five future bishops

St. Benedict

Roles

Nuns Monks

EOC & Catholic Split Eastern Orthodox Church did not accept the pope’s claim as head of Church 1054, Pope Leo IX & Michael Cerularius (Head of Byzantine Church) excommunicated each other Great Schism = seperation between two great branches of Christianity