Fifth Ecumenical CouncilDocumented
Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople II)
Ε΄ Οἰκουμενικὴ Σύνοδος
- Date
- 553
- Location
- Constantinople
Condemned the Three Chapters and the Origenist errors, confirming Cyril's reading of Chalcedon, and furnishing this library's key precedent on communion and defilement.
Historical background
- Under Justinian the council examined the “Three Chapters”, the person and writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret's writings against Cyril, and the letter ascribed to Ibas, together with the Origenist speculations then troubling the monasteries.
Principal dispute
- Whether the Three Chapters could stand with Chalcedon, and the fate of the Origenist doctrines.
Dogmatic result
- The Three Chapters condemned; Chalcedon confirmed in its Cyrilline sense; the preexistence of souls and the Origenist system anathematized.
- In the connected proceedings the council ratified the deposition of heretical hierarchs on the stated ground that further communion with them defiles the purity of the Mysteries, the conciliar root of the doctrine of μολυσμός studied here.
Heresies and persons condemned
- The Three Chapters: Theodore of Mopsuestia and his writings; Theodoret's writings against St Cyril; the letter ascribed to Ibas of Edessa.
- Origen, Evagrius and Didymus, with the doctrine of the preexistence of souls and the connected speculations.
- In the connected acts: Anthimus, Severus, Peter and Zooras, with the principle that communion with them defiles the sacred liturgies.
Later reception
- Received as the Fifth Ecumenical Council after Pope Vigilius' final assent.
Related cases
Bibliography
- ACO tom. 4 (Acts of Constantinople II).
- R. Price (tr.), The Acts of the Council of Constantinople of 553.