many centuries, since the inception of the Christian faith, people tried to make a revelation of the Lord in all its purity and lzheposledovateli distorted his human speculation.For their conviction, discuss canonical and dogmatic problems in the early Christian church were convened by the Ecumenical Councils.They united the adherents of the Christian faith from all corners of the Greco-Roman Empire, pastors and teachers of the barbarian countries.The period from IV to VIII century church history called the era of strengthening the true faith, years of ecumenical councils contributed to this in all its force.
Historical background
still alive for the First Ecumenical Council of Christians are very important and their significance is revealed in a special way.All Orthodox and Catholics should know and understand what she believed, what was the early Christian church.In the history you can see the lie of modern cults and sects, claiming supposedly similar to the dogmatic teaching.
From the rudiments of the Christian church existing permanent and slim theology, based on the basic doctrines of the faith - as a dogma of the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.In addition, some rules have developed internal church structure, time and order fulfillment services.First Ecumenical Council created specifically to preserve the tenets of the faith in its true form.
first holy convocation
First Ecumenical Council was held in 325.Among those present at the meeting of the holy fathers were the most famous Saint Spyridon, Archbishop of Myra Nicholas, Bishop of Nisibis, Athanasius, and others.
At the council was condemned and anathematized the doctrine of Arius, who denied the divinity of Christ.It was approved immutable truth about the person of the Son of God, his Father God and the equality of the divine essence itself.Church historians say that the council definition of the concept of faith, it was announced after a lengthy testing and research, that there were no opinions, giving rise to a bifurcation of thought themselves Christians.The Spirit of God led the bishops to agree.After completion of the Council of Nicaea, the heretic Arius suffered severe and sudden death, but his false teaching is still alive among the sectarian preachers.
all regulations that took Ecumenical Councils were not invented by the participants, but claims the church fathers through the participation of the Holy Spirit, and solely on the basis of Scripture.In order to be available to all who believe true doctrine, which brings Christianity, it was stated clearly and concisely in the first seven members of Creed.This form is preserved today.
second holy convocation
Second Ecumenical Council was held in 381 in Constantinople.The main reason was the development of the false doctrine of the bishop of Macedonia and its adherents Ariane Doukhobors.Heretical statements ranked as the son of God is not a consubstantial with the Father.The Holy Spirit heretics designated as the official power of the Lord, like the angels.
the second cathedral of the true Christian doctrine defended by Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory of Nyssa, George the Theologian, consisting among 150 bishops present.The Holy Fathers adopted the dogma of the consubstantiality and equality of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.In addition, the church elders approved the Nicene Creed, which to this day is a guide for the church.
third holy convocation
third ecumenical council met in Ephesus in 431, it has gathered about two hundred bishops.Fathers decided to accept the union of two natures in Christ, human and divine.It was decided to preach Christ as the perfect man and perfect God and the Virgin Mary - the Mother of God.
fourth holy convocation
Fourth Ecumenical Council, held at Chalcedon was convened specifically to eliminate all the Monophysite controversy, which began to spread around the church.Holy Assembly, composed of 650 bishops, is the sole true doctrine of the church and rejected all the existing false teachings.Fathers decreed that the Lord Christ - is the true, immutable God and true man.In his divinity he is always reborn from his father, according to the humanity, he was revealed to the light of the Virgin Mary, around like a man without sin.In an embodiment of the human and the divine incorporated into the body of Christ always, inseparable and indivisible.
worth noting that heresy Monophysite church brought much evil.False teaching was not eradicated until the end of the conciliar condemnation, and for a long time, developing dispute between followers heretics Eutyches and Nestorius.The main cause of the dispute were the works of the three followers of the church - Fyodor Mopsuetia, Ibas of Edessa, Theodoret of Cyrus.These bishops were condemned by the Emperor Justinian, but the decree has not been recognized by the Universal Church.Therefore a dispute arose on the three chapters.
fifth holy convocation
to resolve contentious issues was held the fifth Council of Constantinople.Works bishops had been severely condemned.To highlight the true followers of the faith arose the concept of orthodox Christians and the Catholic Church.Fifth Cathedral could not lead to the desired results.The Monophysites were formed in society that is completely separated from the Catholic Church and continued to inspire heresy generate controversy within Christians.
Sixth holy convocation
history of the Ecumenical Councils states that orthodox Christians struggle with heretics lasted long enough.At Constantinople was convened by the Sixth Council (Trullo), which finally was to establish the truth.At the meeting, which was attended by 170 bishops it was condemned and rejected the doctrine Monothelites and Monophysites.In Jesus Christ, confessed two natures - divine and human, and therefore two wills - divine and human.After the cathedral monofelianstvo fell, and about fifty Christian church lived relatively quietly.New vague flow appeared later on the iconoclast heresy.
seventh holy convocation
Last 7 Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 787.It was attended by 367 bishops.Saints elders rejected and condemned the Iconoclast heresy and decided that icons should not render of worship which befits only one God, and reverence and worship pochitatelnoe.Those believers who worshiped icons like God himself, excommunicated.Once it was held 7 Ecumenical Council, iconoclasm more than 25 years of troubled church.
value saints assembly
Seven Ecumenical Councils are of paramount importance in the development of the basic tenets of the Christian faith, based on what the whole modern faith.
- first - approved the divinity of Christ, his father equality with God.
- second - condemned the heresy of Macedonia, which rejects the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
- third - eliminated the heresy of Nestorius, who preached about the bifurcation of persons godman.
- fourth - dealt a final blow to the false doctrine of Monophysitism.
- fifth - completed the defeat of heresy and confession of Jesus approved of two natures - human and divine.
- sixth - Monothelites condemned and ordered to confess two wills in Christ.
- Seventh - overthrew the iconoclastic heresy.
Years ecumenical councils allowed to bring certainty and completeness in the orthodox Christian doctrine.
Eighth Ecumenical Council
More recently, Patriarch Bartholomew said that we are preparing a pan-Orthodox Eighth Ecumenical Council.The patriarch called on all leaders of the Orthodox faith to gather in Istanbul to determine the final date of the event.It is noted that 8 ecumenical council should be an occasion to strengthen the unity of the Orthodox world.However, it made the split convening representatives of the Christian faith.
assumed that the Eighth Pan-Orthodox Ecumenical Council will carry reformist rather than denouncing the character.Seven previous councils have identified and outlined the tenets of the faith in all its purity.Regarding the new holy meeting, opinions were divided.Some representatives of the Orthodox Church believe that the patriarch not only forgot about the rules of convocation, but also the multiple prophecies.They tell that the holy Ecumenical Council of 8 will be heretical.
Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils
The Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on May 31 Day of Remembrance of the Holy Fathers, who spent seven ecumenical councils.That the bishops participating in the meeting, the cathedral became a symbol of the mind of the Church.The opinion of one person never becomes the highest authority in dogmatic, legislative and intimate matters of faith.Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils are honored up to now, some of them recognized as saints.
Terms true faith
Holy Fathers left behind canons, or, in other words, the rules of the Ecumenical Councils, to be followed by the entire church hierarchy and the faithful themselves in their church and personal life.
basic rules of the first meeting of the saint:
- The clergy are not the persons who castrated themselves.
- degree in sacred can not be produced converts believers.
- priest can not have in the house a woman who is not his close relative.
- bishops should be elected by bishops and approved by the Metropolitan.
- Bishop should not take communion of persons who excommunicated the other bishops.Rule commands to convene bishops' charges twice a year.
- confirmed supreme power of some high-ranking officials on the other.It is prohibited to supply bishop without the permission of the general meeting and the Metropolitan.
- Bishop of Jerusalem on the degree of similarity Metropolitan.
- in one city may not be two bishops.
- Perverse persons can not be admitted to the priesthood.
- Fallen erupt from the sacred rank.
- Decides ways repentance backslid.
- one dies should instruct holy mysteries.
- bishops and clergy can not move without permission from the city to the castle.
- Clerics may not engage in usury.
- forbidden to kneel in the days of Pentecost on Sunday.
basic rules of the second meeting of the saint:
- every heresy must be subjected to anathema.
- bishops should not extend his power outside the area.
- Postanavlivayutsya canons decision penitent heretics.
- All charges on the rulers of the church should be investigated.
- Church receives acknowledge one God.
basic rule of the third meeting of the saint: the main canon prohibits compose a new creed.
basic rules of the fourth meeting of the saint:
- All believers must observe all that was agreed at previous councils.
- Resolution degree in church money is punished severely.
- bishops, clerics and monks should not engage in worldly affairs for the sake of gain.
- Monks should not lead disorderly permit.
- monks and clergy should not enter into military service or worldly rank.
- Clerics should not sue in secular judgment seat.
- bishops should not be in church affairs recourse to civil authorities.
- Singers and readers do not have to marry the wives of other faiths.
- monks and virgins should not marry.
- The monasteries should not handle worldly home.
A total of seven Ecumenical Councils brought a set of rules that are now available to all who believe in a special spiritual literature.
Instead of conclusion
Ecumenical Councils were able to maintain the purity of the true Christian faith in its entirety.Higher clergy still leads his flock towards the Kingdom of God, and understanding pravomysliyu canons and dogmas of the faith.
