Final answer:
Christian leaders known as bishops and patriarchs have played crucial roles in the establishment and hierarchy of the Church. The pope's authority, especially after becoming associated with Rome, grew over centuries, particularly indicated by the doctrine of Petrine Succession. These positions and their development significantly influenced the organization of the Church and its eventual division during the Great Schism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The roles and significance of bishops, patriarchs, and the pope have been foundational to the development and organization of the Christian Church, particularly significant after the fall of Rome. Initially, the archbishop of Rome was just one of several influential leaders, but over time, especially after the sixth century, Roman bishops (popes) asserted more comprehensive authority, though not always recognized, especially in the east. Important to this claim of authority was the doctrine of Petrine Succession, which linked the role directly to the Apostle Peter, believed to have been given the keys to heaven by Christ. During the Great Schism of 1054, the Christian Church experienced a significant division with the establishment of the eastern branch, led by the Patriarch of Constantinople using Greek, contrasting with the Roman Catholic Church that remained in Rome using Latin.
Bishops oversaw dioceses and played key roles in charity, education, and ordination. The move towards increased clerical celibacy and the condemnation of simony were part of reforms influenced by the Cluniac movement. Linguistic, cultural, and doctrinal differences, such as the role of the pope, celibacy for clergy, and the language of church services, were central in the growing divide between the Western and Eastern churches.