Download The Great Schism


The student will
demonstrate knowledge
of the Byzantine Empire
and Russia from about
300 to 1000 C.E. by:

Explaining disputes that led
to the split between the
Roman Catholic Church and
the Greek Orthodox Church

Assessing the impact of
Byzantine influence and
trade on Russia and Eastern
Europe

Essential Questions

What factors produced the
division within the Christian
church?

Why did the Byzantine
Empire have so much
influence on religion,
culture, and trade in Russia
and Eastern Europe?

Eastern Christianity built on
works of early fathers

Saint Basil


The Great Schism

Divide continues to grow

1054 C.E. the Pope and
patriarch excommunicated
each other over a dispute in
religious doctrin

Led to permanent split or
schism in church
Wrote rules for monks
Saint John Chrysostom

Patriarch of East

Patriarchs had to bow to emperor

Controversy in 8th century


Emperor Leo III banned use of icons

Called it idol worship

Army and iconoclasts started
destroying icons

Pope excommunicated Byzantine
Emperor

Not until 843 C.E. are icons
restored to Eastern churches
Western Church
Roman Catholic
Eastern Church
Eastern Orthodox
Centered in Rome
Pope has authority over Bishops
Centered in Constantinople
Patriarch and other bishops share
authority
Farther away from the seat of
power once Constantinople
became capital
Close to the seat of power once
Constantinople became the
capital
Latin is spoken in the Liturgy
(church services)
Greek is spoken in the liturgy
(church services)
Pope has authority over Kings
and emperors
Emperor has authority over
Patriarch and bishops
Priests can’t marry
Divorce is not permitted
Priests can marry
Divorce is allowed under
certain conditions

Trade routes allowed for
increased contact



Black Sea
Baltic Sea
Slavs began trading with
Constantinople in 9th
century

Cultural diffusion occurred
and Russian culture grew
out of blending of Slavic and
Greek traditions

Missionaries spread religion
eastward

Helped spread Orthodox
Christianity to Eastern Europe and
Russia

Rise of Russia

Group called the Rus organized in
800s C.E.


Most likely Vikings
Nearby rivers allow trade


Two most successful
missionaries

Saint Methodius and Saint Cyril



Invented alphabet for Slavic
language
Could read bible in own tongues
Called Cyrillic alphabet

Helped spread religion further

Dneiper, Don, and Volga
City of Kiev becomes center of Rus

Kiev becomes Orthodox

Princess Olga visits
Constantinople in 957
C.E.


Converted to Christianity
Her grandson Vladmir


Sent out teams to observe
three major religions:
Christianity, Islam, and
Judaism
Report on Constantinople
convinced Vladmir to convert
to Eastern Orthodoxy 988
A.D.


Married a Byzantine Princess
Kiev became seat of an
Orthodox Bishop

Vladmir leads the way



Vladmir and his son
expanded Kiev and
consolidated power
Marriages helped form
trading alliances with
Western Europe
Decline began when
empire was divided

Mongol rule in Russia






Mongol Invasions

Invaded in 1200s

Attacked and demolished
Kiev
After fall of Kiev Mongols
ruled all of Southern Russia
Called the “Khanate of the
Golden Horde”
Let Russians retain usual
customs and tolerated
religion
Established city of Moscow
Demanded only obedience
and tributes

Eventually led to overthrow
by “Russians”
Influences
Church architecture and religious art
Adoption of Greek alphabet to the Slavic languages
by St. Cyril
Trade routes between the Black Sea and Baltic Sea
Adoption of Orthodox Christianity