may 5, 553 - 2nd Council of Constantinople

Description:

Date and Location:

-Convened in 553 AD.
-Held in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey).

Purpose:

-Address ongoing Christological disputes and the controversy over the "Three Chapters."
-Reconcile divisions within the Church, particularly between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian factions.

Attendees:

-Approximately 165 bishops, primarily from the Eastern Roman Empire.
-Convened by Emperor Justinian I and presided over by Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople.

Key Outcomes:

Condemnation of the "Three Chapters":

-Condemned the writings and authors associated with the "Three Chapters" (Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrus, and Ibas of Edessa), which were seen as sympathetic to Nestorianism.
-Aimed to placate the Monophysites by rejecting perceived Nestorian tendencies within the Church.

Reaffirmation of Chalcedonian Christology:

-Reaffirmed the doctrines established by the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), maintaining the belief in the hypostatic union of Christ's two natures.
-Emphasized the compatibility of the Chalcedonian Definition with Cyril of Alexandria’s Christological views.

Origenism Condemnation:

-Condemned certain teachings attributed to Origen, an early Christian theologian, particularly those deemed unorthodox or speculative.
-Addressed concerns about Origen's views on the preexistence of souls and the ultimate restoration of all beings.

Anathemas and Decrees:

-Issued 14 anathemas specifically targeting the "Three Chapters" and related Christological errors.
Reinforced the authority of the earlier ecumenical councils, including Nicaea, Constantinople I, Ephesus, and Chalcedon.

Significance:

-Considered the fifth ecumenical council by most Christian denominations.
-Sought to heal the rift between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian Christians, though it ultimately failed to achieve full reconciliation.
-Strengthened the imperial influence over church affairs, with Emperor Justinian I playing a significant role in theological and ecclesiastical decisions.

Legacy:

-The condemnation of the "Three Chapters" remained a contentious issue, particularly in the Western Church, leading to tensions between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.
-The council's decisions contributed to the ongoing development of orthodox Christology and the suppression of heterodox views.
-Set a precedent for the involvement of secular authorities in resolving theological disputes.

Notable Figures:

Emperor Justinian I:

-Played a central role in convening the council and guiding its decisions.
-Sought to achieve religious unity within the empire and support orthodox theology.

Pope Vigilius:

-Initially resisted condemning the "Three Chapters" but eventually acquiesced under imperial pressure.
-His involvement exemplified the tensions between the Eastern and Western Churches over theological and political issues.

Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople:

-Presided over the council and facilitated its proceedings.
-Supported the condemnation of the "Three Chapters" and the reaffirmation of Chalcedonian orthodoxy.

Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrus, and Ibas of Edessa:

-Their writings and positions were central to the controversy addressed by the council.
-Condemned posthumously for their perceived association with Nestorianism.

The Second Council of Constantinople was a significant event in the ongoing effort to define and defend orthodox Christology, though it also highlighted the complexities and challenges of achieving theological unity within the early Church.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images:

Geo: