Fourth Ecumenical CouncilDocumented
Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon)
Δ΄ Οἰκουμενικὴ Σύνοδος
- Date
- 451
- Location
- Chalcedon
Condemned the one nature doctrine of Eutyches and confessed the one Christ in two natures, unconfused, unchanged, undivided, unseparated.
Historical background
- Eutyches taught that after the union Christ has only one nature. The “Robber Council” of Ephesus (449) under Dioscorus vindicated him by violence, St Flavian of Constantinople died of its blows. Marcian and St Pulcheria convened some 630 fathers at Chalcedon.
Principal dispute
- Whether the incarnate Christ subsists in one nature or in two, and the status of the violence of 449.
Dogmatic result
- The Definition: one and the same Christ, perfect in Godhead and perfect in manhood, made known in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation, the Tome of St Leo received as the faith of the fathers.
- The council's language for the deposed, “deprived of the grace that belongs to the priesthood”, is a key witness that deposition removes what was possessed (see the article on defilement).
Heresies and persons condemned
- Eutyches and the one nature (Monophysite) doctrine.
- Dioscorus of Alexandria, deposed for his lawless acts at the Robber Council of 449.
- Nestorius' division of Christ, condemned anew.
Key canons
- Canon 28
On the prerogatives of Constantinople, historically contested with Rome.
Later reception
- Received by the Church as the Fourth Ecumenical Council; rejected by the anti-Chalcedonian (Non-Chalcedonian) communions, the origin of that continuing separation.
Related saints
Related cases
Bibliography
- ACO tom. 2 (Acts of Chalcedon).
- R. Price & M. Gaddis (tr.), The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon.