Posted on 07/31/2018 11:54:50 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
In the ancient world, four major cities became centers of Christianity: Rome, Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem. Though Rome was initially most prominent, Constantinople, now Istanbul, Turkey, rose in stature after it was named the capital of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine in 330.
For almost a thousand years the Patriarch of Constantinople presided over the church in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and its missionary activity brought the Christian faith in its Byzantine form to many people north of the imperial border, said Paulist Father Ronald Roberson in his book The Eastern Christian Churches: A Brief Survey.
However, over the years a schism slowly developed between Rome and Constantinople. In 1054, an attempt at reconciliation failed when Patriarch Michael Cerularius and Cardinal Humbert, the papal representative, mutually excommunicated each other. Roberson credits the sacking of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade as the final nail in the coffin between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
There were two attempts at formal reconciliation, the Second Council of Lyons in 1274 and the Council of Florence-Ferrara in 1438-9, but they were ultimately rejected by the general Orthodox population. After the Reformation and the Council of Trent, there was a greater emphasis on the primacy of Rome. Within this context, it became possible to speak of reconciliation with the Orthodox only as a return to Roman obedience."
Though the specifics for each church vary, in general, large groups of Orthodox Christians rejoined the Catholic Church but were able to keep their own distinct liturgy, hierarchy and traditions, creating churches within the church. Technically they are called churches sui iuris, that is, churches in their own right.
This new approach was called uniatism. It was the dominant outlook when significant concrete unions with sections of some Orthodox churches began..."
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.com ...
Opposite of a Western Left Church........................
Four main centers of Christianity? Any article with a list that omits Alexandria is suspect.
I was thinking the same thing.
My thought exactly. Why would he forget Alexandria?
+100 on your question.
Eastern Rite: Byzantine Catholic Churches with background in Orthodoxy. I am a member of a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Parish in Denver, Colorado. Stop by and spend a morning with us! Kid-friendly!
Surprised since St. Mark found a Christian community which became the Coptic Rite.
Gold star for you! Most U.S. Catholics know nothing or next to nothing about the Eastern Churches in communion with the See of Rome. And I must sheepishly admit to being one of the ignorant!
Thank-you!
Thanks to each of you for your kind responses to my brief, but immediate, observation. FReepers continue to exhibit the breadth and depth of knowledge that makes this site an oasis on the internet, (Now that the acrimony that emerged during the primary election of 2016 is finally settling out - in my opinion).
Oldplayer
Cushing, Oklahoma
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.