Ecumenical Councils

The seven councils.

The canons, creeds, and arguments that kept the Gospel intact.

325

Nicaea, Bithynia

First Council of Nicaea

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible.

Against arianism

381

Constantinople

First Council of Constantinople

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the Prophets.

Against pneumatomachianism

431

Ephesus, Asia Minor

Council of Ephesus

We do not say that the nature of the Word was changed and became flesh, or that it was converted into a whole man.

Against nestorianism

451

Chalcedon, Bithynia

Council of Chalcedon

Following the holy fathers, we all with one voice confess our Lord Jesus Christ to be one and the same Son, the same perfect in Godhead, the same perfect in manhood, truly God and truly man, the same of a rational soul and body; co-essential with the Father in Godhead, and the…

Against eutychianismAgainst eutychianism-/-monophysitism

553

Constantinople

Second Council of Constantinople

If anyone defends the impious Theodore of Mopsuestia, who said that the Word of God is one thing and Christ another — who was gradually separated from what is inferior and became better through his progress in good works — and who was not recognized as God until after his bapt…

Against three-chaptersAgainst the-three-chapters-nestorian-readings-of-chalcedon

680–681

Constantinople

Third Council of Constantinople

We proclaim equally two natural wills in him and two natural operations, undividedly, unconvertibly, inseparably, unconfusedly, according to the teaching of the holy Fathers.

Against monothelitismAgainst pope-honorius-i

787

Nicaea, Bithynia

Second Council of Nicaea

We define that the holy icons, whether in colour, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the holy vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads — the icon of our Lord God and Saviour…

Against iconoclasm

879–880

Constantinople

Council of Constantinople (Photian Council)

Against filioque

1341–1351

Constantinople

Council of Constantinople (Palamite Synod)

Against barlaamismAgainst rationalism