One item that has intrigued me as a historian over the years is the Great Schism of 1054 AD that resulted in the split between the church of the East from the Church of the West. As a result we see the formal formation of the Roman Catholic Church with its leadership of a pope and the Greek Orthodox Church with its leadership of a Patriarch.
In this lesson today I want to examine the efforts of the church to reunite and come back together after about two hundred years after their divide. So join me on this short journey into what Church History calls the Second Council of Lyons. I hope you will enjoy it enough to take my larger and more in-depth course on the Great Schism at “https://theologystream.com
In the picturesque city of Lyon, France, in the year 1274, a momentous event unfolded that aimed to heal a centuries-old wound in Christendom. The Second Council of Lyon, the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convened under the auspices of Pope Gregory X, with a noble mission at its core: to mend the longstanding divide between the Eastern and Western Churches, a schism that had festered since the momentous events of 1054. The Great Schism of 1054, a watershed moment in Christian history, marked the formal rupture between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Rooted in theological disagreements, cultural differences, and political tensions, the schism deepened over the centuries, leading to estrangement and hostility between East and West. By the thirteenth century, efforts to repair this breach had become increasingly urgent, setting the stage for the Second Council of Lyon. Led by Pope Gregory X, the council brought together over 300 bishops, 60 abbots, and a multitude of dignitaries from across Europe and beyond.
Among them stood towering figures like Thomas Aquinas and James I of Aragon, their presence underscoring the significance of the gathering. The council’s agenda was weighty, addressing pressing concerns of the era. Discussions ranged from the reconquest of the Holy Land to the pursuit of unity between the Churches of the East and West. Over the course of six sessions spanning from May to July, the council meticulously deliberated these matters, culminating in the promulgation of 31 constitutions by its conclusion.
A pivotal moment came with the council’s approval of the decree Zelus fidei, signaling a breakthrough on the divisive issue of the Filioque clause. This marked a significant step towards reconciliation, as East and West found common ground amidst centuries of theological discord. Amidst the solemnity of Mass and the recitation of the Creed, unity seemed within reach. Yet, the path to lasting reconciliation proved elusive. Political tensions and entrenched opposition dashed hopes for a seamless union, leaving the Great Schism unresolved.
The legacy of the Second Council of Lyon endures as a testament to the enduring quest for unity in faith. Though its aspirations were not fully realized, its significance reverberates through the corridors of time, reminding us of the enduring human desire to bridge divides and foster harmony in a fractured world.
