Differences and Similarities between the
Christianity of Byzantine Empire and of Western European
Because the Byzantine Empire and the Western Europeans could not agree on certain
practices, a permanent split, or schism, took place in 1064 and created the Roman
Catholic Church (which dominated western Europe) and the Eastern Orthodox Church
(which dominated eastern Europe). Fill in the chart below to show the differences that led
to the Great Schism and the similarities that still existed.
Byzantine Empire
Western Europe
What church dominated this region?
Eastern Orthodox
Roman Catholic
Where is the seat of power?
Constantinople
Rome
Which language is used in the church
service?
Greek
Latin
Who has supreme power?
Emperor
Pope
Who is the church leader?
Patriarch
Pope
What are the beliefs concerning
marriage of clergy?
Could marry, but if they Could not marry
did they could not
become bishops
Spokesperson of equals Superior leader
What are the beliefs concerning the
role of the Pope?
What are the beliefs concerning
icons?
Banned icons, thought
they were not divine
What are the similarities?
Both had impressive
churches and believed
in God
Allowed icons,
thought they were
divine
Both ranked clergy in
order of importance
What events led to the final break or division between the two religions?
- Disagreed on the use of icons
- The Pope crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor over the Byzantine
Empress
- The patriarch was excommunicated by the cardinal and then he returned the favor
(which he did not have the power to do).