every human being matters

Caught in the middle. Divisions. Fragments of truths. Unresolved differences. Relationships torn apart.

All the dialog in the world will not resolve the major pain caused from the past. No amount of sorrow from either party – no reasoned arguments or justifications will fix the great chasm that has formed in the minds of the opposing viewpoints.

There is no human resolution that can be dictated or force by any leadership that can change all the unwitting misunderstandings that resulted from mistakes or misinformation from others.

Of what do I speak? Conflicts in the national political sphere? Poor relationships within a workplace setting or bad leadership by unfit managers?

Or something much greater – much deeper?

Over 2000 years ago in a land far away…

A conflict was created. Human frailty and lust for power began to show cracks in the very heart of a newly formed religious experience. While the foundation remained solid, leaders within this infant religion began to become restless.

The debate among the apostles apparently was not settled by Christ’s own rebuke:

Mark 10: 35-45

Greatness Is Serving

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

And again:

Luke 22: 24-27

The Disciples Argue About Greatness

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

In the beginning…

The early church was ruled by leaders established in originally five regions around the Middle East and in the seat of the Roman Empire in Rome. These were founded by the early Apostles during their initial “mission trip” dictated by Christ. The locations were:

1. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, founded by the Apostle James (Pentecost to 62 AD)
2. The Patriarchate of Rome, founded by the Apostle Peter (32–67 AD)
3. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, founded by the Apostle Andrew (38–54 AD) 
4. The Patriarchate of Alexandria, founded by the Apostle Mark (42–68 AD)
5. The Patriarchate of Antioch, founded by the Apostle Peter (45 – 53 AD)

Each region was led by a single Patriarch, or ruling Archbishop.

When controversies or major concerns arose, these 5 Patriarchs would gather in Ecumenical Councils (a universal gathering pertaining to the whole of Christendom by representation of the leaders). The church was conciliar in nature, not hierarchical in structure.

The customs and practices of each region were reflected in the nuances of worship, but the structure and uniformity of beliefs remained in tact among all the differing regions. The Roman Patriarchate was considered “First among Equals”, a position of honor owing to Rome’s status as the empire’s capital and Peter’s martyrdom there. But Constantinople also held a primary position among the Patriarchates of the East because the Church was founded in the ancient city of Byzantium by Saint Andrew, the “First-called among the Apostles”.

Not all councils were called or conducted by a single Patriarch (such as the First Council of Nicea, Constantinople II, Nicea II where Papal legates were sent, but the Patriarch of Rome was not in attendance). Often they were called by a political ruler, such as Constantine, who saw concerning problems among the Christians in their realm.

Nevertheless, the fight for authority was begun with the Apostles…

And it did not end with their bickering.

As a result, the entire world of Christendom has been rocked and plagued by those who sought leadership beyond their jurisdiction. And the annuls of history, redesigned and reinterpreted by the victor, reflects this clearly in the various factions of the Christian domain.

The little pieces of factual evidence is often twisted and misshapen to uphold a narrative. The people beneath the powerful are often caught in the middle of misinformation and historical evidence, helpless to make any difference in the outcome.

So they strive to live in harmony and ignore the fallout as best they can.

But it wasn’t to remain so for long…

This created a split between the Northern kingdom of Rome and the Southern kingdom of the Middle East that still reverberates with forgotten and unforgotten pieces of history clinging to its tail. It created further splits as the Northern “Patriarchate of the West” tried to assume control over its people, giving the power to its ruling class of clerics.

But the people rebelled. And protested the inequality that once stood in the domain of Christianity. Priest that was equal to laity except in spiritual authority now became judge and jury of their sins. No longer representing the people of the Church in confession, he became Alter Christos – he who sat in place of Christ himself with full authority to loose or bind the sins of their followers, condemning or prohibiting the salve of healing for those in need of it most.

Further, the hypocrisy of those in the very heart of Rome sold “Indulgences”, total forgiveness of sins, to the wealthy, ignoring the immediate need of the free gift of salvation Christ Himself afforded to all.

These and many other outward expressions began to boil beneath the surface of those who could do nothing about any of this abuse of power.

Until 1517 when one of their own in that hierarchical position nailed his 97 Theses to the door of his church. And others, waiting in the wings for one leader to break from the oppression, began to exert their own form of authority as well.

The flood of Protestantism broke forward rebelling against the authoritarian dictatorship of a single ruler.

But it didn’t stop the problem…

By the time Vatican I (1869 to 1870) was held, the idea that the Pope of Rome was the only and supreme leader of all of the Christian world had become solidified. At Vatican II (1962 to 1965), the concept of Papal Supremacy was made plain.

But even more astounding was the declaration that, additionally, the leader was also considered “Infallible”.

Even though there are great debates among the “Apologists” of the day, there is no clear definition of what the phrase, “but only if said in the authority of the Chair of Peter”, actually means. Every document, encyclical, written by popes since that time (and retroactively) that support particular views are taken as equal to the Gospels.

And the laity are caught between being forced to accept these views dogmatically, or be at risk of losing their status as a member of the Church – or at worse, lose their salvation.

But is that the way it is supposed to be?

If we look at political leaders today and in the historical past, isn’t that what always happened? When good counsel was replaced by a single leader, even in the time of the Old Testament nation of Israel, it always ended in disaster. That single leader of the time would swing the pendulum in a good way, or the reverse depending on his temperament or desire for power.

So, too, do we see the same happening in the Church of Rome.

There are no prophesies in the rest of Christendom in the East which proclaim dire warnings of impending doom if they do not change their ways. There are no declarations that state that the leader of that Patriarchate will be forced to leave his jurisdiction, stepping over the bodies of those he betrayed in his flight.

Yet, those exist and have increased since the time of Fatima, Portugal sightings of Mary and beyond. And all are shunted by the authorities in the Roman Church to be referring to the world, not to itself.

That’s not to say that there are no problems or historical mistakes on the side of the East…

There are plenty. And they will continue as long as man is in leadership.

But the difference is that in the East, the errors are confined to smaller regions. Unlike the West, all the Eastern Patriarchates can either follow or ignore the mistakes of their brothers. They can gather to reprimand the mistakes of the one who is straying.

Make no mistake. Because one Patriarch says they agree with something egregious does not follow that the entire Eastern world will likewise pursue the same direction.

But the ignorance on both sides comes down to this…

Unless the one who criticizes the other side actually takes the time to immerse themselves into that culture, there is no room for judgement of the other side.

I have heard one too many times the insistence of talking heads on both sides state outright that their opponent is totally wrong. They cite Patristics and documents, historical and biblical evidence to support their side.

But they fail to take into account not only context, but understanding the cultural and mindset differences involved. One cannot judge the way a nation rules their people or the people live their lives in a completely unfamiliar culture than the one you grew up in. Not without fully understanding their way of thinking.

So, too, does this relate to how we treat each other in this world of division between Christian expressions.

Instead of trying to convince others that your side is right, maybe it’s time to listen to those who live in that world of which your are ignorant. Then we can change this narrative and begin to actually heal the rift that has torn apart the unity of the Christian kingdom.

Reference Sources:

1. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/History/World_History/Western_Civilization_-_A_Concise_History_I_(Brooks)/11%3A_The_Late_Empire_and_Christianity/11.07%3A_Early_Christian_Organization
2. https://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/history_timothy_ware_1.htm
3. https://scientiaeducare.com/questions-with-answers-on-the-great-schism-division-in-the-christian-church/
4. https://scientiaeducare.com/questions-with-answers-on-the-great-schism-division-in-the-christian-church/
5. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-herkimer-westerncivilization/chapter/the-development-of-papal-supremacy/
6. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/boniface-viii-issues-bull-unam-sanctam
7. https://chronicatemporum.blogspot.com/2024/11/dictatus-papae-papal-proclamation-that.html
8. https://dcyf.worldpossible.org/rachel/modules/en-boundless-static/www.boundless.com/world-history/textbooks/boundless-world-history-i-ancient-civilizations-enlightenment-textbook/the-middle-ages-in-europe-9/the-catholic-church-969/the-development-of-papal-supremacy-971-17578/index.html