Monday, October 22, 2007

The Second Ecumenical Council - 381 AD


In the whole history of the Church there is no council which bristles with such astonishing facts as the First Council of Constantinople. It is one of the “undisputed General Councils,” one of the four which St. Gregory said he revered as he did the four holy Gospels, and he would be rash indeed who denied its right to the position it has so long occupied; and yet

1. It was not intended to be an Ecumenical Synod at all.

2. It was a local gathering of only one hundred and fifty bishops.

3. It was not summoned by the Pope, nor was he invited to it.

4. No diocese of the West was present either by representation or in the person of its bishop; neither the see of Rome, nor any other see.

5. It was a council of Saints...

Accomplishments of this Council:

1. Established the Unity of the Holy Trinity
2. Confirmed the Complete Manhood in Christ
3. Supplemented the Nicene Creed

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