Non-reception of Chalcedon

The church did not receive the Council of Chalcedon in the normative form adopted by other traditions.

36%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The Armenian Apostolic Church did not receive Chalcedon as a normative council for its tradition.

How the tradition understands it: The refusal is linked to the perception that certain formulas could compromise the unity of the incarnate Christ, in addition to historical and political factors of the context.

Basis and context: The theme is central to distinguishing the church within the ancient Christian families.

Debates and variations: In modern ecumenical dialogue, there are attempts to show deeper Christological proximities than the ancient polemic seemed to suggest.

Supportive

Third Council of Dvin

armenian-apostolic-church,dvin,chalcedon,councils

An important moment in consolidating the Armenian non-Chalcedonian position.

Reference: Armenian councils of Dvin, especially the third.
Content: These councils helped consolidate the non-reception of Chalcedon and the church's christological self-definition.
Use in debate: It is an important historical source for the non-reception of Chalcedon.

Contrary

Definition of Chalcedon

chalcedon,council,christ,against

The central text of the Chalcedonian churches, not received by Armenian tradition.

Reference: Council of Chalcedon, christological definition of 451.
Content: The text formulates Christ in two natures, language received by Chalcedonian traditions.
Use in debate: It is the main source of historical tension with the non-Chalcedonian Armenian tradition.

Leo the Great, Tome to Flavian

leo-the-great,chalcedon,christology,against

An influential text in Chalcedonian christology.

Reference: Leo the Great, Tome to Flavian.
Content: The document strongly influenced the Western and Chalcedonian reception of christology.
Use in debate: It is a classic source of contrast with Armenian tradition and other Oriental Orthodox churches.

Neutral

Common Christological Statements with Oriental Orthodox and Catholics

armenian-apostolic-church,ecumenism,christological-statements

Modern texts seek to overcome historical misunderstandings.

Reference: Common christological statements between Oriental Orthodox churches and other dialogue partners.
Content: The texts recognize substantial proximity in the confession of Christ despite different historical terminologies.
Use in debate: It is an important source for a contemporary ecumenical reading of Armenian christology.