Council of Florence

Definition

The Council of Florence was an ecumenical council held between 1431 and 1445, primarily aimed at reconciling the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was significant for addressing the issues that led to the East-West Schism, including theological disagreements and the question of papal authority, and it attempted to achieve unity between the two churches through a series of discussions and decrees.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Council of Florence was convened by Pope Eugene IV and included representatives from both the Roman Catholic Church and various Eastern Orthodox churches.
2. One of the key outcomes of the council was the declaration that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, a major theological point of contention during the East-West Schism.
3. Despite attempts to unify the churches, many Eastern Orthodox leaders rejected the decisions made at Florence, leading to continued divisions.
4. The council faced significant challenges, including political instability in Constantinople and resistance from various Eastern Orthodox factions.
5. The efforts at reconciliation were ultimately unsuccessful, as subsequent events, such as the fall of Constantinople in 1453, further solidified the separation between the two churches.

Review Questions

• What were some of the key theological issues addressed at the Council of Florence that related to the East-West Schism?
  • At the Council of Florence, key theological issues included debates over the nature of the Holy Spirit, with a significant declaration that He proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This was a pivotal point of disagreement during the East-West Schism. Additionally, discussions focused on papal authority, which was particularly contentious for Eastern Orthodox representatives who resisted acknowledging papal supremacy.
• How did political factors influence the outcomes of the Council of Florence and its attempts to reconcile the two churches?
  • Political factors played a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of the Council of Florence. The Byzantine Empire was facing significant threats from the Ottoman Turks, which made unity with Rome appear more appealing to some Eastern leaders as a potential means of gaining support against these external pressures. However, despite this urgency, internal divisions within Eastern Orthodoxy and resistance to papal authority ultimately undermined any lasting agreements reached during the council.
• Evaluate why the decisions made at the Council of Florence failed to achieve lasting unity between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
  • The decisions made at the Council of Florence failed to achieve lasting unity due to a combination of theological disagreements, political disinterest from key factions within Eastern Orthodoxy, and a lack of acceptance from significant church leaders. While some clergy may have agreed with certain council decrees, widespread skepticism remained regarding papal authority. Additionally, external events like the fall of Constantinople highlighted a divergence in priorities between East and West. The resulting mistrust meant that even well-intentioned efforts for reconciliation did not hold sway among most Eastern Orthodox communities.

Related terms

East-West Schism:

The division that occurred in 1054 between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East, primarily due to differences in theology, liturgy, and authority.

Papal Authority: The doctrine that the Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, holds supreme authority over all Christians and is considered infallible in matters of faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Union of Florence: The agreement reached at the Council of Florence in 1439 that aimed to unify the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, though it was largely rejected by the Eastern Orthodox community.