Question

T/F: "Because the split between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches occurred only recently (in 1822), most observers believe that their reunification might well happen soon."

Answer 1

The split between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches occurred in 1054, not 1822, so the statement is false. The Great Schism was due to theological, cultural, and linguistic differences, resulting in a longstanding division that makes imminent reunification unlikely.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the split between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches occurred only recently in 1822 is false. The actual separation, known as the Great Schism, took place in 1054. This event marked a significant religious and cultural division, as the two branches of Christianity had been drifting apart due to differences in language, church practices, and interpretation of ecclesiastical authority. While attempts at reunification have occurred over the centuries, their distinct paths have solidified over nearly a millennium, making immediate reunification unlikely.

The Eastern Orthodox Church, after the Great Schism, established its center in Constantinople and favored Greek for services, while the Roman Catholic Church remained in Rome, utilizing Latin. The Orthodox Church permitted married priests and considered the patriarch as authoritative as the pope, contrasting with the Roman Catholic Church which demanded celibacy for clergy and saw the pope as the supreme authority.