7 Ecumenical Council briefly. Briefly about church cathedrals. VI Ecumenical Council

Councils are called ecumenical, convened on behalf of the entire Church to resolve questions about the truths of the dogma and recognized by the entire Church as the sources of Her dogmatic Tradition and canon law. There were seven such Councils:

The 1st Ecumenical (I Nicene) Council (325) was convened by St. imp. Constantine the Great to condemn the heresy of the Alexandrian presbyter Arius, who taught that the Son of God is only the highest creation of the Father and is called the Son not in essence, but by adoption. The 318 bishops of the Council condemned this teaching as heresy and affirmed the truth about the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father and His pre-eternal birth. They also compiled the first seven articles of the Creed and recorded the privileges of the bishops of the four major metropolitanates: Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem (canons 6 and 7).

The II Ecumenical (I Constantinople) Council (381) completed the formation of the Trinitarian dogma. He was called by St. imp. Theodosius the Great for the final condemnation of various followers of Arius, including the Macedonian Doukhobors, who rejected the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, considering Him to be the creation of the Son. 150 eastern bishops affirmed the truth about the consubstantiality of the Holy Spirit "proceeding from the Father" with the Father and the Son, made up the five remaining members of the Creed and recorded the advantage of the Bishop of Constantinople as the second in honor after Rome - "because this city is the second Rome" (3- th canon).

The III Ecumenical (I Ephesus) Council (431) opened the era of Christological disputes (about the Person of Jesus Christ). It was convened to condemn the heresy of the Bishop of Constantinople Nestorius, who taught that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth common man Christ, with whom God subsequently united morally and graciously dwelt in Him, as in a temple. Thus the divine and human natures in Christ remained separate. The 200 bishops of the Council affirmed the truth that both natures in Christ are united into one God-human Person (Hypostasis).

The IV Ecumenical (Chalcedon) Council (451) was convened to condemn the heresy of Archimandrite Eutyches of Constantinople, who, denying Nestorianism, fell into the opposite extreme and began to teach about the complete merging of the Divine and human nature in Christ. At the same time, the Divinity inevitably devoured humanity (the so-called Monophysitism), 630 bishops of the Council affirmed the antinomic truth that the two natures in Christ are united "unmistakably and invariably" (against Eutychius), "inseparably and inseparably" (against Nestorius). The canons of the Council finally fixed the so-called. "Pentarchy" - the ratio of the five patriarchates.

The V-th Ecumenical (II Constantinople) Council (553) was convened by St. emperor Justinian I to pacify the Monophysite turmoil that arose after the Council of Chalcedon. The Monophysites accused the adherents of the Council of Chalcedon of hidden Nestorianism and in support of this they referred to three Syrian bishops (Theodore of Mopsuet, Theodoret of Cyrus and Iva of Edessa), in whose writings Nestorian opinions really sounded. In order to facilitate the accession of the Monophysites to Orthodoxy, the Council condemned delusions of the three teachers ("three chapters"), as well as the delusions of Origen.

The VI Ecumenical (III Constantinople) Council (680-681; 692) was convened to condemn the heresy of the Monothelites, who, although they recognized two natures in Jesus Christ, united them by one Divine will. The Council of 170 Bishops affirmed the truth that Jesus Christ, as true god and the true Man has two wills, but his human will is not opposed, but submissive to the Divine. Thus, the revelation of the Christological dogma was completed.

The direct continuation of this Council was the so-called. The Trulli Council, convened 11 years later in the Trulli Chambers royal palace to establish the established canonical code. He is also called the "Fifth-Sixth", implying that he canonically completed the acts of the Vth and VIth Ecumenical Councils.

The 7th Ecumenical (II Nicaean) Council (787) was convened by Empress Irina to condemn the so-called. iconoclastic heresy - the last imperial heresy, which rejected icon veneration as idolatry. The Council revealed the dogmatic essence of the icon and approved the obligatory nature of icon veneration.

Note. The Ecumenical Orthodox Church has stopped at the seven Ecumenical Councils and confesses Itself as the Church of the seven Ecumenical Councils. so-called. The Ancient Orthodox (or Oriental Orthodox) Churches stopped at the first three Ecumenical Councils, not accepting the IVth, Chalcedonian (the so-called non-Chalcedonites). The Western Roman Catholic Church continues its dogmatic development and already has 21 Councils (moreover, the last 14 Councils are also called Ecumenical). Protestant denominations do not recognize Ecumenical Councils at all.

The division into "East" and "West" is rather conditional. Nevertheless, it is convenient for showing a schematic history of Christianity. On the right side of the diagram

Eastern Christianity, i.e. predominantly Orthodoxy. On the left side

Western Christianity, i.e. Roman Catholicism and Protestant denominations.

Since the era of apostolic preaching, the Church has solved all important matters and problems at meetings of community heads - councils.

To solve problems related to the Christian dispensation, the rulers of Byzantium established Ecumenical Councils where all the bishops from the churches were called.

Undeniable true positions were formulated at the Ecumenical Councils Christian life, the rules of church life, management, everyone's favorite canons.

Ecumenical councils in the history of Christianity

The dogmas and canons established at convocations are obligatory for all churches. The Orthodox Church recognizes 7 Ecumenical Councils.

The tradition of holding meetings to resolve important issues dates back to the first century AD.

The very first convocation was held in 49, according to some sources in 51 in the holy city of Jerusalem. They called him Apostolic. At the convocation, the question was put forward of the observance of the postulates of the law of Moses by Orthodox pagans.

Faithful disciples of Christ took joint orders. Then the Apostle Matthias was chosen to take the place of the fallen Judas Iscariot.

The convocations were Local with the presence of ministers of the Church, priests, and lay people. There were also universal ones. They were convened on matters of first importance, of paramount importance for everything. Orthodox world. All the fathers, mentors, preachers of the whole earth appeared at them.

The ecumenical meetings are the highest leadership of the Church, carried out under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

First Ecumenical Council

It was held at the beginning of the summer of 325 in the city of Nicaea, from where the name Nicaea came from. In those days, Constantine the Great ruled.

The main issue at the convocation was the heretical propaganda of Arius. The Alexandrian presbyter denied the Lord and the completed birth of the second essence of the Son of Jesus Christ from God the Father. He propagated that only the Redeemer is the supreme Creation.

The Convocation denied the false propaganda, decreed the position of the Deity: The Redeemer is the Real God, born of the Lord the Father, He is just as eternal as the Father. He is born, not created. And one with the Lord.

At the convocation, the initial 7 sentences of the Creed were approved. The meeting established the celebration of Easter on the first Sunday service with the arrival of the full moon, which came at the spring equinox.

Based on the 20th postulate of the Universal Acts, they banned prostrations on Sunday services, since this day is an image of a human being in the Kingdom of God.

Ⅱ Ecumenical Council

The next convocation was held in 381 in Constantinople.

Discussed the heretical propaganda of Macedon, who served in Ariana. He did not recognize the Divine nature of the Holy Spirit, believed that He is not God, but was created by Him and serves the Lord the Father and the Lord the Son.

The disastrous situation was curtailed and the deed was established, which says that the Spirit, the Father and the Son in the Divine person are equal.

The last 5 sentences were entered into the Creed. Then it was finished.

III Ecumenical Council

Ephesus was the territory of the next assembly in 431.

Sent to discuss the heretical propaganda of Nestorius. The archbishop assured that the Mother of God gave birth ordinary person. God united with him and dwelt in Him, as if within the walls of a temple.

The archbishop called the Savior the God-bearer, and the Mother of God - the Mother of God. The position was overthrown and they decreed the recognition of two natures in Christ - human and divine. They were ordered to confess the Savior as the real Lord and Man, and the Mother of God as the Mother of God.

They banned any amendments to the written provisions of the Creed.

IV Ecumenical Council

The point was Chalcedon in 451.

The meeting raised the question of the heretical propaganda of Eutyches. He denied the human nature of the Redeemer. The archimandrite argued that in Jesus Christ there is one Divine hypostasis.

Heresy began to be called Monophysitism. The convocation overthrew it and established the act—the Savior is the real Lord and a true man, like us, except for the sinful nature.

During the incarnation of the Redeemer, God and man were in Him in One essence and became indestructible, unceasing and inseparable.

V Ecumenical Council

Held in Tsargrad in 553.

On the agenda was the discussion of the creations of three clergy who departed to the Lord in the fifth century. Theodore of Mopsuetsky was the mentor of Nestorius. Theodoret of Cyrus acted as a zealous opponent of the teachings of St. Cyril.

The third, Yves of Edessa, wrote a work to Marius the Persian, where he spoke disrespectfully of the decision of the third meeting against Nestorius. The written epistles were overthrown. Theodoret and Iva repented, abandoned their false doctrine, and rested in peace with God. Theodore did not repent, and he was condemned.

VI Ecumenical Council

The meeting was held in 680 in the unchanged Constantinople.

Aimed at condemning the propaganda of the Monothelites. The heretics knew that the Redeemer had 2 principles - human and Divine. But their position was based on the fact that the Lord has only God's will. The well-known monk Maxim the Confessor fought against heretics.

The convocation overthrew heretical teachings and instructed to honor both essences in the Lord - Divine and human. The will of man in our Lord does not oppose, but submits to the Divine.

After 11 years, they began to resume meetings at the Council. They were called the Fifth-Sixth. They made additions to the acts of the Fifth and Sixth convocations. They resolved the problems of church discipline, thanks to them it is necessary to manage the Church - 85 provisions of the holy apostles, the acts of 13 fathers, the rules of six Ecumenical and 7 Local Councils.

These provisions were supplemented at the Seventh Council and introduced the Nomocanon.

VII Ecumenical Council

Held in Nicaea in 787 to reject the heretical position of iconoclasm.

60 years ago, the imperial false doctrine arose. Leo the Isaurian wanted to help the Mohammedans convert to the Christian faith faster, so he ordered the abolition of icon veneration. False doctrine lived for another 2 generations.

The convocation denied heresy and recognized the veneration of icons depicting the Crucifixion of the Lord. But the persecution continued for another 25 years. In 842, a Local Council was held, where icon veneration was irrevocably established.

The meeting approved the day of celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is now celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent.

The Orthodox Church recognizes seven Councils as "Ecumenical":

"Almost" Ecumenical Councils

A number of councils were convened as Ecumenical Councils, but for some reason were not recognized by the Orthodox Church as Ecumenical. Most often this was due to the fact that their decisions refused to sign the Pope. Nevertheless, these cathedrals enjoy the highest authority in Orthodox Church and some Orthodox theologians believe that they should be included in the Ecumenical Councils.

Since the 1920s, preparations for a Pan-Orthodox Council have been going on. Although in discussions around this Council it was often called "(VIII) Ecumenical," this wording was repeatedly officially rejected by the hierarchy of various local Churches. The resulting Council of Crete (2016) was unable to gather representatives of all the local Churches and did not receive universal recognition in the Orthodox Church.

Rogue cathedrals

Councils of robbers are church councils that the Church has rejected as heretical. Often such Councils were held under external pressure or with violations of procedure. Below are the robber Councils that were organized as Ecumenical:

Acceptance of the Ecumenical Councils by non-Orthodox

• Nestorians - recognize only the First and Second Ecumenical Councils

• Anti-Chalcedonites - recognize only the First, Second and Third Ecumenical Councils

• Many traditional denominations in Protestantism, like Anglicans and Lutherans, recognize all seven Ecumenical Councils, but do not give them the same doctrinal authority as Orthodox or Roman Catholics.
• Many other Protestant denominations reject ecumenical councils as an idea at all, based on the belief that the Bible alone is the source of doctrine (the principle of Sola scriptura)

• Roman Catholics - Recognize all the Seven Ecumenical Councils, and in addition consider as Ecumenical a number of Councils rejected by the Orthodox Church or held after the falling away of the Roman Church from Orthodoxy. The latter include:
• VIII Ecumenical Council, (t.n. IV) Constantinople (869-870)
• IX Ecumenical Council, I Lateran (1123)
• X Ecumenical Council, II Lateran (1139)
• XI Ecumenical Council, III Lateran (1179)
• XII Ecumenical Council, IV Lateran (1215)
• XII Ecumenical Council, I of Lyons (1245)
• XIV Ecumenical Council, II of Lyons (1274)
• XV Ecumenical Council, Viennese (1311-1312)
• XVI Ecumenical Council, Constance (1414)

Ecumenical councils are meetings of bishops (and other representatives of the highest clergy of the world) of the Christian Church at the international level.

At such meetings, the most important issues of the dogmatic, political-ecclesiastical and disciplinary-judicial plan are submitted for general discussion and agreement.

What are the signs of the Ecumenical Christian Councils? Names and short descriptions seven official meetings? When and where did they take place? What was decided at these international meetings? And much more - this article will tell about it.

Description

Orthodox Ecumenical Councils were originally important events for Christendom. Each time, issues were considered that subsequently influenced the course of the entire church history.

The need for such activities catholic faith less great, since many aspects of the church are regulated by the central religious leader - the Pope.

The Eastern Church - the Orthodox - has a deeper need for such unifying meetings, which are of a large-scale nature. Since there are also quite a lot of questions, and all of them require a solution at an authoritative spiritual level.

Catholics in the entire history of Christianity recognize 21 Ecumenical Councils that have taken place today, Orthodox - only 7 (officially recognized), which were held back in the 1st millennium from the birth of Christ.

Each such event necessarily considers several important topics of a religious nature, which are provided to the attention of the participants. different opinions authoritative clerics, the most important decisions are made unanimously, which then have an impact on the entire Christian world.

A few words from history

In the early centuries (from the Nativity of Christ), any church meeting was called a cathedral. A little later (in the 3rd century AD), such a term began to refer to meetings of bishops to resolve important issues of a religious nature.

After the proclamation of tolerance towards Christians by Emperor Constantine, the highest clergy were able to periodically gather in a common cathedral. And the church throughout the empire began to hold Ecumenical Councils.

Representatives of the clergy of all local churches took part in such meetings. The head of these councils, as a rule, was appointed by the Roman emperor, who gave all the important decisions taken during these meetings the level of state laws.

The emperor was also authorized:

• convene councils;
• make financial contributions towards some of the costs associated with each meeting;
• designate a venue;
• observe order through the appointment of their officials and so on.

Signs of the Ecumenical Council

There are some distinctive features, which are unique to the Ecumenical Council:

Jerusalem

It is also called the Apostolic Cathedral. This is the first such meeting in the history of the church, which took place approximately in 49 AD (according to some sources - in 51) - in Jerusalem.

The issues that were considered at the Jerusalem Council concerned the Jews and the observance of the custom of circumcision (all for and against).

This meeting was attended by the apostles themselves - the disciples of Jesus Christ.

First Cathedral

There are only seven ecumenical councils (officially recognized).

The very first was organized in Nicaea - in 325 AD. It is called so - the First Council of Nicaea.

It was at this meeting that Emperor Constantine, who was not a Christian at that time (and changed paganism to faith in the One God only before his death, having been baptized), announced his identity as the head of the state church.

He also appointed Christianity as the main religion of Byzantium and the Eastern Roman Empire.

At the first Ecumenical Council, the Symbol of Faith was approved.

And this meeting also became epochal in the history of Christianity, when there was a rupture of the church with the Jewish faith.

Emperor Constantine approved the principles that reflected the attitude of Christians towards the Jewish people - this is contempt and separation from them.

After the first Ecumenical Council, the Christian church began to submit to secular government. At the same time, she lost her main values: the opportunity to give people spiritual life and joy, to be a saving force, to possess a prophetic spirit, light.

In fact, they made a "murderer" out of the church, a persecutor who persecuted and killed innocent people. It was terrible time for Christianity.

Second Cathedral

The second Ecumenical Council was held in the city of Constantinople - in 381. In honor of this, I was named Constantinople.

Several important issues were discussed at this meeting:

1. On the essence of the concepts of God the Father, God the Son (Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.
2. Affirmation of the inviolability of the Nicene Symbol.
3. A general criticism of the judgments of Bishop Apollinaris from Syria (a fairly educated person of his time, an authoritative spiritual personality, a defender of Orthodoxy against Arianism).
4. The establishment of the form of a conciliar court, which meant the acceptance of heretics into the bosom of the church after their sincere repentance (through baptism, chrismation).

A serious event of the second Ecumenical Council was the death of its first chairman, Meletios of Antioch (who combined meekness and a zealous attitude towards Orthodoxy). It happened in the very first days of the meetings.

After that, Gregory of Nazianzus (the Theologian) took the board of the cathedral into his own hands for some time. But soon he refused to take part in the meeting and left the cathedra in Constantinople.

As a result, Gregory of Nyssa became the main person of this cathedral. He was a model of a man leading a holy life.

Third Cathedral

This official Christian event of an international scale took place in the summer, in 431, in the city of Ephesus (and therefore is called Ephesus).

The third Ecumenical Council was held under the leadership and with the permission of Emperor Theodosius the Younger.

The main topic of the meeting was the false teaching of Patriarch Nestorius of Constantinople. His vision has been criticized that:

• Christ has two hypostases - divine (spiritual) and human (earthly), that the Son of God was born initially as a man, and then Divine power united with him.
• The Most Pure Mary must be called the Mother of Christ (instead of the Mother of God).

With these bold assurances, Nestorius, in the eyes of other clergymen, rebelled against the previously approved opinions that Christ was born from an immaculate conception and that he atoned for the sins of men with his life.

Even before the convocation of the council, this obstinate Patriarch of Constantinople tried to reason with the Patriarch of Alexandria - Cyril, but in vain.

About 200 clergy arrived at the Ephesus Cathedral, including: Juvenal of Jerusalem, Cyril of Alexandria, Memon of Ephesus, representatives of St. Celestine (the Pope) and others.

Upon completion of this international event the heresy of Nestorius was condemned. This was dressed in the appropriate entries - "12 anathematisms against Nestorius" and "8 rules."

Fourth Cathedral

An event took place in the city of Chalcedon - in 451 (Chalcedon). At that time, the ruler was Emperor Marcian - the son of a warrior by birth, but who won the glory of a brave soldier, who, by the will of the Almighty, became the head of the empire, marrying the daughter of Theodosius - Pulcheria.

The fourth Ecumenical Council was attended by about 630 bishops, among them: the Patriarch of Jerusalem - Juvenaly, the Patriarch of Tsaregrad - Anatoly and others. A clergyman also arrived - the envoy of the Pope, Leo.

There were also negatively inclined representatives of the church among the rest. For example, Patriarch Maximus of Antioch, who was sent by Dioscorus, and Eutyches with like-minded people.

The following issues were discussed at this meeting:

• condemnation of the false teachings of the Monophysites, who claimed that Christ had an exclusively divine nature;
• the ruling that the Lord Jesus Christ is true God and also true Man.
• about the representatives of the Armenian Church, who, in their vision of faith, united with the religious trend - the Monophysites.

Fifth Cathedral

A meeting took place in the city of Constantinople - in 553 (because the cathedral was named II Constantinople). The ruler at that time was the holy noble king Justinian I.

What was decided at the Fifth Ecumenical Council?

First of all, the orthodoxy of the bishops was considered, who during their lifetime reflected Nestorian thoughts in their works. This:

• Willow of Edessa;
• Theodore of Mopsuetsky;
• Theodoret of Kirsky.

Thus, main theme Council was the question "On the three chapters."

Even at the international meeting, the bishops considered the teachings of presbyter Origen (he once said that the soul lives until incarnation on earth), who lived in the third century from the birth of Christ.

They also condemned heretics who did not agree with the opinion about the general resurrection of people.

165 bishops gathered here. The Cathedral was opened by Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople.

The Pope - Virgil - was invited to the meeting three times, but he refused to attend. And when the cathedral council threatened to sign a decree excommunicating him from the church, he agreed with the opinion of the majority and signed the cathedral document - an anathema regarding Theodore of Mopsuet, Iva and Theodoret.

Sixth Cathedral

This international assembly history preceded. The Byzantine government decided to join the Monophysites to the Orthodox Church. This led to the emergence of a new trend - monothelites.

IN early VII century the emperor of the Byzantine Empire was Heraclius. He was against religious divisions, and therefore he made every effort to unite everyone into one faith. Even had the intention to assemble a cathedral for this. But until the end the issue was not resolved.

When Constantine Pagonatus ascended the throne, the division between Orthodox Christians and Monothelites again became tangible. The emperor decided that Orthodoxy must triumph.

In 680, the sixth Ecumenical Council was assembled in the city of Constantinople (called more III Constantinople or Trulli). And before that, Constantine deposed the Patriarch of Constantinople named Theodore, who belonged to the Monothelite movement. And instead of him he appointed presbyter George, who supported the dogmas of the Orthodox Church.

A total of 170 bishops came to the Sixth Ecumenical Council. Including representatives of the Pope, Agathon.

Christian teaching supported the idea of ​​two wills of Christ - divine and earthly (and the Monothelites had a different vision on this matter). This was approved at the council.

The meeting lasted until 681. There were 18 meetings of bishops in total.

Seventh Council

Held in 787 in the city of Nicaea (or II Nicaea). The seventh Ecumenical Council was convened by Empress Irina, who wanted to officially return the right of Christians to venerate holy images (she herself secretly worshiped icons).

At an official international meeting, the heresy of iconoclasm was condemned (which made it possible to legally place icons and faces of saints in churches next to the holy cross), and 22 canons were restored.

Thanks to the Seventh Ecumenical Council, it became possible to honor and worship icons, but it is important to direct your mind and heart to the living Lord and Mother of God.

About cathedrals and holy apostles

Thus, in just the 1st millennium from the birth of Christ, 7 Ecumenical Councils were held (official and several more local ones, which also decided important questions religion).

They were necessary in order to protect the ministers of the church from mistakes and lead to repentance (if any).

It was at such international meetings that not just metropolitans and bishops gathered, but real holy men, spiritual fathers. These individuals served the Lord with all their lives and wholeheartedly, made important decisions, approved the rules and canons.

Marrying them meant a serious violation of the idea of ​​the teachings of Christ and his followers.

The first such rules (in Greek "oros") were also called the "Rules of the Holy Apostles" and Ecumenical Councils. There are 85 items in total. They were proclaimed and officially approved at the Trull (sixth Ecumenical) Council.

These rules originate from apostolic tradition and were originally preserved only in oral form. They were passed from mouth to mouth - through the apostolic successors. And thus, the rules were conveyed to the fathers of the Trulli Ecumenical Council

Holy Fathers

In addition to the Ecumenical (international) meetings of clerics, local meetings of bishops were also organized - from a particular area.

Decisions and decrees that were approved at such councils (of local significance) were also subsequently accepted by the entire Orthodox Church. Including the opinions of the holy fathers, who were also called the "Pillars of the Church."

Such holy men include: the martyr Peter, Gregory the Wonderworker, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Athanasius the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria.

And their positions regarding the Orthodox faith and the entire teaching of Christ were summarized in the "Rules of the Holy Fathers" of the Ecumenical Councils.

According to the predictions of these spiritual men, the official eighth international meeting will not be of a true nature, it will be rather a "gathering of the Antichrist."

Recognition of cathedrals by the church

According to history, the Orthodox, Catholic and other Christian churches have formed their opinions regarding the number of international cathedrals and their number.

Therefore, only two have official status: the first and second Ecumenical Councils. These are recognized by all churches without exception. Including the Assyrian Church of the East.

The first three Ecumenical Councils are recognized as the Old Eastern Orthodox Church. And the Byzantine - all seven.

According to the Catholic Church, 21 World Councils took place in 2,000 years.

Which cathedrals are recognized as Orthodox and Catholic churches?

1. Far Eastern, Catholic and Orthodox (Jerusalem, I Nicaea and I Constantinople).
2. Far Eastern (with the exception of Assyrian), Catholic and Orthodox (Ephesus Cathedral).
3. Orthodox and Catholic (Chalcedonian, II and III Constantinople, II Nicaea).
4. Catholic (IV Constantinople 869-870; I, II, III Lateran XII century, IV Lateran XIII century; I, II Lyons XIII century; Vienne 1311-1312; Constance 1414-1418; Ferrara-Florentine 1438- 1445; V Lateran 1512-1517; Tridentine 1545-1563; Vatican I 1869-1870; Vatican II 1962-1965);
5. Councils that were recognized as Ecumenical theologians and representatives of Orthodoxy (IV Constantinople 869-870; V Constantinople 1341-1351).

Rogue

The history of the church also knows such councils that claimed to be called Ecumenical. But they have not been accepted by all historical churches for a number of reasons.

The main of the robber cathedrals:

• Antioch (341 AD).
• Milanese (355).
• Ephesian robber (449).
• the first iconoclastic (754).
• the second iconoclastic (815).

Preparation of Pan-Orthodox Councils

In the 20th century, the Orthodox Church tried to prepare for the eighth Ecumenical Council. It was planned in the 20s, 60s, 90s of the last century. And also in 2009 and 2016 of this century.

But, unfortunately, all attempts so far have ended in nothing. Although the Russian Orthodox Church is in a state of spiritual activity.

As follows from practical experience regarding this event of international scale, only the same one that will be subsequent can recognize the Council as Ecumenical.

In 2016, it was planned to organize a Pan-Orthodox Council, which was to be held in Istanbul. But so far only a meeting of representatives of Orthodox churches has taken place there.

The planned eighth Ecumenical Council will be attended by 24 bishops - representatives of local churches.

The event will be held by the Patriarchate of Constantinople - in the church of St. Irene.

The following topics will be discussed at this meeting:

• the meaning of the Fast, its observance;
• obstacles to marriage;
• calendar;
• church autonomy;
• the relationship of the Orthodox Church to others Christian denominations;
• Orthodox faith and society.

This will be a significant event for all believers, as well as for the Christian world as a whole.

conclusions

Thus, summing up all the above, the Ecumenical Councils are truly important for the Christian Church. These meetings take place significant events which are reflected in the entire teaching of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths.

And yet these cathedrals, which are characterized international level are of great historical value. Since such events occur only in cases of special importance and necessity.

WHY WERE WERE NEEDED FOR THE Ecumenical Councils?
If in one or another scientific discipline incorrect theoretical postulates are accepted, then experimental experiments and studies will not lead to the expected result. And all efforts will be in vain, because. the results of many labors will be false. Same with Vera. The Apostle Paul formulated this very clearly: “If there is no Resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen; but if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain, and our Faith is also in vain” (1 Cor. 15:13-14). Vain faith means faith that is not true, wrong, or false.
In science, due to false assumptions, some groups of researchers, or even entire scientific associations, can work uselessly for many years. Until they fall apart and disappear. In matters of Faith, if it is false, huge religious associations, entire nations, and states suffer. And they perish, both physically and spiritually; both in time and in eternity. There are many examples of this in history. That is why the Holy Spirit of God gathered at the Ecumenical Councils the holy fathers - the best representatives of humanity and "angels in the flesh", so that they would develop such dogmas that could protect the Holy True Orthodox Faith from lies and heresies for millennia to come. There were seven Ecumenical Councils in the true Orthodox Church of Christ: 1. Nicene, 2. Constantinople, 3. Ephesus, 4. Chalcedon, 5. 2nd Constantinople. 6. Constantinople 3rd and 7. Nicene 2nd. All decisions of the Ecumenical Councils began with the formula "Desire (please) the Holy Spirit and us ...". Therefore, all Councils could not be effective without its main participant - God the Holy Spirit.
FIRST Ecumenical Council
The First Ecumenical Council took place in 325 g., in the mountains. Nikea, under the emperor Constantine the Great. This Council was called against the false teaching of the Alexandrian priest Aria, which rejected Divinity and eternal birth of the second Person of the Holy Trinity, Son of God, from God the Father; and taught that the Son of God is only the highest creation. The Council was attended by 318 bishops, among whom were: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. James of Nisibis, St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, St. Athanasius the Great, who at that time was still in the rank of deacon, etc. The Council condemned and rejected the heresy of Arius and approved the indisputable truth - the dogma that the Son of God is the true God, born of God the Father before all ages and is just as eternal as God the Father; He is begotten, not created, and consubstantial with God the Father.
In order for all Orthodox Christians to know exactly the true teaching of the faith, it was clearly and concisely stated in the first seven members of the Creed.
At the same Council, it was decided for everyone to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon and after the Jewish Passover according to the Julian calendar. It was also decreed for priests to be married, and many other rules were laid down.
SECOND Ecumenical Council
The Second Ecumenical Council took place in 381 g., in the mountains. Constantinople, under the emperor Theodosius the Great. This Council was convened against the false teachings of the former Arian Bishop of Constantinople Macedonia, which rejected Deity of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit; he taught that the Holy Spirit is not God, and called Him a creature or a created power, and at the same time serving God the Father and God the Son, just like the Angels.
The Council was attended by 150 bishops, among whom were Saints Gregory the Theologian (he was the chairman of the Council), Gregory of Nyssa, Meletios of Antioch, Amphilochius of Iconium, Cyril of Jerusalem, and others. An invaluable role in resolving trinitarian disputes (about Holy Trinity) were provided by the holy fathers - Cappadocians: St. Basil the Great (330-379), his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa (335-394), and his friend and ascetic St. Gregory the Theologian (329-389). They were able to express the meaning of the Orthodox dogma about the trinity of God in the formula: “one essence – three hypostases”. And this helped to overcome the church schism. Their teaching: God the Father, God the Word (God the Son) and God the Holy Spirit are three hypostases, or three persons of one essence - God the Trinity. God the Word and God the Holy Spirit have an eternal beginning: God the Father. God the Word is eternally “begotten” only from the Father, and the Holy Spirit eternally “emerges” only from the Father, as from the only beginning. "Birth" and "Exodus" are two different concepts, not identical to each other. Thus, God the Father has only one Son - God the Word - Jesus Christ. At the Council, the heresy of Macedonia was condemned and rejected. Cathedral approved the dogma of the equality and consubstantiality of God the Holy Spirit with God the Father and God the Son.
The cathedral also added Nicene Creed five parts in which the doctrine is set forth: on the Holy Spirit, on the Church, on the sacraments, on resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Thus compiled Niketsaregrad Creed, which serves as a guide for the Church for all time, and to this day. It is the main exposition of the meaning of the Orthodox Faith and is proclaimed by the people at every Divine Liturgy.
THIRD Ecumenical Council
The Third Ecumenical Council took place in 431 g., in the mountains. Ephesus, under the emperor Theodosius II the Younger. The Council was convened against the false teachings of the Archbishop of Constantinople Nestoria who impiously taught that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to a simple man Christ, with whom, later, God united morally and dwelt in Him, as in a temple, just as He formerly dwelt in Moses and other prophets. Therefore, Nestorius called the Lord Jesus Christ Himself a God-bearer, and not a God-man, and called the Most Holy Virgin a Christ-bearer, and not the Mother of God. The Council was attended by 200 bishops. The Council condemned and rejected the heresy of Nestorius and decided to recognize the union in Jesus Christ, from the time of the incarnation, of two natures: Divine and human; and determined: to confess Jesus Christ perfect God and a perfect Man, and the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Theotokos. The Council also approved the Nicetsaregrad Creed and strictly forbade making any changes or additions to it.
FOURTH Ecumenical Council
The Fourth Ecumenical Council took place in 451, in the mountains. Chalcedon, under the emperor Marcians. The council was convened against the false teachings of the archimandrite Eutychius who rejected human nature in the Lord Jesus Christ. Refuting heresy and defending the Divine dignity of Jesus Christ, he himself fell into the other extreme, and taught that in the Lord Jesus Christ, human nature was completely absorbed by the Divine, therefore, only one Divine nature should be recognized in Him. This false doctrine is called Monophysitism, and his followers are called Monophysites(one-naturalists).
The Council was attended by 650 bishops. However, the correct definition of faith, which defeated the heresy of Eutyches and Dioscorus, was achieved by the works of St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. John of Antioch and St. Leo, Pope of Rome. Thus, the Council formulated Orthodox teaching Churches: Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true Man: according to Divinity He is eternally born of God the Father, according to humanity He was born from the Holy Spirit and of the Blessed Virgin and is like us in every way, except sin. At the incarnation (birth from the Virgin Mary), the Divinity and humanity were united in Him as a single Person, unchanging and unchanging(against Eutyches) inseparable and inseparable(against Nestorius).
FIFTH Ecumenical Council
The Fifth Ecumenical Council took place in 553, in the mountains. Constantinople, under the famous emperor Justinians I. The council was convened over disputes between the followers of Nestorius and Eutyches. The main subject of controversy was the writings of three teachers of the Syrian Church, who were famous in their time, namely Theodore of Mopsuet, Theodoret of Cyrus and Willow of Edessa in which Nestorian errors were clearly expressed, and at the Fourth Ecumenical Council nothing was mentioned about these three writings. The Nestorians, in a dispute with the Eutychians (Monophysites), referred to these writings, and the Eutychians found in this a pretext to reject the 4th Ecumenical Council itself and slander the Orthodox Ecumenical Church that she allegedly deviated into Nestorianism.
The Council was attended by 165 bishops. The Council condemned all three writings and Theodore of Mopsuet himself, as not repentant, and regarding the other two, the condemnation was limited only to their Nestorian writings, while they themselves were pardoned, because they renounced their false opinions and died in peace with the Church. The council again repeated the condemnation of the heresy of Nestorius and Eutyches. At the same Council, the heresy of Origen about Apokatastasis, the doctrine of universal salvation (that is, of all, including unrepentant sinners, and even demons), was condemned. This Council also condemned the teachings: “on the pre-existence of souls” and on “the reincarnation (reincarnation) of the soul.” Heretics were also condemned who did not recognize the universal Resurrection of the dead.
SIXTH Ecumenical Council
The Sixth Ecumenical Council was convened in 680, in the mountains. Constantinople, under the emperor Constantine Pagonate, and consisted of 170 bishops.
The Council was convened against the false teachings of heretics - monothelites who, although they recognized in Jesus Christ two natures, divine and human, but one divine will.
After the 5th Ecumenical Council, the unrest produced by the Monothelites continued and threatened Byzantine Empire great danger. Emperor Heraclius, desiring reconciliation, decided to persuade the Orthodox to make concessions to the Monothelites, and by the power of his power commanded to recognize in Jesus Christ one will in two natures. The defenders and expounders of the true teaching of the Church were Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem and Constantinople monk Maxim the Confessor, whose tongue was cut out and his hand cut off for the firmness of faith. The Sixth Ecumenical Council condemned and rejected the heresy of the Monothelites, and decided to recognize in Jesus Christ two natures - divine and human, and according to these two natures - two wills, but so that the human will in Christ is not opposed, but submissive to His divine will. It is noteworthy that at this Council the excommunication was pronounced among other heretics, and Pope Honorius, who recognized the doctrine of unity of will, as Orthodox. The decision of the Council was also signed by the Roman legates: presbyters Theodore and George, and deacon John. This clearly indicates that the supreme authority in the Church belongs to the Ecumenical Council, and not to the Pope.
After 11 years, the Council reopened meetings in the royal chambers, called Trulli, to resolve issues primarily related to the church deanery. In this respect, he, as it were, supplemented the Fifth and Sixth Ecumenical Councils, and therefore called the fifth. The Council approved the rules by which the Church should be governed, namely: 85 rules of the Holy Apostles, rules of 6 Ecumenical and 7 local Councils, and rules of 13 Church Fathers. These rules were subsequently supplemented by the rules of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and two more Local Councils, and made up the so-called "Nomocanon", and in Russian "The Pilot Book", which is the basis of the church administration of the Orthodox Church. At this Council, some innovations of the Roman Church were also condemned, which did not agree with the spirit of the decrees of the Universal Church, namely: forcing priests and deacons to celibacy, strict fasts on the Saturdays of Great Lent, and the image of Christ in the form of a lamb (lamb), etc.
SEVENTH Ecumenical Council
The Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened in 787, in the mountains. Nikea, under the empress Irina(widow of Emperor Leo Khozar), and consisted of 367 fathers.
The council was called against iconoclastic heresy, which arose 60 years before the Council, under the Greek emperor Leo the Isaurian, who, wanting to convert the Mohammedans to Christianity, considered it necessary to destroy the veneration of icons. This heresy continued under his son Constantine Copronyme and grandson Leo Khazar. The Council condemned and rejected the iconoclastic heresy and determined - to supply and believe in St. temples, along with the image of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, and holy icons; honor and give them worship, raising the mind and heart to the Lord God, Mother of God and the saints depicted on them.
After the 7th Ecumenical Council, the persecution of holy icons was again raised by the subsequent three emperors: Leo the Armenian, Michael Balboi and Theophilus, and for about 25 years worried the Church. Veneration of St. icons were finally restored and approved at the Local Council of Constantinople in 842, under Empress Theodora.
At this Council, in gratitude to the Lord God, who granted the Church victory over iconoclasts and all heretics, Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy to be celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent and which is celebrated to this day throughout the Ecumenical Orthodox Church.
NOTE: The Roman Catholic Church, instead of seven, recognizes more than 20 Ecumenical Councils, incorrectly including in this number the councils that were in the Western Church after the division of the Churches. But the Lutherans do not recognize a single Ecumenical Council; they rejected Church Sacraments And Holy Tradition, leaving in reverence only Holy Bible, which they themselves "edit" to please their false teachings.