The Council of Constantinople: Defining the Nicene Creed & Addressing Heresies | Church Councils

Join us as we dive deep into the Council of Constantinople (381 AD), one of the most pivotal moments in early Christian history. This video unpacks the council's role in reaffirming the Nicene Creed and its confrontation with Arianism, a significant theological controversy of the time. Under the leadership of Emperor Theodosius, the council aimed to unite the divided church by addressing the rise of heretical movements like the Eunomians, Macedonians, and Apollinarians, among others. Learn about the influential figures of the era, such as Gregory of Nazianzus, and the political complexities they navigated, from his reluctant acceptance as Bishop of Constantinople to his resignation during the council.

We’ll also explore how the council established new church laws regarding episcopal authority and jurisdiction, shaping the hierarchy of the early Christian Church. The decisions made in this regional council not only impacted the Eastern Church but, over time, gained ecumenical acceptance and profoundly influenced the development of Christian theology and governance. Finally, we’ll look at the political and ecclesiastical ramifications of proclaiming the Bishop of Constantinople as second in honor only to the Bishop of Rome, a move that would contribute to future church divisions.

This video is perfect for anyone interested in understanding the foundations of Christian doctrine, the development of church authority, and the fascinating history of early ecumenical councils.

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[John-lyb]

I AM SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED MORE EACH TIME AND HAVE NO FEAR

[IveysavedbyGRACE]

This video was so helpful Arianism is running rapid on TikTok so glad I’m able to discern modern day heresy through Church history!

[LivingWaterEternal]

So glad I found this channel. Excellent work.

[WPAOrthodox]

God bless you for this great video ☦️☦️☦️

[Godconquersall]

The ‘church’ mentioned was the one holy apostolic Catholic Church.

[Berean_with_a_BTh]

You say in this video that the Council of Constantinople revised the Nicene Creed and that your next video will go into this in detail.

You need to be aware that the Niceno-Constantinople Creed was attributed to the Council of Constantinople (381) by the Council of Chalcedon (451), despite there being no mention of it in the records of the Council of Constantinople or in any other official documents prior to the Council of Chalcedon. Neither Gregory of Nazianzus (who attended the opening sessions of the Council of Constantinople) nor Gregory of Nyssa (who attended the whole of the Council of Constantinople) ever mentioned it. Gregory of Nazianzus, only ever referred to the earlier Nicene form to express his ongoing concern about the Creed’s incompleteness regarding the Holy Spirit. Nor is it mentioned by the Church historians Socrates of Constantinople, Sozomen, and Theodoret of Cyrus, all of whom lived between these two Councils. The Council of Ephesus (431) likewise made no mention of it. It instead endorsed the earlier creed of Nicaea as a valid statement of the faith when anathematizing Nestorianism. It was first cited at the Council of Chalcedon on instructions from the chair of the meeting - the representative of the Emperor. However, since Canon 7 of the Council of Ephesus decreed "it is unlawful for any man to bring forward, or to write, or to compose a different faith as a rival to that established by the holy fathers assembled with the Holy Spirit (σύν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι) in Nicæa", a new version of the Creed could not be introduced. Hence, its back-dating to the Council of Constantinople. In other words, the attribution of the Niceno-Constantinople Creed to the Council of Constantinople was a "pious" fraud to get around a decree of the Council of Ephesus.

[JoelEscobin]

But in 350 A. D. The arians prevailed over the nicene council when council of anthioc was held

[darrenmoffitt]

So interesting that there's no representation of the original Judean Hebrew. The Messiah was from where again? The original faith of what people from the line of Abraham?

[diosdadoapias]

It is true that a concept that is not logical or contrary to what is written or no substantive basis when being preached especially by those who have high status in their respective endeavors will be accepted as truth like the Nicene Creed about the relationship of god the Father and Jesus. Also the Trinity is another example.

[danieldowdell]

Good Today ! __ " Jesus the Christ of GOD ", a simple trueth easily found in the early Writtings of the Jewish and Gentile Be-Livers of the " Way, Trueth, Life ". __ humbly, neighbour daniel __ p.s. thanks for increasing knowledge in this our troubled time .

[sulongenjop]

The Nicean Creed is the most perfect description of God!

[JohnS.-itdy]

music and keyboard still too loud. not even needed.

[francissweeney]

Constantine continued to practice his pagan religion until the end. He moved the Sabbath to Sun Day, the day he worshipped the Sun God.

[John-lyb]

We've always been under roman rule likely that the bible is linked to Christian control working it out has set me truly FREE the bullshit 🎉

[vanordman]

Your "historic" picture of the church Haga Sophia in Constantinople is inaccurate in several respects.

The flying buttresses were added much later by the Turks as were the two minarets. 

The church shown was built by Justinian in 537AD. Constantine II did build the first Haga Sophia church but it didn't have the large dome of Justinian's Haga Sophia, which was the largest free standing dome in the world for 1, 000 years.

Just thought you might want to know.

[simonslater]

Also there’s never been any division’s and schisms because your either obedient to Rome ie the pope or your damned - it’s as simple as that. The Bible is a Catholic book and condemns protestantism and orthodoxy. At the council of Florence in the 15th century it was infallibly stated that schismatic’s are damned.