In the early stages of Christian history, internal disagreements were already evident, laying the foundation for further divisions into various movements and sects.

The Roots of Christian Schisms: From Early Heresies to the 1054 Divide

In the early stages of Christian history, internal disagreements were already evident, laying the foundation for further divisions into various movements and sects. After apostolic times, numerous disputes over issues such as the acceptance of pagans, the relationship with Judaism, and the proper application of rites led to the emergence, as early as the 2nd century, of what came to be known as heretical movements, including Gnostic sects and other groups with divergent interpretations of doctrine. As noted in the source, "After apostolic times, these differences in views turned into differences of opinions. From the 2nd century onward, heretics, Gnostics, groups of Greek heretics, and others began to appear..." (source: link txt).

The 11th century acquires special historical and cultural significance. In 1054, a pivotal event occurred—the division of the Christian world—when the Roman Catholic Church separated from the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, marking the formalization and deepening of the division (source: link txt). This split was caused not only by theological disagreements but also by differences in cultural and political contexts, where geopolitical conflicts, diverse liturgical practices, and contrasting views on church tradition contributed to the final schism.

Thus, the roots of Christianity's division into sects can be traced back to the 2nd century, when the first heretical and Gnostic groups emerged, with the most significant milestone being the 11th century—specifically the year 1054—when the split between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches became clear and enduring.