Council of Florence: What Happened
From 1438 to 1439, representatives of the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Catholic Church met in Italy, first at Ferrara and then at Florence, to try to reunite the Eastern and Western churches, which had been divided since the Great Schism. The Byzantine delegation included the emperor John VIII Palaiologos, the Patriarch Joseph II and many leading bishops and scholars, such as Bessarion of Nicaea and Mark of Ephesus. The Byzantines were desperate for Western military help against the Ottoman Turks, who were closing in on Constantinople. After long debates over theology, including the filioque clause and the authority of the Pope, a decree of union was signed in July 1439, with the Orthodox accepting papal supremacy. Only Mark of Ephesus refused to sign. Back in Constantinople, the union was deeply unpopular among ordinary people and clergy, who saw it as a betrayal of the Orthodox faith. It was not officially proclaimed there until 1452. The promised Western help proved limited, and the crusade that followed was crushed by the Ottomans at Varna in 1444.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Council of Florence?
The Council of Florence, held from 1438 to 1439 in Ferrara and Florence, was an attempt to reunite the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
Why did the Byzantines attend the Council of Florence?
The Byzantines were desperate for Western military help against the Ottoman Turks, who were closing in on Constantinople.
Who attended the Council of Florence?
The Byzantine delegation included emperor John VIII Palaiologos, Patriarch Joseph II and scholars such as Bessarion and Mark of Ephesus, alongside Pope Eugene IV.
Who refused to sign the union?
Mark of Ephesus was the only Orthodox bishop who refused to sign the decree of union. He is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church.
Did the union of the churches succeed?
No. The union was deeply unpopular in Constantinople and the promised Western help proved limited. The crusade that followed was crushed at Varna in 1444.
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