What major difference between the Eastern and Western churches led to their schism?

Answer 1

The major difference between the Eastern and Western churches that led to their schism was the issue of the primacy and authority of the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope.

In the early centuries of Christianity, the Christian Church was relatively unified, with the Bishop of Rome being seen as the first among equals, but not having absolute authority over all bishops. However, over time, the Bishop of Rome came to be seen as the Supreme Pontiff, with universal jurisdiction over all Christians and ultimate authority in matters of faith and doctrine.

This view was not fully accepted by the Eastern churches, who believed in a more decentralized model of authority, with individual bishops having more autonomy and independence. The Eastern churches recognized the Bishop of Rome as an important figure in the Church, but they did not accept his claim to universal jurisdiction.

Further tensions were exacerbated by issues such as the filioque clause, which was added to the Nicene Creed by the Western church without the approval of the Eastern church. The filioque clause stated that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son, whereas the Eastern church believed the Holy Spirit only proceeded from the Father.

These and other theological, cultural, and political differences gradually led to a growing divide between the Eastern and Western churches. The final breaking point came in 1054 when the Pope of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated each other, marking the formal split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.