First Council of Nicaea

The First Council of Nicaea, convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 325 AD, was the first ecumenical (from Greek oikumene, "worldwide") conference of bishops of the Christian Church.

Related Topics:
Roman Emperor - Constantine the Great - 325 - Ecumenical - Greek - Bishop - Christian

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The purpose of the council (also called a synod), was to resolve disagreements in the church of Alexandria over the nature of the Godhead, and in particular whether Jesus was of the same or of similar substance as God the Father. Bishop Alexander of Alexandria took the first position; the popular presbyter Arius, from whom the term Arian controversy comes, took the second. The council decided against the Arians. Another result of the council was an agreement on the date of the Christian Passover, now called Easter, the most important feast of the Church's life. The council decided in favour of celebrating Passover on the first sunday after the spring equinox, independently of the Jewish Calendar and authorised the bishop of Alexandria to annually announce the exact date to his fellow bishops.

Related Topics:
Synod - Godhead - Jesus - Substance - God the Father - Arian controversy - Christian Passover - Easter - Jewish Calendar - Alexandria

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The Council of Nicaea was historically significant because it was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.{{fn|1}} "It was the first occasion for the development of technical Christology".{{fn|2}} Further, "Constantine in convoking and presiding over the council signaled a measure of imperial control over the church."{{fn|3}} With the creation of the Nicene Creed, a precedent was established for subsequent general councils to create a statement of belief and canons which was intended to become orthodox for all Christians. It would serve to unify the Church and provide a clear guideline over disputed matters on what it meant to be a practicing Christian, a momentous event in the history of the Church and subsequent history of Europe.

Related Topics:
Christology - Nicene Creed - Statement of belief - Canons - Orthodox

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