Acacian Schism

1. Acacian Schism

2. Acacian Schism After the Council of Chalcedon (451 CE) when “monophysitism” was condemned … the schism in the East became a reality. • In 475 CE, a new Emperor, Basiliscus, with monophysite leanings took control in Constantinople. He reigned for only 20 months. • When Zeno, a previous Emperor, returned to power, the Church was seriously divided between Chalcedonian Orthodox and Monophysites. • Zeno wanted the church in the East reunited. • The Patriarch of Constantinople, Bishop Acacius, drafted a proposed letter of reunion … the Henoticon (Act of Union). • This letter affirmed the creed of Nicea-Constantinople … condemned Nestorius and Eutyches … and approved the anathemas of Cyril of Alexandria. • Chalcedon … and its decisions were not mentioned. • Most Monophysite bishops accepted the Henoticon … but John Talaia … a previously deposed bishop of Alexandria … appealed to Rome.

3. Acacian Schism • John Talaia … Chalcedonian … but no friend of Acacius of Constantinople … a Chalcedonian … appeals to the bishop of Rome … Simplicius … a Chalcedonian. Simplicius rejects the Henoticon because it does not reaffirm Chalcedon. • Simplicius sends representatives to Constantinople and says that Patriarch Acacius must answer charges made against him. • The Emperor and Patriarch reject this “interference” from Rome. • In 482, the Henoticon is published … as a letter of reunion ... between Chalcedonian Orthodox and Monophysites. • A synod meets in Rome in 484 … bishop Felix of Rome excommunicates the Patriarch of Constantinople … Acacius. • Acacius removes the Bishop of Rome from the diptychs … • Mutual excommunications are for … overreach of authority … not over heresy (many would … and did disagree).

4. Acacian Schism • The schism … really a mutual ignoring of each other … lasts until 519 CE • The East supports a Roman anti-pope … Laurentius. • The Emperor dies … • The Bishop of Rome dies … • The Patriarch of Constantinople dies … • A new Emperor … Justin … together with Bishop John of Cappadocia negotiate with Bishop Hormisdas of Rome … and agree to a reconciliation. • The Acacian Schism was the first significant “break” between the Eastern and Western churches. • No lasting doctrinal differences emerged. • Lasted ~ 35 years … absolutely no incentive to reunite. • Began to clearly point to the significant underlying differences of Eastern and Western ecclesiology.

5. Church and State The popes, patriarchs, and bishops did not always win, however: • Patriarch of Constantinople, John Chrysostum, died during a forced movement to exile under emperor Honorius in 407 CE. • Chrysostum simply preached against the corruption and hypocrisy of the imperial court. • Pope Vigilius was carried off to imprisonment and death (555 CE) by the eastern emperor Justinian for arguing against the emperor’s compromises with the Monophysites. • In the West, the pope of Rome became the early medieval power. • Crowning of Charlemagne in 800 CE by Pope Leo III. Generally … the government was growing weary of ecclesial interference in what they thought of as their matters.

6. Gregory the Great • Bishop of Rome (590 – 604) • Became “urban prefect” of Rome at age 32. • Stopped the Lombard invasions and consolidated papal lands. • Increased control over bishops. • Began to standardize liturgical practices in the West. • Expanded missionary activity. • Clearly a secular and religious leader.

7. Events • Fall of Rome 410 (Visigoths … first conquest in ~800 years) • Vandals sack Rome 455 • End of Western “Roman” Empire 476 • Emperor Justinian 527-565 • Some of Italy restored to Empire (554) … bishops given responsibility to “supervise” civil, educational and financial systems. • Gregory the Great (Pope) 590-604 • Rise of Mohammed 632 • Antioch falls 637 • Jerusalem falls 638 • Alexandria falls 642

8. Muslim Expansion … 622-750

9. Loss of Major Christian Centers Constantinople Rome Antioch (637) Jerusalem (638) Alexandria (642)

10. SummaryDiffering World Views

11. How Rome Sees Itself • In the 5th century, Rome is overrun by barbarians … imperial structure collapses. • Bishop of Rome now not only represented the “Church of Peter and Paul” but also becomes the new power center in a changing Western Europe. • In Church affairs, Tome of Leo, is accepted as a statement of orthodoxy in the formulation of the Christological definition that emerged from Chalcedon in 451 CE. • The church in Rome came to believe that without it there was no Church (and no Western Empire). • At one time or another, the Eastern Patriarchs of Constantinople, Antioch and Alexandria appealed to the Patriarch in Rome … to find support in disagreements with other Patriarchs. • Rome did come to believe that it did have the final word … “Rome Has Spoken.”

12. Donation of Constantine The Donation of Constantine is a forged Roman imperial decree by which the 4th century emperor Constantine supposedly transferred authority over Rome and the western part of the Roman Empire to the Pope. Composed probably in the 8th century, it was used, especially in the 13th century, in support of claims of political authority by the papacy. The Donation … bestowed on the see of Peter … “power, and dignity of glory, and vigor, and honor imperial”, and “supremacy as well over the four principal sees, Alexandria , Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople, as also over all the churches of God in the whole earth”.

13. Constantinople’s View • The New Rome (Chalcedon canon XXVIII) • By the 8th century, Moslem incursions had overrun Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem. • Constantinople felt that it stood alone against forces acting against the Church. • In the first four Ecumenical Councils that defined the beliefs, developed the creed, published the anathemas and established the canons of the Church … no bishop of Rome ever attended. The East contained the heart and soul of Orthodoxy.

14. The Photian Schism Who is in Charge?

15. Photian Schism • Ignatius made Patriarch of Constantinople … 847-858. • New emperor forces Ignatius to resign … Photius becomes Patriarch. • Rebels opposed to new emperor declare Ignatius Patriarch … 858. • Photius calls synod of bishops and deposes Ignatius … 859. • Bishop of Rome, Nicholas I, challenges Photius. In 862-3, a synod of bishops in Rome declares that Ignatius is still Patriarch … letters sent to Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem. • Photius holds synod of bishops deposing Pope Nicholas I of Rome. • Basil the Macedonian kills the emperor, Michael III, and restores Ignatius … 867-877. • But relations with Rome are strained.

16. Photian Schism • Emperor (Basil) calls Council of Constantinople (869-870) • Issue: What is the status of the bishops and priests ordained by Photius during his tenure as Patriarch of Constantinople? • Photius condemned … he is equal to Dioscorus. • Everything done “in his person and by him … has been abrogated.” (Canon IV) • He is “anathematized,” i.e., turned over to Satan. (Canon VI) • Those clergy who were properly ordained “must be deposed and suspended.” “On no account are such men to be readmitted into the ranks of the clergy, even if they … change their ways.” (Canon XXV) East never accepts this council as ecumenical. West considers this the eighth Ecumenical Council (beginning in 11th century).

17. Photian Schism • Ignatius dies (877) … Photius again selected as Patriarch … but relations with Rome are good. • A council of “reconciliation” is called in Constantinople (879-880) and presided over by Photius. • Roman delegates sent by Pope John VIII say Photius can be “recognized” if he apologizes for his earlier unlawful activities in 858. Pope claims to be able to “release Photius and his clergy from penalties previously imposed.” (from previous council at Constantinople) • Photius refuses and says that he was never legally deposed (by Nicholas I) and has been Patriarch since 858. • The anti-Photian measures of Constantinople IV are considered annulled. • Both sides declare victory but neither side makes an issue of it. Relations are restored.

18. The Incident Traditional date of schism: 16 July 1054. • Patriarch Michael Cerularius (1043-1058) • Constantinople makes gains against Moslems … Armenia brought back into Empire. • Non-Chalcedonian Churches under pressure by Emperor and Patriarch. • Peter I, Catholicus of the Armenian Church stands firm. • Antioch cleared of non-Chalcedonian Monophysites. • Moves against Latins in the East. • Italy threatened by Normans. • Cerularius fails to send “synodical letter” declaring his selection as Patriarch to Rome.

19. The Incident • Letter sent by Metropolitan of Bulgaria to the West condemning “Frankish Christianity” … use of unleavened bread in liturgy … and fasting practices. • Patriarch writes to Rome as “Universal Patriarch of the New Rome.” • Pope Leo IX has Cardinal Humbert write a reply … and sends Cardinal Humbert to Constantinople. • Pope dies while Humbert on route. • Cerularius makes Roman delegation wait … for days. • 16 July 1054 … • Humbert excommunicates Patriarch … Patriarch excommunicates Humbert. • Real short term affect is minimal.

20. The Words “We believe and firmly confess the following: the Roman Church is such that any Church on earth should in its pride be in disagreement with her in anything, then such a Church ceases to be called and to be considered a Church – it is nothing. It will already be a conventicle of heretics, a collection of schismatics, a synagogue of Satan.” (Pope Leo IX … 1054) “We declare, affirm, and define as a truth necessary for salvation that every human being is subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (Pope Boniface VIII … 1302) “These ecclesial Communities [churches of the Reformation] which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called ‘Churches’ in the proper sense.” (Pope Benedict XVI …10 July 2007) • Eastern churches have a “defectus.”

21. Situation After 1054 Greeks and Romans are not in schism through the 12th century … do not consider each other heretics. • No real theological differences are emphasized, although the filioqueproblem does exist. • However, Byzantines begin to write against papal primacy during the 12th century. • Eastern view – No one bishop or patriarchate – including the primary see in Christendom – possessed universal jurisdiction as an exclusive prerogative. • No confusion of “primacy” with universal authority or infallibility. • Cordial public debates: • Anselm of Haveberg vs. Nicetas of Nicomedia 1136. • Primacy, type of bread in liturgy, filioque.

22. The Nicene Creed and the Filioque We believe in One God … … And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father [filioque] and the Son; Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke through the Prophets. … filioque … and the Son. • Original Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed (325 & 381) does not contain the filioque clause. • Filioque was added by the western Church in Spain to combat Arian heresy. Gradually it was accepted throughout the west … but creed cannot be changed.

23. Filioque For centuries the Roman Church claimed that it did not add the filioque to the original creed … Easterners removed it. However … now … “The affirmation of the filioquedoes not appear in the Creed confessed in 381 at Constantinople. The use of this formula in the Creed was gradually admitted into the Latin liturgy (between the 8th and 11th centuries). The introduction of the filioqueinto the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed by the Latin liturgy constitutes moreover, even today, a point of disagreement with the Orthodox Churches.” Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) Libreria Editrice Vaticana pg 65

24. Filioque • The filioque is not the reason for East/West schism, but certainly has been used as the excuse. • There are (may be) important theological implications of the filioque • In 2003, the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches issued a joint statement on their mutual understanding of the Holy Spirit. (largely from scripture) ----- The issue in the East has always been … only an Ecumenical Council of the Church can define a creedal (doctrinal) statement … only an Ecumenical Council of the Church can change a creedal statement. The issue may have theological implications … but its really about power and authority.

25. Situation After 1054 In the West, a series of councils, considered ecumenical by Rome begin to solidify differences in liturgy … custom … practice … ecclesiology … canon law … etc. • Differences East and West become formalized. • Lateran I 1123 • Lateran II 1139 • Lateran III 1179 • Lateran IV 1215

26. Formalization of Doctrine First Lateran Council … 1123 • Canon III: We absolutely forbid priests, deacons, and subdeacons to associate with concubines and women, or to live with women other than such as the Nicene Council (canon 3) for reasons of necessity permitted, namely, the mother, sister, or aunt, or any such person concerning whom no suspicion could arise. • Canon XXI: We absolutely forbid priests, deacons, subdeacons, and monks to have concubines or to contract marriage. We decree in accordance with the definitions of the sacred canons, that marriages already contracted by such persons must be dissolved, and that the persons be condemned to do penance.

27. Formalization of Doctrine Fourth Lateran Council … 1215 • “There is one Universal Church of the faithful, outside of which there is absolutely no salvation. In which there is the same priest and sacrifice, Jesus Christ, whose body and blood are truly contained in the sacrament of the altar under the forms of bread and wine; the bread being changed (transsubstantiatio) by divine power into the body, and the wine into the blood, so that to realize the mystery of unity we may receive of Him what He has received of us.”

28. The “New Rome” To Rome, there is only one Rome, the seat of Peter. • “You are Peter, and on this rock (petra) I will build my church … whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven …” (Matt 16:18-19) • Early schisms/heresies in the East were “settled” by Rome. • Primacy is one of power, jurisdiction and authority. The East rejects the idea of personal, universal primacy. • Why would anyone think that Peter’s leadership would be passed down to his successors … and only his successors in Rome? • The Church, by the power of Christ, “binds and loosens.” • Only councils, made up of bishops, have authority over individual bishops. • Primacy has to do with prestige (honor) not authority. • No Roman bishop ever even attended the first general councils of the Church that defined doctrine and produced theological definitions.

29. Today “There was no single event that marked the breakdown. Rather, the two churches slid into and out of schism over a period of several centuries, punctuated with temporary reconciliations.” In 1965 … at a meeting of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople a Catholic - Orthodox Joint Declaration was issued. At the same time, the two lifted the mutual excommunications dating from the 11th century. The act did not result in restoration of communion.

30. Development The West was fast developing a monarchial style of leadership centered in the Pope and the Curia while the East professed episcopal collegiality … conciliarity. Peter was prime … but the fullness of the priesthood is in each and every bishop. • However … within Christianity, the formation of a hierarchical clerical class emerged … stifling diversity. • Authority vs diversity (variety … of thought) • Authority and diversity led to fragmentation (broken into smaller … separate parts) • Fragmentation led to sectarianism (emphasis on differences) • From … Jewish Christianity Hellenistic definitional Roman monarchical