The Seven Ecumenical Councils Lesson 8: The Council of Chalcedon

Background to the Council

Background to the Council Council of Ephesus, 381 Pelagius condemned – Rome Nestorius condemned – Alexandria Two Natures of Christ affirmed – Antioch

Background to the Council Alexandria & “One Nature after the Union” - Cyril Antioch assumed this had died; it had not Dioscorus Cyril’s successor in Alexandria Renewed One Nature debates, despite Ephesus’ Ruling Theodoret of Cyrus Likely to become Patriarch of Antioch Treated Ephesus as a one-sided Antiochene victory

Background to the Council Eutyches / Eutychean Controversy Elderly monk in Constantinople Favored Alexandrian theology Took it further: “two natures before the union, one nature after” Appeared to Antiochenes as a rejection of Christ’s humanity

Background to the Council “Drop of wine in the ocean of deity” Probably meant that Christ’s body was “deified” because of the Union I.e., Logos transformed the humanity, but not the other way around Implied revival of Docetism? Hybrid human/divine nature

Robber Synod of Ephesus, 449

Robber Synod, 449 Dioscorus manipulates bishops in Constantinople to condemn Eutyches in a synod in 448 Was acting from false motives Gave Eutyches refuge in Alexandria Force a confrontation with Antioch & the Patriarch of Constantinople Eutyches is condemned at the synod, Council is planned for 449 to settle things

Robber Synod, 449 Eutyches appeals to the Pope Dioscorus uses Alexandrian wealth to sway the Emperor Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople is caught in the middle Had to support the Synod – his bishops Had to support the Emperor, who was being bought by Alexandria

Robber Synod, 449 Dioscorus thinks he’s won before the fight Brings heavily armed gang of monks, just in case; gains control Eutyches and the two natures are affirmed Theodoret of Cyrus and his “Nestorianizers” are condemned as “contenders with God” Deposed & almost burned!

Robber Synod, 449 Meanwhile Flavian arrives with a letter from Pope Leo of Rome condemning Eutyches (Leo’s Tome) Flavian tries to read the Tome, but is beaten by Dioscorus’ monks and dies shortly later Emperor Theodosius II rules in favor of the synod, considers it an Ecumenical Council Antioch, Constantinople appeal to Leo

Robber Synod, 449 Leo writes to the Emperor to demand the ruling be reversed & called for a new council Theodosius responds in 450, refusing all Leo’s demands. Leo began organizing a new council anyway Emperor rarely left the East Pope was becoming the de facto emperor in the West East-West schism seemed inevitable by 450

Robber Synod, 449 July 28, 450 – Theodosius dies in an accident when thrown from his horse His sister, Pulcheria & Marcian (her husband), succeeded Began to reverse “Ephesus II” Buries Flavian with honors in Hagia Sophia Planned for a new Council Circulated Leo’s Tome

Council of Chalcedon, 451

Council of Chalcedon, 451 Imperial Couple & 18 Officials attended 500 bishops attended Leo’s followers on one side Dioscorus & his supporters on the other Theodoret is brought in, honored Riot almost breaks out; Empress & guard settle things

Council of Chalcedon, 451 Robber synod acts read and discussed Dioscorus’ supporters gradually changed sides They express remorse for Theodoret’s persecution and Flavian’s death All the bishops vote to depose Dioscorus, who was unrepentant Imperial Couple ratify the decision “Chalcedonian Definition” drafted and approved

Chalcedonian Definition

Chalcedonian Definition We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach people to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood;

Chalcedonian Definition in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably;

Chalcedonian Definition the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten God, the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

Canons of Chalcedon

Canons of Chalcedon Reaffirms prior canons of major Synods/Councils Condemns Simony (buying/selling of Ecclesiastical offices/ordinations) Denounces clergy being secular businessmen, except for if bishops assign them to run orphanages/widows’ houses or if they are legally bound to take care of minors

Canons of Chalcedon Domestic oratories & monasteries can only be established with the bishop’s permission; slaves may not become monks without their masters’ permission Clergy may not “shop” dioceses/cities No “at large” ordinations – ordinations must be particular Clergy & monks cannot have military or secular dignities Visiting clergy must submit to the bishop in the territory in which he visits

Canons of Chalcedon Clergy must not be litigious Clergy must not be on the clergy-lists in two cities The poor who journey for help must have “letters pacificatory and not commendatory” [interpretation is greatly divided as to what this is referring to] Provinces shall not be cut in two Clergy must have commendatory letters when transferring to another city

Canons of Chalcedon Cantors or Lectors [minor orders] who have married by schismatics, can bring their children who are baptized to communion. The unbaptized children are counted as new converts, not catechized Deaconesses cannot be ordained under age 40, and may not marry Monks and Nuns shall not marry

Canons of Chalcedon Rural parishes that have been under the same bishop for 30 years or more shall remain so. If there has been a dispute within the last 30 years, affiliation must be adjudicated Clergy and Monks may not meet in convocation to conspire against their bishops Local synods shall be held semiannually to deal with local matters Clergy of one city shall not be assigned to another

Canons of Chalcedon Clergy or laymen may not make rash charges against a bishop Someone who seizes the goods of his deceased bishop shall be deposed Clergy or monks who spend too much time at the capitol to cause trouble shall be deported A monastery erected with the bishop’s consent shall not be moved

Canons of Chalcedon Bishops shall be ordained within three months, unless there is grave necessity A steward shall be chosen by the bishop from among his clergy to handle business Eloping is forbidden The bishop of “New Rome” shall have the same honor as the bishop of “Old Rome”

Canons of Chalcedon Bishops shall not be degraded to the rank of presbyter. If he is unjustly deposed, he shall be restored to the episcopacy Since Egyptian custom is that the clergy cannot subscribe without the permission of the Archbishop, they are not blamed for waiting to subscribe to Leo’s Tome until an Archbishop is appointed.

Aftermath

Canons of Chalcedon Schisms Nestorian – Assyrian Church of the East Monophysite – Oriental Orthodox (e.g. Coptic) Chalcedonian Definition Accepted Roman Catholics Eastern Orthodox Most Protestants