The following work provides a quick overview over all 21 ecumenical councils as of today held by the Catholic Church.
Every several hundred years, cardinals, bishops, priests, theologians and other Catholic leaders, get together under the leadership of the Pope to discuss doctrine and the future of the Church. These are called ecumenical councils. So far, there have been 21 councils in the history of the Church since 325 A.D. (Prior to that, serious persecution prevented widespread meetings. There were, however, less organized councils.) In the Bible we have an example of a Church council (Acts 15-16). Paul and Barnabus went to Jerusalem in Israel to settle the circumcision issue.” As they (Paul and Timothy) went through the towns they delivered to the believers the rules decided upon by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, and they told them to obey those rules.” (Acts 16:3) This is a good example of the Lord using the “Church” to decide on matters of interpretation. The councils are part of the glue of the Church and are extremely important because it is where the Church settles many issues about what God is saying in Scripture and what he is saying to his Church. They are also where the Church officially responds to doctrinal threats. Sometimes we hear Evangelicals say something like, “Catholics made up the doctrine of [insert your favorite Catholic doctrine] at such and such a council” when, in truth, the Church was simply officially defining something that it had always believed as a response to a challenge from those opposed to the Catholic doctrine. Catholics believe the Holy Spirit is seriously present, guiding the proceedings at these councils. Jesus said to Peter, “...you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Catholics believe that was Jesus’ promise that he would protect the Church from doctrinal error. This doctrinal protection is called “infallibility“. It does not mean that Catholics leaders throughout history would not be “indefectible” on issues other than doctrine. These councils are called ecumenical because there are several rites in the Catholic Church including the Eastern Rite (Byzantine, Antiochene, Armenian, Chaldean). All of these rights recognize the Pope in Rome as their leader. The largest rite is the Latin-Rite (that’s the one most people know).
Table of Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- I. FIRST COUNCIL OF NICAEA (A.D. 325)
- II. FIRST COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (A.D. 381)
- III. COUNCIL OF EPHESUS (A.D. 431)
- IV. COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON (A.D. 451)
- V. SECOND COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (A.D. 553)
- VI. THIRD COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (680-681)
- VII. SECOND COUNCIL OF NICAEA (787 A.D.)
- VIII. FOURTH COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (869 A.D.)
- IX. FIRST LATERAN COUNCIL (1123 A.D.)
- X. SECOND LATERAN COUNCIL (1139 A.D.)
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to provide an overview of the 21 ecumenical councils held in the Catholic Church since 325 A.D., highlighting their significance in shaping doctrine and addressing theological challenges. The work explores the historical context, key participants, and major decisions made at each council.
- The development of Catholic doctrine through ecumenical councils.
- The role of the Pope and other Church leaders in defining doctrine.
- The response of the Church to various doctrinal challenges throughout history.
- The historical context of each council and its impact on the Church.
- The concept of Papal Infallibility within the context of ecumenical councils.
Chapter Summaries
I. FIRST COUNCIL OF NICAEA (A.D. 325): The Council of Nicaea, attended by over 300 bishops and Emperor Constantine, lasted two months. Its primary achievement was the creation of the Nicene Creed, which formally defined the divinity of Jesus Christ against the Arian heresy. The council also established a uniform date for the celebration of Easter, resolving a long-standing dispute among Christians.
II. FIRST COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (A.D. 381): Convened under Pope Damasus and Emperor Theodosius I, this council, with 150 bishops in attendance, focused on solidifying the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Building upon the Nicene Creed, it added clauses affirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit, addressing the Macedonians’ challenge to the Holy Spirit’s divine nature. This further defined the foundational Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
III. COUNCIL OF EPHESUS (A.D. 431): This council, with over 200 bishops and presided over by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, addressed the Nestorian controversy. It affirmed the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, and explicitly declared Mary as the "Mother of God" (Theotokos), countering Nestorius’s assertion that Mary was only the "Mother of Christ." The council also reinforced the condemnation of Pelagianism.
IV. COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON (A.D. 451): Under Pope Leo the Great and Emperor Marcian, the Council of Chalcedon (around 150 bishops) addressed the Eutychian heresy. The council defined Christ's dual nature—both fully divine and fully human— resolving the conflict caused by Eutyches's belief in a single, blended nature. The condemnation of Eutyches, a prominent monk, served to protect orthodox Christian understanding of Christ's nature.
V. SECOND COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (A.D. 553): This council, featuring 165 bishops and held under Pope Vigilius and Emperor Justinian I, focused on condemning the theological errors of Origen, particularly his views on the transmigration of souls. The council also condemned writings by several prominent figures, Theodoret, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Ibas of Edessa, while simultaneously reinforcing the authority of the first four ecumenical councils, especially that of Chalcedon.
VI. THIRD COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (680-681): The Third Council of Constantinople, attended by 174 bishops, Patriarchs, and Emperor Constantine Pogonatus under Pope Agatho, tackled Monothelitism. The council's definitive statement on the existence of two wills—divine and human—in Christ definitively refuted the Monothelite belief in only one will in Christ.
VII. SECOND COUNCIL OF NICAEA (787 A.D.): Convoked by Emperor Constantine VI and his mother Irene under Pope Adrian I, the Second Council of Nicaea addressed the issue of iconoclasm. With over 300 bishops in attendance, it decreed that the veneration of holy images and relics was acceptable, thus officially reversing the iconoclastic policies of Emperor Leo III.
VIII. FOURTH COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (869 A.D.): Under Pope Adrian II and Emperor Basil, this council, attended by 102 bishops, 3 papal legates and 4 patriarchs, addressed the conflict between Pope Nicholas and Photius. It condemned Photius's unlawful seizure of the patriarchal dignity and declared the actions of Photius's council invalid, though the Photian Schism persisted in the Greek Church.
IX. FIRST LATERAN COUNCIL (1123 A.D.): The First Lateran Council, held in Rome with about 900 bishops and abbots under Pope Callistus II, addressed the issue of lay investiture. It abolished the right of lay princes to grant ecclesiastical benefices, a significant step in asserting the Church's independence from secular authorities. The council also addressed matters of church discipline and the recovery of the Holy Land.
X. SECOND LATERAN COUNCIL (1139 A.D.): This council, held in Rome under Pope Innocent II with approximately 1000 prelates and Emperor Conrad, aimed to suppress the heretical teachings of Arnold of Brescia. It condemned his views and worked to restore order and orthodoxy within the Church.
Keywords
Ecumenical Councils, Catholic Church, Doctrine, Dogma, Heresy, Nicene Creed, Holy Trinity, Papal Infallibility, Christology, Mariotology, Iconoclasm, Schism, Lay Investiture.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Overview of Ecumenical Councils
What is this text about?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of ten significant ecumenical councils held in the Catholic Church, starting from the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. It details the historical context, key participants, major decisions, and theological significance of each council. The text includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include the development of Catholic doctrine through ecumenical councils; the roles of the Pope and other Church leaders in defining doctrine; the Church's response to various doctrinal challenges; the historical context and impact of each council; and the concept of Papal Infallibility within the context of these councils.
Which Ecumenical Councils are covered?
The text covers the following ten councils:
- First Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325)
- First Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
- Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
- Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
- Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
- Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)
- Second Council of Nicaea (787 A.D.)
- Fourth Council of Constantinople (869 A.D.)
- First Lateran Council (1123 A.D.)
- Second Lateran Council (1139 A.D.)
What is the significance of the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.)?
The Council of Nicaea is crucial for establishing the Nicene Creed, which formally defined the divinity of Jesus Christ, countering the Arian heresy. It also standardized the date for Easter.
What was the main focus of the First Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.)?
The First Council of Constantinople further solidified the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by adding clauses affirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit, addressing the Macedonian challenge.
What key issue did the Council of Ephesus (431 A.D.) address?
The Council of Ephesus addressed the Nestorian controversy, affirming the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ and declaring Mary as "Mother of God" (Theotokos).
What theological problem did the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) resolve?
The Council of Chalcedon defined Christ's dual nature—fully divine and fully human—resolving the Eutychian heresy which asserted a single, blended nature.
What were the key decisions of the Second Council of Constantinople (553 A.D.)?
This council condemned the theological errors of Origen and certain writings, while reinforcing the authority of the first four ecumenical councils.
What heresy did the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681) refute?
The Third Council of Constantinople refuted Monothelitism, asserting that Christ had two wills—divine and human.
What was the outcome of the Second Council of Nicaea (787 A.D.)?
The Second Council of Nicaea reversed the iconoclastic policies, declaring the veneration of holy images and relics acceptable.
What conflict did the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869 A.D.) address?
This council addressed the conflict between Pope Nicholas and Photius, condemning Photius's actions, although the Photian Schism persisted.
What was the significance of the First Lateran Council (1123 A.D.)?
The First Lateran Council addressed lay investiture, abolishing the right of lay princes to grant ecclesiastical benefices and asserting the Church's independence.
What was the main focus of the Second Lateran Council (1139 A.D.)?
The Second Lateran Council aimed to suppress the heretical teachings of Arnold of Brescia and restore orthodoxy.
What are some key terms associated with these Ecumenical Councils?
Key terms include Ecumenical Councils, Catholic Church, Doctrine, Dogma, Heresy, Nicene Creed, Holy Trinity, Papal Infallibility, Christology, Mariotology, Iconoclasm, Schism, and Lay Investiture.
- Quote paper
- Pierre Mvogo Amougou (Author), 2018, The 21 Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. Short Overview, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1131060
