I've realized that eastern orthodox people are under the impression that the roman church separated from them

Question

why do they think this?
If they were under the rule of the bishop of rome who was the supreme leader and vicar of Christ on earth wouldn't that make them the ones who split from the church rather then the western church splitting from them?

Actually they were under the rule of the bishop of rome.

Answer 1

they were never under the bishop or Rome. why don't you do a little reading before asking a question that makes you look stupid. you can find the Great Schism at wikipedia; I suggest you read it. The five churches of the Pentarchy were equal; it wasn't until after several generations had died that Rome CLAIMED a superiority it had no right to claim over the other churches and went its own way.

Answer 2

In 1054 AD, The Byzantine Empire, the legitimate heir to the Roman Empire, was in power.

In 1054 AD, the Holy Roman Empire, an artificial construct created by Charlemagne and the pope who crowned him Emperor in 800 AD, was sending Crusaders into the Middle East.

150 years after the Great Schism, the Catholic Crusaders sacked Constantinople. The Pope probably had a good laugh.

In the 803 years since, Pope John Paul II has apologized for the Crusades even though the Greeks did not take him seriously. The Pope has become infallible and expects the Eastern Orthodox to crawl on their hands and knees back to Rome, which isn't going to happen anytime soon.

Today, Pope Benedict XVI and Patriarch Bartholomew I celebrate the Divine Liturgy together.

The Lord told his disciples that the greater shall serve the lesser and the lesser shall serve the greater. The Pope does not fit that description even as he symbolically washes the feet of 12 Cardinals on Holy Thursday. Until the Pope rectifies all the errors in the 950 years since the Great Schism, there will be no reunification with the Eastern Orthodox. Perhaps the Pope will consider reunification when the He becomes afraid of watered down Protestantism and Moral Relativism.

Answer 3

Orthodox still remains very traditional. The Roman Catholic church on many of the traditions has diminished how they celebrate. Take Lent we are observing right now. Ask a Catholic what they have given up and they will usually say 1 thing. Some may observe the whole fast. They also observe a fast on Fridays only and only from meat. Orthodox still fast both Wed and Fri. And of course through the 40 days of Lent. The religious fast is abstaining from all animal products (meat, eggs, milk, etc), alcohol, olive oil, fish with backbones (why I dont know that).

Answer 4

They are right and so are we. The schism that occurred in 1054 is not the equivalent of the Reformation. The Orthodox Church has equal claim with us as the original Church founded by Christ and the Apostles. It would be nice to see us reconciled. If you have a chance to, attend an Orthodox Mass and you will see what I mean. Peace be with you little brother.

Answer 5

It all happened a million years ago. Who cares who split off from who. The fact remains they are split. Does it matter who was first? Even if they were in complete agreement about who did what, do you think they'd be any more likely to merge back together after all this time and animosity?

Answer 6

They separated over 1000 years ago.

Interesting how the Orthodox church has patriarchs, priests, monks, and nuns like Catholicism does.

Answer 7

Crazy, isn't it? It amazes me the mental gymnastics people will undertake to avoid the obvious truth that Jesus left Peter in charge (Matthew 16:17-19; John 21:15-17).

"Where Peter is, there is the Church." -- St. Ambrose of Milan

Answer 8

Huh? This statement doesn't line up with history.