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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the features of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the extent to which Christianity was transformed by the Great Schism.

      Key learning points

      1. The Eastern Orthodox Church was led by a patriarch.
      2. The patriarch was based in the city of Constantinople.
      3. Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism share many similarities and several differences.
      4. There were elements of both change and continuity within Christianity after the Great Schism in 1054.

      Keywords

      • Schism - a schism is a split between strongly opposed parties

      • Patriarch - patriarch is the title used by the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church

      Common misconception

      Different religious denominations believe very different things from each other.

      Different denominations within a religion will almost certainly believe the same fundamental things about their religion, but will differ over the details of belief or liturgy.

      Teacher tip

      For the final task, students can stand in the classroom along a continuum line to demonstrate what they believe to be the extent of the transformation of Christianity. Students can then be chosen to explain the reason behind where they are standing.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Members of the Roman Catholic Church were organised according to their...

      piety
      Correct answer: importance
      wealth
      location

      Q2.
      The leader of the Catholic Church is known as the ...

      Correct answer: pope
      cardinal
      archbishop
      bishop

      Q3.
      Pope Leo IX was unhappy that many members of the clergy had ...

      Correct answer: their own families
      their own land
      their own ideas

      Q4.
      was when people could buy a position in the Church.

      Correct Answer: Simony, simony

      Q5.
      Leo came into conflict with the Normans in southern...

      Correct Answer: Italy, italy

      Q6.
      Under Leo and Gregory's reforms, some __________ lost their power and status in society.

      bishops
      Correct answer: women
      kings
      cardinals

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Eastern Orthodox Christianity was the religion of the Empire.

      Correct Answer: Byzantine, byzantine

      Q2.
      The periodic destruction of __________ took place throughout the Byzantine Empire.

      churches
      religious texts
      Correct answer: religious artwork

      Q3.
      The Eastern Orthodox Church forbade the religious use of...

      Correct Answer: sculptures, sculpture

      Q4.
      What happened to the relationship between the Eastern and Western Churches after the Great Schism?

      It improved.
      It stayed the same.
      Correct answer: It got worse.

      Q5.
      Match the practice or belief to the correct Church.

      Correct Answer:Catholic eucharist,used unleavened bread

      used unleavened bread

      Correct Answer:Orthodox eucharist,used leavened bread dipped in wine

      used leavened bread dipped in wine

      Correct Answer:Catholic belief about the Holy Spirit,the Holy Spirit comes from both God and Jesus

      the Holy Spirit comes from both God and Jesus

      Correct Answer:Orthodox belief about the Holy Spirit,the Holy Spirit comes only from God

      the Holy Spirit comes only from God

      Q6.
      Which of these statements best compares the two Churches after the Great Schism?

      Correct answer: Some differences in belief and practice, but many similarities.
      Many differences in belief and practice, with no real similarities.
      Many similarities in belief and practice, with no real differences.

      To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The Eastern Orthodox Church, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...