Which evidence best supports the historical claim that the East-West Schism did not begin in 1054 CE, but that mutual excommunication was part of an already growing division?
One of the best pieces of evidence that supports the historical claim that the East-West Schism did not begin in 1054 CE but was rather the result of an already growing division is the history of strained relations between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Latin-speaking Western Church prior to the excommunications.
1. Theological Differences: One significant factor contributing to the East-West Schism was the theological differences between the Eastern and Western Churches. These differences had been at play for several centuries leading up to the excommunications. One critical issue was the filioque controversy, which revolved around the inclusion of the phrase "and the Son" in the Nicene Creed, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son" (in Latin, filioque). The Western Church began incorporating this phrase into the Creed in the 6th century, but the Eastern Church strongly opposed it, leading to intense theological debates, disagreements, and tensions.
2. Cultural and Linguistic Differences: The East-West divide was also fueled by cultural and linguistic distinctions. The Western Church, centered in Rome, used Latin as its primary language, while the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople, used Greek. As a result, linguistic barriers existed, making communication and mutual understanding challenging. This language barrier, coupled with cultural differences between the Latin-speaking West and the Greek-speaking East, exacerbated existing divisions and contributed to escalating conflicts.
3. Political and Ecclesiastical Issues: Political and ecclesiastical factors further strained relations between the two Churches. The rise of Islam in the 7th century led to the loss of significant territories for the Eastern Church, limiting its influence and power. Conversely, Western Europe witnessed the rise of powerful secular rulers who sought to assert their authority over the Church, leading to clashes between secular and religious powers, most notably in the investiture controversy. These political tensions, coupled with rivalries for influence and power over various regions, deepened the divisions between the East and West.
4. Previous Excommunications and Schisms: Before the excommunications of 1054, there were instances of theological disputes and excommunications between the Eastern and Western Churches. In the 9th century, for example, the controversy surrounding the elevation of Photios I to the Patriarchate of Constantinople led to excommunications by both sides. Later reconciliations were fragile and did not resolve the underlying grievances that continued to fester.
These factors collectively suggest that the mutual excommunications of 1054 were not isolated incidents but rather were symptomatic of a broader and long-standing divide between the Eastern and Western Church. The excommunications marked a significant escalation in tensions rather than being a sudden and singular event initiating the East-West Schism.