The Schism of 1054

CNG 106, Lot: 894. Estimate $1500. Sold for $6500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Michael Keroularios. Patriarch of Constantinople, 1043-1058. PB Seal (45mm, 57.82 g, 12h). + ΘKE ROHΘE[I] Tω Cω ΔOVΛω, the Virgin Hodeghetra standing facing on rectangular dais, holding Christ Child; (MHP) ΘV across field / – + –/MIXAHΛ/ APXIEΠI/CK KωNCTAN/TINOVΠOΛ/ NEAC Pω/–M–. BLS II 15. Good VF, a few marks. Rare.

Michael was the Patriarch of Constantinople when mounting tensions between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches gave way to the Great Schism of 1054, a highly contentious year that would see Pope Leo IX and Michael excommunicate each other (Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras nullified the excommunications in 1965). Michael was also deeply involved in the maneuvering that led to the abdication of the Byzantine emperor Michael VI in 1057, and reached the height of his power early in the reign of the new emperor Isaac I, who at first was little more than the patriarch’s puppet. Michael’s open use of imperial power led Isaac, fearing a total rebellion, to have the patriarch deposed and exiled.