What caused a division between Latin-speaking Christians and Greek speaking Christians?

Answer 1

I am not sure, but I think it was a difference of opinion about the 'infallibility of the Pope'. The Catholic world (Latin Christians) believe that Christ gave to the head of the Christian church , who was Saint Peter, in the very beginning, a special power which would ensure that he never ever taught wrong or evil Christian beliefs. The Greek Orthodox Christians would not agree that this safety power was only meant to be for 1 man (The Pope) However, the Catholic clergy agree that the Greek Orthodox followers are still good teachers and followers of Christianity. They communicate with each other regularly. The biblical explanation of the Pope's authority to never teach false values, is based upon the following words of Christ when he was alive. Christ said: 'I give to you, Peter, the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth, I will bind in heaven' which means that Peter and Christ will always be in agreement about matters of Christian goodness. Obviously he was speaking metaphorically. He did not actually give Peter a great big key . He was simply saying 'Don't be worried that I am not here with you every day, but I will be guiding you in my spiritual Godlike way forever'. So when St Peter died, God,s power was passed on to a new head of Christianity, with God's blessing and authority for ever. Popes are not necessarily perfectly good men themselves BUT they have never taught the Christian followers anything which is evil. They have always taught Christian truth. Sadly, some Popes in days gone by, have been bad men and done bad things. Hence the common phrase. Don't do what I do. Do what I teach. Interesting food for thought eh ?

Answer 2

The primary theological reason was that the Roman church added the words "and the son" (ie the "filioque" clause) to the Nicene creed. Also, the Greek Church did not accept the extent to which the pope claimed power over the whole Church. There were really many subtle reasons from a theological perspective.

A political reason was that Latin speaking Christians sacked Constantinople on their way to the Holy Land and desecrated the Churches of Greek Christians. This lead to a lot of hatred and hostility.