The history of Christianity is marked by both unity and division. One of the most significant separations occurred in 1054 AD, known as the Great Schism, when the Church split into the Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. To the world, this division may seem like a fracture—a breaking of something that was meant to remain whole. Yet, the Orthodox way teaches us to see brokenness differently: broken off does not mean destroyed.
The split was the result of many factors: differences in language, culture, theology, and authority. The West emphasised the primacy of the Pope; the East emphasized conciliar leadership among patriarchs. Disagreements arose over liturgical practices, the wording of creeds, and even political tensions within the crumbling Roman Empire. In many ways, the branches of the Church were broken off from each other—but the root remained alive, nurtured by faith and the Spirit.
Orthodoxy sees this separation not as an end, but as a refining moment. Being broken off called the Eastern Church to preserve the ancient traditions, the liturgies, and the theology of the early Church Fathers. It required endurance, humility, and reliance on God (YHWH) in the face of external pressure. Brokenness became a crucible for spiritual depth, communal identity, and resilience.
The lesson is clear: division and loss in the Church—or in our personal lives—do not equate to destruction. Just as the Orthodox Church continues to thrive centuries after being “broken off” from Rome, so too can the believer endure trials, heartbreak, and separation without losing the essence of life in God (YHWH). Brokenness can be a passage to greater faith, not a verdict of defeat.
Spiritually, the Orthodox way reminds us to look beyond appearances. While branches may fall, the root—the truth of God (YHWH), the Spirit, and the mission of Christ Jesus—remains. Every fracture in the life of a believer or the body of Christ is an invitation to deeper alignment, resilience, and reliance on divine guidance. Brokenness becomes a teacher, patience becomes a tool, and endurance becomes proof of unseen strength.
Therefore, embrace the path of the Orthodox way. Stand firm in faith, even when divisions appear. Worship in humility, pray in perseverance, and allow the Spirit to transform every broken place into a source of renewal. Remember, being broken off does not mean being destroyed; it means being refined, preserved, and prepared for greater purpose.
Through Christ Jesus, we have the strength to stand firm, remain faithful, and flourish even in seasons of brokenness.
The Orthodox Way: Broken Off, But Not Destroyed.
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