The Great Schism

Emperor Constantine wanted Constantinople to the be center of the Christian Church

However, there was a big differences between how The Roman Church and the Byzantine Church practiced Christianity

Council of Nicaea

• 325 C.E. Constantine calls church leaders to Constantinople to make common practices between Rome and the Byzantine Empire
• Wanted to standardize places of worship, heirarchy, scripture, etc.

The Council of Nicaea worked for a short period of time, but the cultural and political differences between the Roman and Byzantine Empires was too great

The Great Schism

In 1054 The Byzantine Empire finally broke with the Roman Church and established the "Orthodox Church"

The Church in Rome became known as the Catholic Church

Differences between two churches

The Catholic church is led by the Pope in Rome (chosen by Cardinals)

The Orthodox Church is led by Patriarchs, chosen by Emperors

The Patriarch of Constantinople is "First Among Equals" in the Orthodox Church