Question

In a few words, what was the argument between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. What were its origins and how was it resolved?

Answer 1

The split was centuries in the making. Several cities claimed a church set up by one of the apostles. Alexandria and Antioch, were early leading centers. by the end of the 300s several others lay claim to primacy. As the Roman Empire fell and was split in two, Constitine saw opportunity to use the church to political advantage. His conversion to Christianity and the Council of Nicea and efforts to claim primacy for the bishop of Constantiople all helped him solidify power in the East.
Church leaders in Rome sought to counter claims from the east and argued that Rome's bishop had more authority. Neither of these cities figured prominently in the early Church.
Muslims took over cities like Alexandria and Antioch, so Rome and Constantinople became the heavy weights.
The east-west feud continued as a political battle cloaked by religion.
In 1054, the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated each other. Most historians mark that date as the beginning of the schism.
Both sides cited theological differences and made all sorts of claims about authority and heresy .
In fact, the whole thing was about power. Each side tried to justify its own grab to be the one greatest church authority.