<<

The Great

Separation of East and West

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Great Schism

One of greatest calamities of history of . Undermined powers to resist advance of Islam Hastened centralization of Western Church leading to abuses triggering Traditionally tied to of of Constantinople and act in kind 1054 Actually began 9th century

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photian Schism

9th century drama Photian schism - 863-867 Conflict involves Patriarch Photios I and Nickolas I. Both pious men who were acclaimed as and given title Great. Mainly political - Involved primarily ecclesiastical jurisdictional rights of Pope of

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Pope Nickolas I Great

Known as consolidator of papal authority Empire of had fallen, Christian territory threatened both from north & east, on brink of anarchy. Christian morality was questioned; many were worldly and unworthy of office. Tried to regain control and restore Church Rebuilt and endowed several churches in Rome, and constantly sought to encourage religious life. Personal life guided by earnest Christian asceticism and profound piety. Highly esteemed by citizens of Rome

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photios the Great

Parents martyred for defending use of Brilliant and well educated, taught grammar, rhetoric, theology, and philosophy before becoming chief imperial secretary and ambassador to Persia. Patriarch Ignatius resigned. Photios elevated to Patriarch going through all clerical offices in six days. Pope Nicholas felt appointment needed consent of Rome - objected Photius was layperson.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photios Schism

861, Emperor Michael III (842-867) convened a council known as First-Second . Pope sent delegates to investigate election of Photius in relation to canons and demand Illyricum and be given to Rome. Council affirmed Photius as patriarch. Affirmed actions of Seventh condemning iconoclasm.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photios Schism

When delegates returned, Nicholas found demands for territorial rights not considered, convened a council in 863. Deposed and excommunicated Photius on basis that appointment was uncanonical. Recognized Ignatius as legitimate patriarch. Where did Pope Nicholas get for authority to depose Photius?

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Great Schism

Pope Leo I (400 -461) in 5th century first to assert Pope was “spokesman for Peter.” wrote “the entire company of believers looks for its doctrine to this holy Roman Church, which is the head of a churches.”

Pope Gregory I (540 – 604) declared Rome had precedence over Constantinople and every succeeding Council required his approval.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photios Schism

Eastern View: proper role not in Constantinople in place of monarchy in Rome, but Conciliar pentarchy. Justinian first used (in 531) title of "patriarch" to designate exclusively bishops of Rome, Constantinople, , , and . Christendom was to be maintained through cooperation of these five patriarchs. Impossible all five should at same time be in error. Would protect Tradition.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Photios Schism

Patriarchal authority based on thesis that Holy Spirit, having spoken by prophets and then by apostles and then by , had not “instituted the patriarchs as heads of the world.” Their consent and representation necessary for a council to be legitimate. No one could rule over others. Rome had held position as equal but primacy. Conciliar approach shown by Apostles was teaching of tradition. What is stand today by Church?

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Catholic Doctrine of Infallibility Formally defined in 1870, (Pope Pius IX) declared, “We teach and define that it is a dogma Divinely revealed that the Roman pontiff when he speaks ex cathedra,... by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, by the Divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infalibility with which the Divine Redeemer wied that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals, and that therefore such definitions of the Roman pontiff are of themselves and not om the consent of the Church irreformable.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 11th Century Issue adding to Creed “Holy Spirit Proceeds om the Father” phrase “and the Son”

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Filioque

Clash on doctrine about question “Does the Holy Spirit proceed om Son as we as Father?” Church began to teach that it does. Eastern Church taught proceeds only from Father as agreed in Ecumenical Councils. This led t0 formal Schism

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Filioque

Second Ecumenical Council completed Creed begun at First Council and Third forbid any changes to it. Fourth Council in Chalcedon referred to Creed citing its authority. Subsequent Councils affirmed Creed

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Filioque

When Rome fell in 476 chaos ensued. Western Church lost much of its authority. Filioque first used in Toledo Spain in 587 without any authority of five patriarchs, including Rome. Used to combat form of brought by Goths. Use spread to France. Condemned at local council.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Filioque

After long period of social upheaval, Charlemagne restored Western Empire. “Greeks” (not roman) in east became an enemy. Crowned emperor by Pope Leo III.

Council called and Pope Leo III ( 795-816) forbade use of Filioque and ordered use of Nicene-Constantinople Creed from second Ecumenical council - had it engraved on silver tablets in St Peters Basilica.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Filioque

1014 German emperor Henry II visited Rome for coronation and found the Creed did not contain the filioque clause. Pope Benedict VIII then added it - papacy needed German military support In 1054 went further and accused East of for not including filioque. Problems of translations, and political conflicts. Pope felt also had right to make any changes he wanted as “Head” of Church. Sent delegation that excommunicated Eastern Church

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Great Schism

Why is this such a big issue for eastern Church? Problem twofold: (1)Bad Doctrine and (2)Unilateral action by Pope of Rome

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Bad Doctrine Not consistent with Scripture: “But when the Comforter comes, whom I sha send to you om the Father, the spirit of truth who proceeds fom the Father, He wi testify of Me.” John 15:26 Christ does not say Spirit proceeds from Himself. What problem does this create in nature of God? Makes Holy Spirit a subordinate member of . Reduces role of Holy Spirit in Church life. Impact? Unity becomes dependent on an office (pope), spirituality becomes adherence to letter of law , become understood in terms of validity or non-existant (Reformation), and spirit of legalism prevails.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Formal Schism

Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael Cerularius Controversy over jurisdiction of certain churches in southern Italy. 1054, Sent legation to Constantinople demanding compliance to Rome’s wishes. On the 15th of July, they entered the Church of , and, while the were preparing for the service at the third hour of the day on Saturday, they laid a bul of excommunication on the main altar in fu view of the clergy and people present. Going out thence, they shook off even the dust om their feet as a testimony against them, according to the words of the (Mathew 10: 14)), exclaiming: "Let God see and judge." - Arsenius, in "The Chronicle of Church Events,"

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Formal Schism

Orally pronounced: "whoever obstinately begins to oppose the faith of the holy Roman and apostolic throne and its sacrificial offering, let him be anathema, let him be anathema ­ (that is, let him be excommunicated and let him perish at the coming of the Lord) and let him not be considered a Catholic Christian, but a heretical Prozymite (that is, those who do not accept unleavened bread and prefer leavened bread). So be it, so be it, so be it." - Cardinal Humbolt Constantinopolitan council gave papal legates over to anathema. All Eastern churches ceased to commemorate Pope in divine services.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Formal Schism

Partially problem of Latin language - Didn’t distinguish between “proceeding” & “being sent”. Augustine (354 – 430): "God the Father alone is He om whom the Word is born, and om whom the Holy Spirit principay proceeds. I have added the word 'principay', because we find that the Holy Spirit proceeds om the Son also.” Scripture: “But when the Helper comes, whom I sha send to you om the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds om the Father, He wi testify of Me.” (John 15:26) Christ directs or sends it but it proceeds from Father. Greeks were clear that as Creed clearly says, Holy Spirit “proceeds” from the father and is “sent” by the Son.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Islam

Doctrine of Trinity also challenged by Invasion of Islam While Christians paid no heed to Mohammed, they had to defend their view as many Christians were under control of Muslim regimes. Muslims proclaimed there is the “One God and Mohammed as his prophet.” Mohammed took some things from and some things from New and “invented a syncretic religion” was view of Byzantine.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Islam

Islam was seen to contain all the that had been previously debated by Christians. Muslims took the Christian adoration of Christ as proof that Christians taught more than one God. The reply was “we worship on true God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. The Trinity is united in causality and in essence and in spiration.” Koran says Christ is the Logos and Spirit. Christians asked this question, “do you mean that before he created the Logos and the Spirit, God did not have either Spirit or Logos?

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Muslims could not understand how God could have a Son without a woman. Led to distorted view of . Say, “Christians worship three person, the Father and the Mother and the Son.” Title Theotokos was proof of this belief Also attacked Christian veneration of icons - supported iconoclasts

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Also conflict relating to Christian teaching about free will versus Islam view of Allah willing all. Muslims saw Christians teaching “God does whatever he wishes, and he is cause of everything, both good and evil.” Implication since some were not saved God either did not want them to be saved or was not able to. How do Christians defend this?

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Muslims accused Christians of distorting the Scripture and deleting prophecies about Mohammed such as Christ saying, “I sha send you a prophet caed Mohammed.” Also saw a different version of prophecy of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. “And he saw two riders, a rider on an ass and a rider on a camel.” First was Christ and the second Mohammed.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Christians saw the Koran as proof that Mohammed had never read Scripture. Claimed to accept it but in fact denied them. They replaced the Holy Spirit with a person they called a prophet which was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Was Mohammed a prophet? What is a prophet?

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

For Christians were two marks of a prophet. (1) he could foretell the future (2) he could perform miracles In addition he lived a holy life and distinguished himself with divine knowledge. Mohammed did neither - in Christian eyes could not be a prophet.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Muslims called Christ a prophet What is response to this? Christ came to fulfill the the prophecy of Moses and the other prophets and for this reason was end of prophecy. John Baptist was the last of the Prophets. Christ himself indicated this when he said “the law and the prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached.” (Luke 16:16)

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Invasion of Islam

Did not deny reality of Christ’s existence Denied He was crucified. Say someone else was crucified in his stead. Basically in error about everything that pertains to Christ. Did not see that only as perfect man and perfect God could he be object of faith. Byzantium was defensive for years because of Muslim occupation. Helped them remain conservative in issues of doctrine.

Wednesday, November 30, 11

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Real Schism

Formal event of Schism 1054

Fourth Crusade 1204

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Estrangement to Schism Crusades - “Frank Invasions”

First Crusade great but bloody success militarily Antioch 1098: Jerusalem 1099 Latin Patriarchs set up. This left two Patriarchs in Jerusalem and Antioch. Fourth Crusade 1204. Crusaders originally bound for turned aside, sacked Constantinople; Systematic acts of sacrilege.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 4th Crusade embossed the split in hearts of the people.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 End of

Fall of Constantinople 1453 - all four Orthodox Patriarchs now under Muslim rule Occurred after siege by Ottomans Sultan Mehmed II vs. Constantine XI. Ended 1500 yr old Roman Empire Constantinople became Ottoman capital. Hagia Sophia converted into mosque Ottoman political system survived until 1922 with establishment of Republic of Turkey

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Further Flowering

Orthodoxy transplanted to Slavic nations 9th Century Long period of oppression under Ottomans Hesychast Controversy - 14th cen. Clarity of doctrine of Deification

Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022) Saint (1296-1359)

Wednesday, November 30, 11

Hesychasm (Greek: ἡσυχασµός, hesychasmos, from ἡσυχία, hesychia, "stillness, rest, quiet, silence") Based on Christ's injunction “...you sha not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men... But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret wi reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6) Process of retiring inward (heart) by detaching from senses, to achieve spiritual knowledge of God (theoria).

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychasm

Orthodoxy never knew tension between ascetic and sacramental spirituality. Hesychasm provides foundation for vision of God - highest order of contemplation (Theoria) Prayer based on silence manifests glory of God. Basis for “” Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychasm

Articulated by Simon the “New Theologian” - 11th century Necessary to “believe Christ” personally, not only to “believe in Christ” dogmatically. Last leads to the first. Taught Christ’s union with Father is similar to one we have with Christ.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification - Theosis

I know that the Immovable comes down; I know that the Invisible appears to me; I know that He who is outside the whole creation Takes me within Himself and hides me in His arms, and then I find myself outside the whole world. I, a ail, sma mortal in the world, behold the Creator of the world, a of Him, within myself; and I know that I sha not die, for I am within the Life, I have the whole of Life springing up as a fountain within me. He is in my heart, He is in heaven: both there and here He shows himself to me with equal glory.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification - Theosis

What Beatitudes promised - whoever was “pure in heart” would see God. “Let us endeavor to attain to purity of heart, which comes om paying heed to our ways and om constant confession of secret thoughts of the soul. For if we, moved by a penitent heart, constantly and daily confess these, it produces in us repentance for what we have done or even thought.”

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

14th Century Controversy which clarified Orthodox deification versus the rational and legalistic approach found in the West. Orthodox see foundation is Revelation of God and His uncreated energies, not truths derived via rational process. Believe we can have union with God, a direct experience of Him, which is highest form of knowledge. 14th century issue brought to head by Saint Gregory Palamas and Barlaam of Calabria - vs Philosopher Results of this debate affirmed as true teachings of Orthodox Church by Eastern Council.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Saint Gregory Palamas (1296–1359) Monk from Mt Athos - bishop of Thessaloniki. Holy man who experienced uncreated light of God and guided others who knew reality of such an vision. Asserted that prophets had greater knowledge of God, because they had actually seen or heard God himself. All people are able to attain union with God and know Him though direct experience of His uncreated Light. This view challenged by Barlaam a southern Italian philosopher of Calabria

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Barlaam taught intellectual knowledge is a gift of God, and indeed of equal or higher value than knowledge of Apostles and the Prophets. Knowledge of God depends on one’s understanding, not on vision of God. Acquire knowledge of God through philosophy Prophets and apostles who saw uncreated light, below philosophers. Uncreated light is sensory, created, and “inferior to our understanding”.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

In defense, St. Gregory refers to passages of Apostle Paul, mainly 1 Corinthians, Christ took unlettered men "in order to shame the outwardly wise”, God made foolish the wisdom of the world, that "the world through its wisdom did not know God” and "through the foolishness of what was preached He was pleased to save those who believe”.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Emphasized a distinction between knowing God in his essence (in Greek, ουσία) and knowing God in his energies (in Greek, ενέργειαι) impossible to know God in his essence possible to know God in his energies Consistent with Biblical sources and Church Fathers such as Basil the Great and

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

At heart of Gregory’s teachings is his view of Holy Spirit Taught that procession of Holy Spirit from the Father is a diferent thing from His being sent by the Son. Thus, while we do not know the essence of the Holy Spirit, we do know His energy. Barlaam maintained that we could not know what the Holy Spirit is, especially His procession and His being sent by the Son. Palamas taught All spiritual life is a result and fruit of the uncreated energy of the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Gregory knew man could know God directly. Remember the Transfiguration of Christ? Asserted that when the Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor, that they were in fact seeing the uncreated light of God; Possible for others to be granted to see that same uncreated light of God with the help of repentance, spiritual discipline and contemplative prayer, although not in any automatic or mechanistic fashion.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Saint Gregory Palamas presented Tradition of Church: Uncreated light is vision of God, Not symbolic vision, Not sensory and created, Not inferior to understanding, Deification - Theosis - Union Through purification of heart man deemed worthy of seeing God. Not abstract state, but true union of man with God.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Why and how does one see uncreated light? Because he is united with God. Sees it with inner eyes, and also with bodily eyes, which have been altered by God’s action. Theoria (vision of God) is union with God –– knowledge of God above human knowledge and senses.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Saint Gregory Palamas writes, “One who has cleared his soul of a connection with things of this world, who has detached himself om everything by keeping the commandments and by the dispassion that this brings, and who has passed beyond a cognitive activity through continuous, sincere and immaterial prayer, and who has been abundantly iluminated by the inaccessible light in an inconceivable union, he alone, becoming light, contemplating by the light and beholding the light, in the vision and enjoyment of this light recognizes truly that God is transcendently radiant and beyond comprehension;

Wednesday, November 30, 11 he glorifies God not only beyond his nous’s human power of understanding, for many created things are beyond that, but even beyond that marvelous union which is the only means by which the nous is united with what is beyond inteigible things, “imitating divinely the supra-celestial minds” (2,3,57).

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification

How does one attain this vision? Cut off every connection between soul and what is below, Detach from everything by keeping Christ’s commandments and through dispassion which comes from that, Transcend all cognitive activity “through continuous and sincere and immaterial prayer”.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification

Deifying gift of Holy Spirit, grace, divine energia, transforms into divine light those who have attained it, “but also grants them a knowledge and a life appropriate to God” (3,1,35;CWS p.89). Such a person possesses knowledge of God.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification

The vision of uncreated light and knowledge not unfolding of rational power, not perfection of rational nature, as Barlaam asserted, but to reason. Knowledge is offered by God to pure in heart. Anyone who asserts deifying gift as a development of rational nature puts himself in opposition to Gospel. “deified saints transcend nature”, God gave them power to become “children of God.” (3,1,30;CWS p.85). Deification is goal of spiritual life.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification

Is a process, theoria has a beginning, things that follow differ in degrees of darkness or clarity, but there is never an end, Its progress is infinite. Illumination is one thing and continuous vision of light is another, still another is vision of things in light where even things far off are accessible to eyes, and future is shown as already existing (2,3,35;CWS p.65). There are degrees of theoria, and with it, degrees of knowledge. All come about through .

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Deification

Purification creates necessary preconditions. The ascetic method of the Church leads us. Does not aim to make person `nice and good’, but to heal perfectly and to achieve communion with God. As long as a man is far from communion and union with God, has not yet attained his . Spiritually trained person who sees uncreated light is said by the Fathers, to be “deified”. Used by St. Dionysios the Areopagite, St. John of Damascus, and repeatedly, as well as St. Gregory Palamas (3,1,30;CWS p.85f).

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Hesychast Controversy

Gregory’s arguments defeated those of Barlaam who said object of contemplation only symbol or creature. Palamas’ works are grand synthesis of all Orthodox theology. Series of six patriarchal councils held in Constantinople from June 1341, to May 1351. Affirmed Palamas’ view. Have ecumenical status among Orthodox Christians.

Wednesday, November 30, 11 Assignment

Read handout on Jesus Prayer & Teaching of Gregory Palamas on Man Examine your prayer life, your use of ascetic practices, and participation in sacraments to purify your heart. Next time: Reformation

Wednesday, November 30, 11