What two forms of Christianity were found in 1000

History · High School · Wed Jan 13 2021

Answered on

Around the year 1000, the two major forms of Christianity that existed were the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. These two branches of Christianity had developed different traditions, liturgies, and church authorities, reflecting the cultural, political, and linguistic diversities within the Christian world. While there were other Christian traditions outside of these two main branches, such as the Oriental Orthodox Churches and various churches of the East, the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches were the most prominent in Europe.

The Eastern Orthodox Church was centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It used the Greek language in its liturgy and was led by the Patriarch of Constantinople, who was considered "first among equals" among other Eastern Orthodox bishops.

The Roman Catholic Church was centered in Rome and used Latin in its liturgy. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, was considered the supreme spiritual authority for Catholics and had a significant religious and political influence across Western Europe.

The Great Schism in 1054 formally solidified the division between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, although tensions and differences had been growing for centuries before the actual split.

Extra: The division between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches can be attributed to various factors, including theological disputes, political power struggles, and cultural differences. Theological disagreements included issues such as the use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist, the doctrine of original sin, and the filioque clause in the Nicene Creed (which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son). The Eastern Orthodox Church rejected the filioque, while the Roman Catholic Church included it in their creed.

Cultural and linguistic differences played a significant role as well. The East spoke Greek, while the West spoke Latin, which led to differences in liturgical practices and understandings of church teachings. Additionally, the political landscape of Europe was changing, with the fall of the Western Roman Empire leading to the rise of various kingdoms in the West, whereas the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) continued with Constantinople as its capital.

The Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople had various conflicts over ecclesiastical authority and jurisdiction, contributing to the growing rift and ultimately leading to mutual excommunication in 1054. Despite the schism, both branches of Christianity continued to flourish and spread their influence across the world. They each have rich traditions of theology, monasticism, and contributions to art and culture in their respective regions.