Photian Schism: What Happened
Between 863 and 867 AD, a bitter dispute broke out between the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople, known as the Photian Schism. It centered on Photios, one of the most learned scholars of the Byzantine Empire, who was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople in 858 after the emperor Michael III removed the previous patriarch, Ignatius. Supporters of Ignatius appealed to Pope Nicholas I, who declared Photios's appointment invalid in 863. Photios responded by condemning the Pope and criticizing Western practices, including the Latin addition of the word filioque, meaning and the Son, to the Nicene Creed. Rivalry over missionary work among the Bulgarians, who were being courted by both churches, made tensions worse. In 867, a council in Constantinople declared the Pope deposed. The dispute was eventually settled, and Photios was later reconciled with Rome, but it revealed deep differences in authority, doctrine and practice between the Eastern and Western churches. These tensions continued to grow over the next two centuries and contributed to the Great Schism of 1054.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Photian Schism?
The Photian Schism was a dispute between the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople from 863 to 867 AD, centered on the patriarch Photios.
Who was Photios?
Photios was one of the most learned scholars of the Byzantine Empire. He was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople in 858 AD after his predecessor Ignatius was removed.
What is the filioque?
The filioque, meaning and the Son, is a phrase added to the Nicene Creed in the West. Photios criticized it, and it remains a key difference between Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
How did the Photian Schism end?
The dispute was eventually settled, and Photios was later reconciled with Rome, but the underlying tensions between the churches remained.
How is the Photian Schism linked to the Great Schism?
The dispute revealed deep differences in authority, doctrine and practice between East and West, which grew over the next two centuries and led to the Great Schism of 1054.
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