0vercoming Ecclesiastical Schism: Coercion, Dialogue, and the Politics of Unity in the Byzantium

Abstract

This article analyzes the primary tactics employed by the Christian Church, particularly within the Byzantine tradition, to address and resolve ecclesiastical schism. It delineates two principal methodologies: coercion and negotiation. Coercion, frequently implemented via imperial authority, was rationalized by theological considerations for upholding orthodoxy and by political necessities for sustaining municipal order. Case examples encompass the repression of the Donatists during Constantine's reign, the aggressive actions of Justinian I, and subsequent occurrences where patriarchs openly advocated for emperors to persecute dissenters. Although leaders like St. Augustine ultimately advocated for coercion as a remedial measure, some of the Church Fathers, including St. Ambrose of Milan and St. John Chrysostom, dismissed violence as inconsistent with Christian doctrine and engaged in direct confrontation with emperors.

In conjunction with compulsion, negotiation surfaced as a concurrent approach, evident in ecumenical councils, imperial-mediated discussions, and bilateral theological conversations. Theological controversies on Christology, papal supremacy, and liturgical practices were sometimes intertwined with political agendas, exemplified by the unions of Lyons (1274) and Florence (1439), both primarily motivated by Byzantine requests for Western assistance. The essay emphasizes that such agreements persisted only when they garnered widespread acceptance among both clergy and people and when they permitted conceptual flexibility and liturgical heterogeneity. The study highlights the intricate relationship among theology, politics, and culture in influencing attempts to resolve ecclesiastical divisions.