Second Ecumenical CouncilDocumented
Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople I)
Β΄ Οἰκουμενικὴ Σύνοδος
- Date
- 381
- Location
- Constantinople
Condemned the deniers of the Holy Spirit's divinity and completed the Creed used at every Liturgy to this day.
Historical background
- After decades of Arian ascendancy, Theodosius I gathered 150 fathers. St Meletius of Antioch opened the council and reposed during it; St Gregory the Theologian presided for a time.
Principal dispute
- The divinity of the Holy Spirit, and the remnants of Arian and Apollinarian error.
Dogmatic result
- The Nicene and Constantinopolitan Creed: the Spirit is “the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified.”
Heresies and persons condemned
- The Pneumatomachians (“Spirit fighters,” Macedonians), denying the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
- Apollinarianism, denying Christ a human rational soul.
- Eunomians, Anomoeans and the remaining Arian parties; Sabellian confusion of the Persons (canon 1).
Later reception
- Received as the Second Ecumenical Council; its Creed is the Church's baptismal and eucharistic confession.
Related saints
Bibliography
- Canons and Creed of 381 (ΡΠΣ 2; Pedalion).
- NPNF 2nd ser., vol. 14 (The Seven Ecumenical Councils).