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Reception
The Church's recognition of a council or teaching as expressing the faith — what makes a council truly ecumenical.
Reception (doche, acceptance) is the process by which the whole Church recognizes in a council's definition the voice of the Holy Spirit. Orthodox ecclesiology holds that a council's authority is not automatic — it is confirmed by the Church's reception. The 'Robber Council' of Ephesus (449 AD) had genuine episcopal attendance but was rejected by the Church. Reception is not a vote but a recognition.