The Schism Healed
TimeWatch Editorial
February 14, 2016
In the year 1054, the Eastern Roman Church separated from the West. The Eastern Orthodox Church then severed all ties with Rome and the Roman Catholic Church. One of the major issues that created the split was the authority of the Pope, or The Bishop of Rome. In other words, The Roman Catholic Church is more focused on law, logic and the central authority of the Pope, while the Eastern Orthodox Church is more concerned with maintaining the mystery of faith and governing through consensus. The Orthodox Church believes the laws and teachings of the Church can only be altered through council, while in Roman Catholic tradition the Pope, because he's infallible, can alter or create new church law.
One of the controversial differences that have crept into many of the churches today including our own is the matter of the Godhead. Both Orthodox and Roman Catholic tradition believes a doctrine they call “the Holy Trinity”, which states that God is composed of three parts: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Roman Catholics follow the Nicene Creed, which states that the Holy Spirit comes from the Father "and the Son." The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that because Jesus “was human”, “he” should not be considered the same as God. They also believe that the “Holy Spirit” can only come from the Father.
One other difference is worth considering here. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church also differ in how they view human nature, and the business of original sin. Roman Catholics teach that Adam and Eve eating forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was original sin, which has been passed down to all humans, hence the reason why they are insistent on infant baptism. Roman Catholicism teaches that humanity exists in a state of condemnation, as inheritors of Adam’s sin. According to St. Augustine, a Catholic theologian, each and every human is guilty; the guilt of Adam is passed down generationally through human seed to each human being. For St. Augustine, unbaptized children were undoubtedly doomed to an eternity of suffering.
The Orthodox Church, on the other hand, does not believe in original sin. Instead, they believe the cost of Adam and Eve's disobeying of God in the Garden of Eden is death, which every human inherits. Orthodoxy says that purity is man’s natural state, not depravity; that we are sinful beings not by nature, but by circumstance. The presence of evil is sometimes apparent, and Orthodoxy acknowledges this. However, instead of stating that the wickedness of this life is reflective of man’s inner state, Orthodoxy would affirm that we are subject to a fallen world penetrated by death and evil. Therefore, it is our duty and calling to subjugate evil to the victory of Christ. And because Orthodoxy doesn’t affirm inherent wickedness in man, it is understood that whenever we sin, it is not because we have no choice in the matter, but rather because we have succumbed to the evil that lurks around us.
These are interesting differences that have given birth to parallels in other faiths. But regardless of these long standing differences, on the 30th of November, 2014, these have been set aside in favor of a Declaration of Unity signed by Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Orthodox world.
“Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Orthodox world, on Sunday signed a Joint Declaration reaffirming their desire to overcome the obstacles dividing their two Churches. The two leaders also deplored the terrible situation facing Christians and all who are suffering in the Middle East and called for an appropriate response from the international community.&rdquo Vatican Radio, Pope Francis & Patriarch Bartholomew sign joint declaration, November 30, 2014.
That signature was the beginning of the restoration. Two days ago, however on the island of Cuba, another agreement was signed.
“Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Krill have signed a joint declaration on religious unity after their historic meeting in Havana Friday. The declaration calls for peace in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine and urges Europe to "maintain its faithfulness to its Christian roots." Before flying off to begin a five-day visit to Mexico, Francis said of his meeting with Krill that "we spoke clearly and directly. I greatly appreciate his desire for unity."Pope signs unity declaration with Russian Orthodox Patriarch in Cuba, February 12, 2016
The Schism ended, the Catholic Lutheran declaration signed on the 31st of October 1999, the final battle has truly begun.
Cameron A. Bowen
