may 19, 983 - Council of Hieria

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In May 983, Nikephoros II convened a synod at Hieria, which was attended entirely by Askesists bishops and were called as the seventh ecumenical council by them, it also famous by denounce Orthodox Chalcedonians and the absence of all the five great patriarchates.

Unsurprisingly, The council agreed with Askesists view, including the recognition of Islamic Christianity as a valid alternative to Imperial Orthodoxy, occupying a run on the social ladder just under those who followed the Imperial Church; stripped Jews from the privileges they maintained over other non-Christian religions from the days of Justinian I; took the creation and veneration of icons which were not of Christ as heretical, and banned; and removed the entire Old Testament from the Bibles.

Council of Hieria can be seen as an extreme reaction to Michael III's heretical suppression policy; however, it was also an important turning point, as it divide the unity of Church and Romans further rather than improve. From the Council of Hieria to the Second Council of Nicaea that finally overturned almost entirely of the Council of Hieria, disputes over doctrine continued for about a century, and being seen as one of reason that led to the decline of Illyrian dynasty.

Some theories had argued for the reason of Nikephoros II's controversial move to convene the Council of Hieria, and given several views. One of the points is that the people who pushed Nikephorus II to the throne were mainly older but capable bureaucrat like Nepos, and generals whom follow Askesism. As the older bureaucrat retired or die out, and the war in Egypt, Nikephorus II had to rely more on the Askesists generals. Another point was that he needed to melt down the golden statues in the city’s churches and monasteries to help fund his war efforts in egypt.

In these case, regardless of Nikephoros II's real religious views, he took Council of Hieria as a short term political and financial tool to forfill his goals, to consolidate his core support, or money for war, at the expense of the long-term.

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