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A scrupulously fair exploration of how the Catholic and Orthodox churches were split asunder—and what a path to union might look like.
In Reuniting Rome with the Orthodox Dmitri Solzhenitsyn provides a careful theological and historical reflection on the prospects for full communion between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. He argues that Orthodox–Catholic reunification is not only a moral imperative but also a possibility, especially in light of recent dialogue between the churches.
Solzhenitsyn traces the arc of Orthodox–Catholic relations from the churches’ shared apostolic heritage to their growing divergence to the Great Schism of 1054. He contends that the breakdown was ultimately fueled as much by a failure to practice love and charity as by doctrinal conflict. And he finds hope for unity in the gradually warming relations between the churches seen since the nineteenth century, as evidenced by symbolic reciprocal gestures and genuine theological breakthroughs.
Solzhenitsyn ends by offering a constructive vision for reunion, focusing on the core theological obstacles of papal authority and the filioque while also addressing broader Orthodox attitudes and the practical mechanics of reunion. In the end, he calls readers, Orthodox and Catholic alike, both to imagine what restored communion might look like in lived experience and to work—and pray—for unity.
“An attentive and well-balanced reading of the history of the separation of the churches of East and West, this remarkable book offers a refreshingly hopeful contribution to the work of bringing to fulfillment Christ’s prayer that ‘they all may be one.’”—William Henn OFM Cap, author of The Honor of My Brothers: A Brief History of the Relationship Between Pope and Bishops and Professor Emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
“Solzhenitsyn offers fresh insight into the schism between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, providing a comprehensive, candid, accessible and admirable overview of church divisions. This book is a provocative, albeit painful reminder of the treasures and traditions that the two ‘sister churches’ share—and also of the long journey toward unity that lies ahead.”—John Chryssavgis, Executive Director, Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross
“Solzhenitsyn presents to the reader everything needed to understand both the current state and possible future of Catholic–Orthodox relations. His incisive analysis of recent dialogues on the filioque and the primacy, provide him the theological foundations necessary for what comes next: suggestions for concrete steps necessary to heal these ancient wounds. I can only hope this book gets the wide readership it so richly deserves."—A. Edward Siecienski, author of The Filioque: History of a Doctrinal Controversy and The Papacy and the Orthodox: Sources and History of a Debate
“While adequately and objectively covering the history, this book actually deals with attempts and proposals for healing the Schism. That is of vital importance, since apart from solving differences, reunification, if it is to succeed, will require a conversion of heart by the faithful.”—+ Metropolitan Petros of Axum
Introduction by Fr. Laurent Cleenewerck
Chapter 1: Why Unite?
Chapter 2: Early Church History - Doctrine, Structure, and Primacy
The Beginning
Arianism and Other Early Heresies
Further disputes: Nestorianism, Monophysitism, and the Council of Chalcedon
Early Ecclesiastical Structure
Primacy through Chalcedon (451)
Chapter 3: The Emperor, de facto Roman primacy, and Continued East-West Divergence in the Early Medieval Period (452–800)
Introduction: General Developments from the Fifth to the Ninth Century
Post-Chalcedonian East-West Relations: the Acacian Schism
Justinian’s Reign: Imperial Dominance over Rome
A Gradual Recovery of Papal Independence: from Justin II until the Monothelitism Controversy
Deepening East-West Tensions: the Monothelitism and Iconoclasm Controversies
Competing Ecclesiologies in the Post-Chalcedonian Era
Diverging Liturgies and Practices Before the Schism
Chapter 4: The Great Schism (800–1204)
Introduction to the Great Schism
The Photian Schism
Between Photius and 1054
The Schism of 1054
From 1054 through the Sack of Constantinople (1204)
The Filioque from Inception through the Sack of Constantinople
Chapter 5: After the Schism: Efforts at Reconciliation (1204–1800)
The Second Council of Lyons (1272–1274)
The Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438–1445)
Uniatism and other Post-Florence Developments
Chapter 6: Modern Catholic-Orthodox relations and developments (1801–2025)
The 1848 Exchange Between Pope Pius IX and the Orthodox Patriarchs
Later Nineteenth Century: Major Vatican Developments and Continued Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue
The Twentieth Century: A Brief Overview
Vatican II
The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue, Munich and Uniatism
Et Unum Sint (1995) and other Developments under Pope John Paul II
Ravenna Document (2007)
Pope Francis, Warmed Vatican-Moscow Relations and Chieti (2016)
The Alexandria Document (2023) and The Bishop of Rome (2024)
Francis, Bartholomew, and the Synod on Synodality (2024)
Chapter 7: Reuniting the Churches
Do we Even Want to Reunite?
Finding Common Ground on Papal Primacy
Resolving the Filioque Barrier
Reuniting in Practice: What Will it Take?
Reflection
Afterword by Fr. Aidan Nichols O.P.