The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 680–681)

In the 7th century, to reconcile the non-Chalcedonians, a doctrine of one energy (Monoenergism) and then of one will in Christ (Monothelitism) was proposed. It was backed by imperial decrees — the Ekthesis of Heraclius (638) and the Typos of Constans II (648).

St Maximus the Confessor (†662) and Pope Martin I of Rome (†655) opposed Monothelitism; both suffered for the faith and are venerated by the Church as confessors. The theology of St Maximus underlies the Council's decisions.

The Emperor Constantine IV convened the Council in Constantinople (680–681). It confessed in Christ two natural wills and two energies, divine and human; the human will does not oppose the divine but follows it. Supporters of Monothelitism were condemned, among them Patriarch Sergius and Pope Honorius.

In 691–692 a council in Constantinople adopted 102 canons of church discipline. The Orthodox Church regards it as completing the Fifth and Sixth Ecumenical Councils (the “Quinisext”); the Roman Church did not fully accept its canons.