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ApoteichisisOrthodox sources & church history
Held by many Orthodox authorities as the Eighth Ecumenical CouncilDisputed

Council of Constantinople (879 to 880)

Σύνοδος ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλει

Date
879 to 880
Location
Constantinople

Under St Photios and with Roman legates, it restored Photios, affirmed Nicaea II as the Seventh Council, and forbade additions to the Creed.

Historical background

  • Convened to end the schism surrounding Photios, the council brought together representatives of the ancient patriarchates, including delegates of Pope John VIII.

Principal dispute

  • The legitimacy of Photios and additions to the Nicene and Constantinopolitan Creed (the Filioque).

Dogmatic result

  • Photios was recognised, the Seventh Council confirmed, and any addition to or subtraction from the Creed prohibited.

Heresies and persons condemned

  • Any addition to or subtraction from the Creed, the standing judgment later applied to the Filioque.

Later reception

  • Counted by many Byzantine and later Orthodox writers as the Eighth Ecumenical Council; this status is not universally granted, hence the label.

Related saints

Bibliography

  • Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum … Collectio, vol. 17.