ABSTRACT
Walter Norden, author of the deservedly well-known book, Das Papsttum und Byzanz freely admits that Pope Innocent after the conquest of Constantinople in 1204 did not try to impose upon the Greeks conformity with the Latins in faith and rite. What the pallium signified is described in the formula used at its bestowal on the Bulgarian archbishop of Tirnovo. It was 'the mark of the fulness of the pontifical office', and was to be worn by metropolitans only in churches subject to them and on certain feastdays and occasions. Innocent, however, is blamed for harping on this one point and ignoring whatever other dogmatic questions divided the Churches. Though he never doubted about the supremacy of the Church of which he was the head, Innocent did not employ or permit repressive measures to impose the Latin Church on the Greeks. He recognised as valid the orders of bishops, priests and deacons of the oriental Church.
