East-West Schism

This episode examines the East-West Schism of 1054, the event that permanently divided Christianity into the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. It delves into the core causes of the split-disputes over papal authority, the role of Constantinople, and theological conflicts such as the Filioque clause and differing views on original sin and the nature of God. The episode traces the growing tensions through church councils, rival claims of supremacy, and the mutual excommunications of 1054, followed by later rifts like the Fourth Crusade and failed reconciliation attempts. Despite modern ecumenical dialogue, this episode shows how enduring disagreements over papal primacy and theology continue to keep the two churches apart.