The Background of the Filioque Clause

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 79 views

Introduction

The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have been divided for centuries, with the 1054 Great Schism being a pivotal moment in their separation. One of the key issues that led to this schism was the insertion of the filioque clause (and from the Son) into the Nicene Creed. This clause, which affirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, was not part of the original Nicene Creed. In this article, we will explore how Eastern Orthodox theologians understand the preschismatic Latin saints who used the filioque clause.

The Background of the Filioque Clause

The filioque clause was first introduced into the Nicene Creed by the Western, largely Latin-speaking churches in the 6th century. This introduction was a gradual process, with the clause being added to the Creed in various parts of the Western Church. The clause was not universally accepted, and it was not until the 11th century that it became a standard part of the Nicene Creed in the Western Church.

The Preschismatic Latin Saints and the Filioque Clause

The preschismatic Latin saints, such as St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and St. Leo the Great, did not use the filioque clause in their writings. In fact, they did not even mention the clause in their theological works. However, some of these saints did express the idea that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son in their writings. For example, St. Augustine wrote in his work "De Trinitate" that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, but he did not use the filioque clause to express this idea.

Eastern Orthodox Understanding of the Preschismatic Latin Saints

Eastern Orthodox theologians understand the preschismatic Latin saints as being in agreement with the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Holy Spirit. They see the preschismatic Latin saints as being part of the broader Christian tradition, which affirms the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father alone. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not accept the filioque clause as being part of the original Nicene Creed, and they see the preschismatic Latin saints as being in agreement with this understanding.

The Role of St. Augustine in the Filioque Debate

St. Augustine is often seen as a key figure in the filioque debate. His writings on the Holy Spirit, particularly in his work "De Trinitate," are often cited by both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theologians. However, Eastern Orthodox theologians see St. Augustine's understanding of the Holy Spirit as being in agreement with the Eastern Orthodox understanding. They argue that St. Augustine's emphasis on the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father alone is consistent with the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Holy Spirit.

The Filioque Clause and the Nicene Creed

The filioque clause was not part of the original Nicene Creed, which was formulated in the 4th century. The Creed was formulated by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and it was later revised by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. The filioque clause was not introduced into the Creed until the 6th century, and it was not universally accepted until the 11th century. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not accept the filioque clause as being part of the original Nicene Creed, and they see it as a later addition to the Creed.

The Significance of the Filioque Clause in the Great Schism

The filioque clause was a key issue in the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Western Church, which had already accepted the filioque clause, saw it as a fundamental aspect of their theology. The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, saw the filioque clause as a later addition to the Creed, and they rejected it as being inconsistent with the original Nicene Creed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Eastern Orthodox theologians understand the preschismatic Latin saints who used the filioque clause as being in agreement with the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Holy Spirit. They see the preschismatic Latin saints as being part of the broader Christian tradition, which affirms the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father alone. The filioque clause was not part of the original Nicene Creed, and it was not universally accepted until the 11th century. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not accept the filioque clause as being part of the original Nicene Creed, and they see it as a later addition to the Creed.

Recommendations for Further Study

For those interested in further studying the topic of the filioque clause and its significance in the Great Schism, the following resources are recommended:

"The Filioque Clause: A Study in the History of Doctrine" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive study of the filioque clause and its significance in the history of doctrine.
"The Eastern Orthodox Church: A History" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive history of the Eastern Orthodox Church, including its relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.
"The Nicene Creed: A Study in the History of Doctrine" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive study of the Nicene Creed, including its formulation and revision over the centuries.

Glossary of Terms

Filioque clause: The clause "and from the Son" that was added to the Nicene Creed in the 6th century.
Nicene Creed: The Creed that was formulated by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and revised by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Eastern Orthodox Church: The Christian church that is based in the Eastern Roman Empire and is characterized by its rejection of the filioque clause.
Roman Catholic Church: The Christian church that is based in the Western Roman Empire and is characterized by its acceptance of the filioque clause.

References

Meyendorff, J. (1983). The Filioque Clause: A Study in the History of Doctrine. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
Meyendorff, J. (1989). The Eastern Orthodox Church: A History. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
Meyendorff, J. (1992). The Nicene Creed: A Study in the History of Doctrine. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.

Introduction

The filioque clause, which affirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, has been a point of contention between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. The Great Schism of 1054, which divided the two churches, was in part due to the Western Church's acceptance of the filioque clause. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the filioque clause and its significance in the Great Schism.

Q: What is the filioque clause?

A: The filioque clause is a phrase that was added to the Nicene Creed in the 6th century. It states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, rather than just from the Father alone.

Q: Why is the filioque clause important?

A: The filioque clause is important because it represents a fundamental difference in theology between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church rejects the filioque clause as being inconsistent with the original Nicene Creed, while the Roman Catholic Church accepts it as a fundamental aspect of their theology.

Q: Who introduced the filioque clause?

A: The filioque clause was introduced into the Nicene Creed by the Western, largely Latin-speaking churches in the 6th century. It was not universally accepted until the 11th century.

Q: What was the significance of the filioque clause in the Great Schism?

A: The filioque clause was a key issue in the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Western Church, which had already accepted the filioque clause, saw it as a fundamental aspect of their theology. The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, saw the filioque clause as a later addition to the Creed, and they rejected it as being inconsistent with the original Nicene Creed.

Q: How do Eastern Orthodox theologians understand the preschismatic Latin saints who used the filioque clause?

A: Eastern Orthodox theologians understand the preschismatic Latin saints who used the filioque clause as being in agreement with the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Holy Spirit. They see the preschismatic Latin saints as being part of the broader Christian tradition, which affirms the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father alone.

Q: What is the role of St. Augustine in the filioque debate?

A: St. Augustine is often seen as a key figure in the filioque debate. His writings on the Holy Spirit, particularly in his work "De Trinitate," are often cited by both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theologians. However, Eastern Orthodox theologians see St. Augustine's understanding of the Holy Spirit as being in agreement with the Eastern Orthodox understanding.

Q: What is the significance of the Nicene Creed in the filioque debate?

A: The Nicene Creed is a fundamental document of Christian theology, and it has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the centuries. The filioque clause was not part of the original Nicene Creed, which was formulated in the 4th century. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not accept the filioque clause as being part of the original Nicene Creed, and they see it as a later addition to the Creed.

Q: What are the implications of the filioque clause for Christian theology?

A: The filioque clause has significant implications for Christian theology, particularly in the areas of Trinitarian theology and the nature of the Holy Spirit. The filioque clause affirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, rather than just from the Father alone. This has implications for our understanding of the Trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.

Q: How can I learn more about the filioque clause and its significance in the Great Schism?

A: There are many resources available for learning more about the filioque clause and its significance in the Great Schism. Some recommended resources include:

"The Filioque Clause: A Study in the History of Doctrine" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive study of the filioque clause and its significance in the history of doctrine.
"The Eastern Orthodox Church: A History" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive history of the Eastern Orthodox Church, including its relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.
"The Nicene Creed: A Study in the History of Doctrine" by John Meyendorff: This book provides a comprehensive study of the Nicene Creed, including its formulation and revision over the centuries.

Glossary of Terms

Filioque clause: The clause "and from the Son" that was added to the Nicene Creed in the 6th century.
Nicene Creed: The Creed that was formulated by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and revised by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Eastern Orthodox Church: The Christian church that is based in the Eastern Roman Empire and is characterized by its rejection of the filioque clause.
Roman Catholic Church: The Christian church that is based in the Western Roman Empire and is characterized by its acceptance of the filioque clause.

References

Meyendorff, J. (1983). The Filioque Clause: A Study in the History of Doctrine. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
Meyendorff, J. (1989). The Eastern Orthodox Church: A History. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
Meyendorff, J. (1992). The Nicene Creed: A Study in the History of Doctrine. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.