Articles

Reasons for Convening the Council The Heresy of Pelagius — Pelagianism Pelagius was a monk and priest from Britain. He taught that “Adam’s sin affected him alone, without extending to the rest of the human race,” and that “every person, from birth, is like Adam before his fall.” He further claimed that “through natural strength, a person can attain the highest degrees of holiness without waiting for the assistance of grace.” These corrupt teachings plainly undermine the glori

After Pope Athanasius had struggled against the Arian heresy for many years, the Church enjoyed a period of relief from this grievous and extremely dangerous heresy. However, several heresies emerged toward the end of the fourth century AD. This occurred during the reign of the Orthodox Christian Emperor Theodosius the Great, who issued an imperial decree in AD 381 ordering the demolition of pagan temples and their conversion into churches. The heresies that emerged at that t

The Council of Nicaea was the First Ecumenical Council. It was convened because of the heresy of Arius. Pope Alexander wrote to Emperor Constantine the Great, asking him to convene an ecumenical council to rule on this heresy. He also made the same request to Hosius, Bishop of Córdoba. Constantine agreed to convene an ecumenical council and sent a proclamation summoning all the bishops of the empire to the city of Nicaea, in the province of Bithynia. Thus, 318 bishops from th

Circumstances Surrounding the Convening of the Council The early Church remained steadfast in its teachings for a long time. It spread, peace prevailed among its members, and their principles in spiritual life and doctrine grew stronger. Then the third century arrived, and problems emerged. The Church’s bonds began to unravel, its strength became divided, and its dignity was weakened. The early fathers, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood against these heresies just as their f