20 mai 325 - 1st Council of Nicaea

Description:

Date and Location:

-Convened in 325 AD.
-Held in Nicaea (modern-day İznik, Turkey).

Purpose:

-Address the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Christ.
-Achieve consensus in the Church through an assembly representing all Christendom.

Attendees:

-Approximately 300 bishops from various regions of the Roman Empire.
-Emperor Constantine I presided over the council.

Key Outcomes:

Nicene Creed:

-Established a unified statement of Christian faith.
-Affirmed the consubstantiality (homoousios) of the Son with the Father, countering Arianism.

Arianism:

-Declared Arianism heretical, stating that Jesus Christ is of the same substance as God the Father.
-Arius and his teachings were condemned.

Easter Date:

-Standardized the calculation of the date of Easter to be independent of the Jewish Passover.

Canon Law:

-Issued 20 canons (church laws) covering various aspects of church administration and discipline.
-Addressed issues like the ordination of clergy, reconciliation of the lapsed, and the conduct of bishops and clerics.

Meletian Schism:

-Addressed the schism caused by Meletius of Lycopolis, who was reconciled under specific conditions.

Baptism:

-Recognized the validity of baptisms performed by heretics, provided they were done in the name of the Trinity.

Significance:

-Set a precedent for future ecumenical councils.
-Marked the first major effort to attain consensus in the Church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.

Legacy:

-The Nicene Creed remains a central statement of faith in Christianity.
-The council's decisions helped shape the theological foundations and organizational structure of the early Church.

*Notable Figures*
Emperor Constantine I:

-Roman Emperor who convened the council.
-Played a key role in facilitating the discussions and supporting the decisions of the council.

Athanasius of Alexandria:

-Deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria.
-A staunch opponent of Arianism and later a prominent defender of Nicene orthodoxy.

Arius:

-Priest from Alexandria whose teachings sparked the Arian controversy.
-Argued that Jesus Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with the Father.

Alexander of Alexandria:

-Bishop of Alexandria and a leading opponent of Arianism.
-Played a crucial role in the council's condemnation of Arius.

Eusebius of Nicomedia:

-Bishop of Nicomedia and a supporter of Arianism.
-Initially resisted the Nicene Creed but later signed it with reservations.

Eusebius of Caesarea:

-Bishop of Caesarea and a respected church historian.
-Initially sought a middle ground between Arianism and orthodoxy but ultimately supported the Nicene Creed.

Hosius of Corduba:

-Bishop of Corduba (Córdoba) and a close advisor to Emperor Constantine.
-Presided over many of the council sessions and was influential in shaping the Nicene Creed.

Nicholas of Myra:

-Bishop of Myra (later known as Saint Nicholas).
-Known for his piety and charitable works, he reportedly attended the council and supported the orthodox position.

Macarius of Jerusalem:

-Bishop of Jerusalem who played a significant role in the council.
-Supported the Nicene Creed and the condemnation of Arianism.

Spyridon of Trimythous:

-Bishop of Trimythous in Cyprus.
-Known for his humble background and miraculous works, he participated in the council and defended the Nicene position.

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