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Church Councils: An Overview
Many people within
Christianity have a limited understanding of church councils. They often
recognize the resulting creeds but may not fully comprehend where these beliefs
were formalized and the reasons behind them. Following the recent visit of Pope
Leo XIII, which included significant events in Ankara, Istanbul, and Nicaea, I
wanted to share some insights from my notes.
Pope Leo XIII's three-day
visit to Turkey included a symbolic journey that began with a visit to
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, followed by a meeting with
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In the evening, a program was held at the National
Library. The Pope also engaged with both Catholic clergy and Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul. A special service took place in Nicaea to
commemorate the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, after which the
Pope concluded his visit in Istanbul and departed for Beirut.
Understanding the
significance of the early church councils is essential for Christians. These
gatherings shaped fundamental doctrines that continue to influence the faith
today. In this post, I aim to provide information about the Seven Ecumenical
Councils of the Early Church as well as insights into the role of apostles and
church fathers in the province of Asia. Additionally, I will explore church
theology during the 4th to 6th centuries, particularly focusing on Christology.
Let’s dive deeper into these
significant historical events and their lasting impact on Christianity.
Gürkan Adalı – Oktogon Travel
The 7 Ecumenical Councils of the Early Church:
The Arian controversy
(Christology).
The Nicene Creed. The Son
is of the same essence as the Father.
The Nicene Creed was
confirmed and finally formulated — our “Nicene Creed.”
The relationship between
Jesus as true God and true man.
The doctrine of Mary as
Theotokos (“God-bearer”).
Moderate dyophysite
doctrine: the mystery of the Incarnation — Christ is God and man in one and the
same person.
Clarification of the
Chalcedonian confession and rejection of certain Antiochene–Nestorian
teachings (the “Three Chapters”).
Resolution of the
“monothelite” Christology
(the view that Christ had
only one divine will and no human will).
Provisional conclusion of
the Iconoclastic Controversy:
“He who venerates the
image (icon) venerates the one depicted.”
The “theology of images.”
APOSTLES AND CHURCH FATHERS IN THE PROVINCE OF ASIA
Ephesus:
1. The Apostle Paul
(in Ephesus 51/52 and
53–55 AD)
Acts 18:19–21; Acts 19;
20:16f.
2. The Apostle John
(in Ephesus ca. 70 [?] –
100 AD)
“The apostle and evangelist John was still alive and had responsibility for the churches in Asia. After the death of Domitian (96 AD), he returned from exile on the island of Patmos.”
(Eusebius, Church History
III, 23)
“The church in Ephesus is
a reliable foundation for the teaching of the apostles. It was founded by Paul,
and the apostle John lived there until the time of Trajan (emperor from 98 AD).
He was buried in Ephesus.”
(Irenaeus, Against
Heresies III, 3, 4 / Eusebius, Church History V, 24, 3)
Smyrna:
3. Bishop Polycarp
(ca. 69 – 155/156)
A disciple of John.
“Polycarp was not only a
disciple of the apostles but had associated with many who had seen the Lord.”
Hierapolis:
4. Bishop Papias
(ca. 60/70 – 140/150)
A disciple of John and a “colleague” of Polycarp.
“During Polycarp’s time,
Papias served as bishop of Hierapolis.”
(Eusebius, Church History
III, 15, 2)
“Papias was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp, a man of ancient times. He wrote five books.”
(Irenaeus, Against
Heresies V, 34, 4)
Sardis:
5. Bishop Melito
(d. ca. 190)
Highly esteemed as an apologist and prophetic preacher.
His sermon On Pascha from
around 175 is the oldest preserved Easter homily
(the complete text was
rediscovered in 1940).
“… Melito … lived”
Smyrna /
Lyon:
6. Bishop Irenaeus
(ca. 130 [?] – ca. 200)
A disciple of Polycarp in Smyrna. Later moved to Lyon (southern France).
Bishop of Lyon from
177/178.
“I remember events from my youth better than those of recent times (…). I can even describe the place where the blessed Polycarp sat and spoke, how he went in and out, his way of life, his appearance, his speech to the people, how he spoke of his association with John and with others who had seen the Lord, how he recalled what they had said and what he had heard from them about the Lord, about His mighty works and His teaching. Polycarp received this from eyewitnesses of the Word of Life and recounted everything in accordance with Scripture. I listened attentively and wrote it down, not on paper, but in my heart.”
(Irenaeus, Letter to
Florinus in Rome)
CHURCH AND THEOLOGY IN THE 4TH–6TH CENTURIES (Christology)
The Arian
Controversy
318 Synod of Alexandria: Arius (presbyter in Alexandria) is excommunicated.
325 Council of
Nicaea.
328 Athanasius
becomes bishop of Alexandria.
335–337 Athanasius
deposed and exiled from Alexandria.
361–363 Emperor
Julian the Apostate.
380 Emperor
Theodosius I makes Christianity the state religion.
381 Council of
Constantinople (150 bishops present).
The 2nd Ecumenical
Council.
The Nestorian
Controversy
428 Nestorius of Antioch becomes patriarch of Constantinople.
429 Cyril of
Alexandria attacks Nestorius.
431 Council of
Ephesus: Nestorius is condemned.
433 Compromise
document drawn up (“Formula of Union”).
435 Nestorius
exiled to Egypt.
The 3rd Ecumenical
Council.
The Eutychian
Controversy
448 Eutyches (monk and presbyter in Constantinople) condemned (μία φύσις).
449 The “Robber
Synod” of Ephesus. Dioscorus of Alexandria declares Eutyches orthodox.
451 Council of
Chalcedon (moderate two-nature doctrine).
The 4th Ecumenical
Council.
The “Three
Chapters” Controversy
482 Imperial prohibition against further disputes. Clarification of the Chalcedonian formula
(monophysite tendency in
the “Henotikon”).
484–519 Schism
between East and West due to disagreement over Chalcedon
(many Eastern churches
considered it “too Western”).
553 Council of
Constantinople: clarification of Chalcedon and condemnation of
Antiochene–Nestorian teachings
(the “Three Chapters”).
The 5th Ecumenical
Council.
The
“Monergist” and “Monothelite” Controversies
638 Decree of Emperor Heraclius.
648 Emperor
Constans II forbids disputes over monergism/monothelitism.
662 Maximus the
Confessor suffers martyrdom.
680–681 Council of
Constantinople: final condemnation of monothelitism.
The 6th Ecumenical
Council.
The eastern churches and dioceses.
“The Eastern churches dominated numerically at the Council of Nicaea in 325.
From Italy there were two representatives; from Spain only one.”