What were sources of tension between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 1

There were several important points of controversy between the Eastern Orthodox church and the Roman Catholic church. Namely, they could not decide on the nature of the Holy Spirit, or what sort of authority the pope should have. Additionally, they could not agree on whether to base themselves out of Constantinople or Rome.

Answer 2

The three main sources of tensions are: 1) Papal claims of supremacy, 2) the unauthorized change to the Creed (adding the 'filioque'), and 3) Papal teachings about purgatory and indulgences.

In addition to these, there were a few other lesser reasons, such as the use of unleavened bread, the laity receiving communion as bread only (rather than bread and wine together), the separation of baptism and confirmation, the compulsory celibacy of Catholic clergy, the use of statues, and not allowing divorced people to re-marry. However, most other beliefs about the Christian faith remain the same.

Orthodox priests could marry; Catholic priests could not

Whether or not purgatory existed

Only the catholic church followed the pope

While there were other issues, the primary cause of the split was that the Eastern churches could not accept the pope as the leader of the Church.

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Catholic AnswerRoman is an epithet first commonly used in England after the protestant revolt to describe the Catholic Church. It is never used by the Catholic Church

The sources of tension were many, and were primarily political. The exact reasons latched onto for the actual split were the use of leavened bread in the East and the removal of the Holy Father's name from the diptychs.

from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957

The Schism of the East

the estrangement and severance from the Holy See of what is now called the Orthodox Eastern Church was a gradual process extending over centuries. After a number of minor schisms the first serious, though short, break was that of Photius; from then on tension between East and West increased, and the schism of Cerularius occurred in 1054. From then on the breach gradually widened and has been definitive since 1472. There was a formal union from the 2nd Council of Lyons in 1274 until 1282, and a more promising one after the Council of Florence from 1439 to 1472. After the capture of Constantinople it was in the Turkish interest to reopen and widen the breach with the powerful Roman church; the patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem were dragged into this policy, Russia and the Slav churches stood out the longest of any: none of these churches, except Constantinople itself in 1472, formally and definitely broke away from the unity of the Church. But in the course of centuries the schism has set and crystallized into a definite separation from the Holy See of many million people with a true priesthood and valid sacraments. The origins, causes and development of the schism are matters of much complication, still not fully unraveled.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Separation of the Christian Churches of the East from unity with Rome. The schism was centuries in the making and finally became fixed in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularisu (died 1059), was excommunicated by the papal legates for opposing the use of leavened bread by the Latin Church and removing the Pope's name from the diptychs or list of persons to be prayed for in the Eucharistic liturgy. A temporary reunion with Rome was effected by the Second Council of Lyons (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) but never stabilized

There were many issues that developed between the Roman Church (RCC) and the Eastern Orthodox Church (EOC) over the years, but the one that finally caused the Schism was the EOC refused to accept the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (The Pope.)

The RCC was organized in a 'corporate control' type structure with the Pope being the supreme head.

The EOC, on the other hand was more of a 'collegial structure.'

The pope of the Roman Catholic church was one of four ancient patriarchs (important bishops who were top courts of appeal in ecclesiastical disputes).

The pope of Rome declared himself the highest authority and when the eastern patriarchs remained unmoved, excommunicated the whole rest of the previously united Church for not accepting his claims of authority.

These claims were based Peter's role in the Book of Acts and certain words that Jesus said about Peter in the Gospels.

Answer 3

The Orthodox Church and the Catholics shared a common history for the first 1,000 years until the Great Schism (split) of 1054 AD. Although there are still differences, the main beliefs or similarities which are not a source of tension are: 1) belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Messiah, God and Saviour, 2) belief in the virgin birth of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ, 3) belief in the Blessed Virgin Mary (Theotokos) as the Mother of God, 4) belief in saints, angels and demons, 5) belief in baptism to become a member of the church, 6) belief in regular church attendance, 7) belief in regular Confession and Communion being essential, 8) belief in the seven Ecumenical Councils, 9) the acceptance of holy icons, 10) belief that abortion is against The Bible, 11) belief in male-only clergy (from Apostolic times).