Christianity took a firm root in the area now known as Ukraine in 989 when Vladimir, Prince of Kiev, embraced the faith and was baptized. Soon afterwards many missionaries, in particular Cyril and Methodius, arrived from the Byzantine Empire, having … Continue reading
Category Archives: Our Eastern Catholic Faith
Even though there was a split between the four Eastern Patriarchates and Rome after 1054, the worse was to follow in 1204 when Constantinople was sacked during the Fourth Crusade. The Crusaders were originally bound for Egypt. Alexius, the son … Continue reading
The term Iconoclasm refers to a period in the history of the Byzantine Church when there was extreme opposition to the representation of the human figure and the veneration of images, the two being held inseparable. This historical period can … Continue reading
In 1054 Leo, Bishop of Rome, sent three legates to Constantinople to attempt to settle the disputed questions of Greek and Latin usages. The chief legate was Humbert, Bishop of Silva Candida. The choice of Cardinal Humbert was unfortunate for … Continue reading
Technically the Churches of Rome and Constantinople were out of communion from 1009. But it would be unwise to press this technicality too far. Diptychs were frequently incomplete, and so do not form an infallible guide to Church relations. The … Continue reading
Another term used for deification or divinization is Christification. This is based on the idea that there is a Christological structure to the human being and the destiny of humanity is to be found in Christ. Theosis is the mystery … Continue reading
Where we left off in the history of the Great Schism was the death of Ignatius (877) and Photius again becoming the Patriarch of Constantinople. Photius was recognized by Rome and ecclesiastically master of Bulgaria. Until recently it was thought … Continue reading
Disturbed not only by the extension of the German influence in the Balkans and by the use of the Filioque, in 867 Photius took action. He wrote an Encyclical Letter to the other Patriarchs of the east, denouncing the Filioque … Continue reading
Four incidents are of particular importance when we think about the causes of the Great Schism: (1) the quarrel between Photius and Pope Nicolas I; (2) the incident of the Diptychs in 1009 (the name of the pope was dropped … Continue reading
Around 850 east and west were still in full communion with one another and still formed one Church. Cultural and political divisions had combined to bring about an increasing estrangement, but there was no open schism. The two sides … Continue reading