(1) What was the Great Schism? What factors brought it on?
The Great Schism is the event that permanentaly divided Chalcedonian Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Curch in the East. The Schism was not caused by a single event, but rather a combination of smaller factors, such as the Filioque Controversey, where the Western church added the latin word Filioque to the Nicine Creed, which the Eastern church disagreed with. Another factor was the papal supremacy. The pope in Rome claimed supreme authority over the entire global church, which upset the patriarchs in the east.
(3) What are the sacraments?
Baptism is the washing away of sins. Confirmation is the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Eucharist, or communion is the consuming of bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Penance is the confession of sins to a priest to receive forgiveness. Anointing of the sick is the healing and blessing of those who are sick or dying. Holy orders is the sacrament of ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons into the clergy. Marriage is the sacrament of the holy union between a man and a woman.
(4) What is an indulgence?
In the theology of the Roman Catholic Church, an indulgence in the full or partial forgiveness of the temporal punishment still owed for sins that have already been forgiven through confession. Indulgences are usually earned through good deeds, such as prayer or fasting.
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