Church history · 325–787
The Ecumenical Councils
The seven Ecumenical Councils (325–787) formulated the dogmas of the Trinity, of Christ and of the veneration of icons.
The seven Councils
Nicaea I (325): condemnation of Arianism, the Creed, the Son consubstantial with the Father. Constantinople I (381): the teaching on the Holy Spirit, completion of the Creed. Ephesus (431): the Virgin Mary is Theotokos; condemnation of Nestorius. Chalcedon (451): two natures in Christ “without confusion, change, division or separation”. Constantinople II (553) and III (680–681): refinement of Christology, two wills in Christ. Nicaea II (787): restoration of the veneration of icons.
Significance
The Councils are the highest authority in the Orthodox Church after Scripture; their decisions are held to express the faith of the whole Church. The separation from the non-Chalcedonian (Oriental) Churches after 451 continues, although theological dialogue goes on.
The Triumph of Orthodoxy
The final victory over iconoclasm in 843 is celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent.
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great
Related
- The Symbol of Faith (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)
- First Sunday of Great Lent. Triumph of Orthodoxy
- Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great
- The First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea, 325)
- The Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 381)
- The Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus, 431)
- The Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon, 451)
- The Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 553)
- The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, 680–681)
- The Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicaea, 787)