Papal relations with Byzantium

Relations between Byzantium and Rome

Relations were strained due to religious and political differences

Great Schism 1054

The permanent split between the Latin and Greek branches of the Christian Church

Unhealed division

The split between the Latin and Greek Churches was never healed

Michael Cerularius

Patriarch of Constantinople who played a key role in the 1054 schism

Actions of Michael Cerularius

He closed Latin churches and denied the validity of the Roman Mass

Papal response to Cerularius

The pope accused him of being controlled by the Byzantine emperor

Papal embassy to Constantinople

Representatives were sent in 1054 to negotiate

Death of Pope Leo IX

Leo IX died while negotiations were taking place

Deteriorating relations

Relations worsened after failed negotiations

Byzantine German alliance

Byzantines allied with German enemies of the pope

Papacy and the Normans

The papacy allied with the Normans who were enemies of Byzantium

Impact on Crusades

These tensions formed part of the background to the Crusades

Patriarch definition

A senior bishop in some eastern Christian Churches

Authority over patriarchs

Disputes existed over how much authority the pope had over patriarchs

Early Church leadership

Main leaders were the Bishop of Rome and the Bishops of Alexandria and Antioch

Later patriarchs

Bishops of Jerusalem and Constantinople were later recognised as patriarchs

Open rivalry Rome and Constantinople

Competition between Rome and Constantinople increased as Islam spread and marginalised eastern patriarchs

Spread of Islam impact

Islamic expansion reduced the power of the patriarchs of Antioch Alexandria and Jerusalem

Language differences

The western Church used Latin while the eastern Church used Greek

Decline in bilingualism

Over time fewer people understood both Latin and Greek

Territorial disputes

Disagreements over control of the Balkans southern Italy and Sicily

Greek populations in disputed areas

Many inhabitants of disputed territories were Greek

Trinity definition

Belief that God is one but exists as Father Son and Holy Spirit

Western view of the Trinity

The Holy Spirit was believed to proceed from the Father and the Son

Eastern view of the Trinity

The Holy Spirit was believed to proceed only from God the Father

Differences in perception

The western Church was seen as practical and logical while the eastern Church was more spiritual and mystical

Clerical celibacy dispute

The western Church insisted on clerical celibacy while the eastern Church did not

Heresy definition

A belief that goes against the teachings of the established Church

Urban II approach to Byzantium

Pope Urban II sought to improve relations with Constantinople

Urban II weakness

Urban's weak position pushed him to reconcile with the eastern Church

Delegation to Constantinople 1088

Urban II sent a delegation to improve relations

Urban II strategy

He aimed to unify the Church to strengthen his own authority

Alexius I view of Urban

Emperor Alexius saw Urban as a better ally than Clement III

Greek links in southern Italy

Many people in southern Italy had Greek connections and supported improved relations

End of Alexius excommunication 1081

Urban II lifted the excommunication of Emperor Alexius

Defections from Henry IV

Supporters of Henry IV including his son Conrad began to abandon him

Impact on Urban's authority

These defections strengthened Urban II's position

Council of Piacenza 1095

Urban II announced a Church council to be held in March 1095

Significance of Piacenza

It was held in territory previously loyal to Henry IV and Clement III

Purpose of Piacenza council

Originally intended to discuss Church issues such as heresy

Arrival of Byzantine envoys

Envoys from Constantinople arrived during the council

Message from the envoys

They warned that the Byzantine Empire was close to collapse and needed help

Urban II seizes opportunity

Urban saw this as a chance to reunite the Church

Decision to go to Clermont

Urban decided to travel to Clermont following the envoys' arrival

Call to arms background

Events leading up to Clermont helped ensure strong support for Urban's crusading call