In 1054 there was a disagreement in Christianity over some religious ceremonies. In addition, there was a question over who had the final authority in the Christian religion. The Bishop of Rome (Pope) argued with his counter-part in Constantinople (Patriarch) over who should be the ultimate leader of the Church. The Pope believed that Rome should remain the center of Christianity. He argued that since Rome had been the center of the Roman Empire, it made sense that it be the center of the Church. The Patriarch believed that Constantinople (modern day Turkey) should be the center of the Church. He argued that churches in the Middle East were older and more "true" to the original Christian churches. This disagreement led to a split along geographic lines. Christian churches in the "West" accepted Rome and the Pope as the head of the Church and those in the "east" accepted Constantinople and the Patriarch as the head of the Church. This officially created the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

 

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