Greek East And Latin West: The Church AD 681-1071

The Church in History #3

by Andrew Louth

This volume gives an account of the Church in the period from the end of the Sixth Ecumenical Synod in 681 to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Although 'Greek East' and 'Latin West' are becoming distinct entities during this expanse of time, the author treats them in parallel, observing the points at which their destinies coincide or conflict and noting developments within the whole of the Church rather than striving simply, or even primarily, to explain the eventual schism between Eastern and Western Christendom. Covering events both unique to each part (the Iconoclastic controversy in the East and the rise of the Carolingian Empire in the West) and common to each part (monastic reform, renaissance, and mission) the author skillfully portrays two Christian civilizations that share much in common yet become increasingly incomprehensible to one another. Despite curious synchronisms between East and West, the author demonstrates how two paths diverged from a once common route, and how eventually Byzantine Orthodoxy defined the Greek East over against the Latin West in theological, religious, cultural, and political terms.

Genres: History, Church History, Religion, Theology, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction

382 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

About the author

Andrew Louth is an Eastern Orthodox theologian and priest of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Reviews

[David Galloway]

An excellent history of the chosen time period in both East and West. Louth is an eminent scholar, and he follows both the historical events and the theological history—this, along with including both East and West together, is rare in such an endeavor. Louth systematically compiles the events and teachings that led up to Great Schism in a very approachable way.

[Johnathan Rhoades]

Informative, but not overly detailed or insightful. A good read for sure if you’re looking for a brief overview of this transformative period of church history.