Seven ecumenical councils

The seven ancient ecumenical councils are received as normative reference of faith.

56%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The Greek Orthodox tradition recognizes seven ecumenical councils as normative.

How the tradition understands it: These councils define essential elements of the Christian faith and of the legitimacy of veneration of icons, in continuity with the reception of the church.

Basis and context: Creeds, council acts, and liturgical reception are fundamental.

Debates and variations: The theme appears in comparison with traditions that accept fewer or more councils as ecumenical.

Supportive

Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

creed,council,trinity,church,christ

Profession of faith that defines the classical language about God, Christ, and the Church.

The creed formulated at Nicaea and Constantinople summarizes ancient Christian faith in normative language: one God, the Son consubstantial with the Father, the Holy Spirit, the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, baptism, and the future resurrection. In Catholicism, it functions as a doctrinal synthesis and universal liturgical reference.

Second Council of Nicaea (787)

greek-orthodox-church,nicaea-ii,icons,council

The council legitimizes veneration of icons.

Reference: Second Council of Nicaea, 787.
Content: The council defends the legitimacy of veneration of icons and condemns iconoclasm.
Use in debate: Central source for Orthodox theology of images.