COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Caribbean and Latin America

Ethiopian Church Studies

Presenter: Kesis Matewos

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INTRODUCTION

• What are the Ecumenical Councils?

The word “Ecumenical” comes from the Greek word Oikoumene

“inhabited world”.
• Thus “Ecumenical Council” is meant a general meeting of bishops representing
the whole Christian Churches.

• An Ecumenical council is different from a local church synod or National Church

Synod, convened by every church.

• The goal of an ecumenical council is to settle disputes of the entire Churches such
as: heretical teaching, church canonical issues, etc.
 Church History Overview
Protestant
Reformation
Great Schism
Council of
Chalcedon
1517

Eastern Orthodox 1054

6 BC 325 381 431 451

2010+

Oriental Orthodox
(Coptic, Armenian, Syrian, Ethiopian, Indian, Eritrean)
3 Church Potential unity
Councils
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Review of Nicaea

• The council of Nicaea condemned Arianism and issued the Nicene Creed.

• The council also issued principal church canons and the emperor declared to
banish those who refused to accept the decision of the council.

• The Semi-Arians (ተረፈ አርዮሳውያን) continued to attack supporters of the decisions

of the Nicene Creed.
Review of Nicaea

Nicaea

Year 325 AD
Number attending 318 Bishops
Location City of Nicaea
Presiding emperor Constantine the Great
Heretics Arius, an Alexandrian priest
Important persons in St. Athanasius the Apostle, a deacon at that time
the council Pope Alexander, Pope of Alexandria
The heresy The denial of Christ’s divinity. “The Son (Word)
is not One with the Father in essence (Homo-
ousios).”
Important laws issued The issuance of the Creed: “We believe in One
by the council God … And we believe in the Holy Spirit”.
 The Nicene Creed
WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD: THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN
AND EARTH: THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE.

WE BELIEVE IN ONE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST, THE ONLY BEGOTTEN

SON, BORN OF THE FATHER BEFORE ALL AGES. LIGHT OF LIGHT, VERY
GOD OF VERY GOD; BEGOTTEN NOT CREATED. CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH
THE FATHER; BY WHOM WERE ALL THINGS MADE. THIS IS HE WHO FOR
US HUMANS, AND FOR OUR SALVATION, CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN,
AND WAS MADE MAN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE VIRGIN MARY.

HE WAS INCARNATE; CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, HE

SUFFERED, WAS BURIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD ON THE THIRD
DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.

HE ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN AND SITTETH AT THE RIGHT HAND OF HIS

FATHER, FROM WHENCE HE SHALL COME IN GLORY TO JUDGE THE
LIVING AND THE DEAD; FOR WHOSE KINGDOM THERE IS NO END.

WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT."

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INTRODUCTION

• In the middle of the 4th AD, the heresy which teaches Holy Spirit is
not divine with the Father and the Son was raised.

• The proponent of this heresy is called Macedonius (መቅዶንዮስ) and his

theory is known as Pneumatomachi.

• This is the cause to hold the Second Ecumenical Council (known as Council of
Constantinople) in 381 AD.
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Constantinople

Date: 381 AD

Place: Constantinople (modern Istanbul-Turkey)

Participants: 150 bishops

Reason for Council: Emperor Theodosius I (ቴዎዶስዮስ ዘየዐቢ)

convened an ecumenical council composed of 150 bishops.
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HOW THE COUNCIL STARTED

• The first ecclesiastical action against them was taken in a synod

at Alexandria in A.D. 362, which declared a heretic whoever
spoke of the Holy Spirit as a creature.

• Having found a thesis that considers the Holy Spirit as a

creature varying only in degree from the angels, Athanasius
rejected it and the Alexandrian synod confirmed its conviction
of the true divinity of the Holy Spirit.
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THE HERETICAL TEACHINGS

• The council discussed the heretical teachings of Macedonius,

Apollinarius, and Eunamius.

• Finally the Council of Constantinople confirmed the

condemnation of Arius and anathematized Macedonianism
(መቅዶንዮስ), Eunamianism (denied the Immutability of God and said
God’s character is changing), and Apollinarianism (አቡሊናርዮስ).
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WHO IS MACEDONIUS?

• Macedonius (መቅዶንዮስ), the bishop of Constantinople (341-360), contended that

the Holy Spirit was not of the same substance with the Father, as He was only a
created being.

• Macedonius found followers of his heretical teaching, known as

Pneumatomachians “fighters against the Holy Spirit”.
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HERESY - Pneumatomachians

• Founder: Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople

• He taught that the Holy Spirit is a divine work spread across creation and not a
distinctive hypostasis like the Father or the Son. Furthermore, he declared that the
Holy Spirit is a creature similar to the angels but of a higher celestial rank than them.

• Scripture use: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the
Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father He will testify of Me.” (Jn
15:26)
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HERESY - EUNOMIANISM

• Founder: Eunomius, a priest

• Denied Holy Spirit as God because of his misinterpretation of the Scripture

• 1ˢᵗ ARGUMENT: Since angels are called spirits and they are created beings, the
Holy Spirit is also a created being

• 2ⁿᵈ ARGUMENT: The Holy Spirit is not mentioned in Scripture with the definite
article “the”
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KEY DEFENSE

• If we deny the divinity of the Holy Spirit, then we don’t

believe of the Son (because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the
Son and of the Father), so we don’t believe in the Holy
Trinity

• The work of the Holy Spirit in us proves that He is God

 1 work, 3 person and 3 distinct roles
1 work 3 roles
Work Father Son
Creation:
Holy Spirit God said: let there The Word of God Spirit of God was
(“Let Us make be light… hovering over the
man in Our face of the waters
image”)
Father speaks: Jesus being
“this is my beloved baptized Holy Spirit
Epiphany: descends: the dove
Son…”
Matthew 3: 13-17

Father chose you Son in humility was Holy spirit

incarnated overshadowed you
Incarnation:
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HOLY SPIRIT – THE PARACLETE

REVEALER
The Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that the Lord God was incarnate in her womb.

“Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said: Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
/Luke 1:42-43/

Simeon learned of the coming of the Lord by the Holy Spirit“… it had been revealed to him (Simeon) that he would not
see death before he had seen the Lord Christ.” /Luke 2:26

The testimony of John the Baptist

“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent
me to baptize with water said to me, upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, this is He who
baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” /John 1:33/

“He (the Holy Spirit) will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.” John
14:26
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HOLY SPIRIT – THE PARACLETE

COUNSELOR
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” /Acts 15:28

THE COMFORTER (CONSOLER)

The Holy Spirit is the comforter that helps the faithful persevere in faith through a great deal of contention and persecution.
"But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name…” /John 14:26/

“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that
hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” /Mark 13:11/

The churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of
the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” /Acts 9:31/

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. /Rom. 15:13/

St Stephen at the time of his stoning to death

“Being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the Glory of God.” /Acts 7:55/
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HOLY SPIRIT – THE PARACLETE

THE GIVER OF LIFE (GRACE)
The grace of childhood is received through baptism –which is a birth from the Holy Spirit
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. .” /John 3:5/

“Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” /Acts 2:38/

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” /1 Cor. 12:4/

The Seal of Redemption

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” /Eph. 4:30/
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HOLY SPIRIT – THE PARACLETE

THE SPIRIT OF CLEANSING AND SANCTIFICATION

"I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering of the
gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” /Rom. 15:16/

“He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on
us abundantly…” /Titus 3:5-6/
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HOLY SPIRIT – THE PARACLETE

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
• Gen. 1:2 –“And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the earth.”
• Is. 40:13 –18 –“Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counsellor
has taught Him?... To whom will you liken God…”
• Is 44:3 –“I will pour my Spirit upon your seed, and by blessing upon your
offspring.”
• Is 48:16 –“From the time that it was, there I am, and now the Lord God and His
Spirit has sent me.”
• Joel 2:28 –“I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh…”
 Apollinarianism

• Apollinarius bishop of Laodicia

• Christology debate begins – Union between Divinity and Humanity
• Apollinarius taught single nature of Jesus
• He attempted to apply man’s trichotomy (Plato) to Christ
Man = body + soul + rational spirit
Christ = body + soul + Logos (Divinity)
Replaced the rational HUMAN spirit with the Divinity
Thus he cancelled His full humanity
We are not saved

“only that which has been assumed by Christ can be saved in man”
(St. Gregory of Nazianzen)
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Apollinarianism

• According to Apollinarius, Christ couldn’t have been a true perfect

man. His teaching implies that the humanity of Christ is a distorted
one and not perfect.

• Apollinarius as a radical Anti-Arian (b/c he believed the divinity of

Jesus but rejects His humanity; whereas Arius rejects the divinity of
Jesus and believes His humanity).
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KEY DEFENSE

• Apollinarius’ concept failed to meet the essential conditions of

redemption, as for the complete salvific duty of human beings the
savior needs to be fully man.

• It was Adam’s mind that originally violated the commandment, so that

it became imperative that the Redeemer should possess it.
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WHY DID WE NEED A REDEEMER?

Man, who was created in God's image and in his possession of reason
reflected the very Word Himself, was disappearing, and the work of God was
being undone. St. Athanasius – On the Incarnation

It was most necessary for mankind to have a supernatural power and help
which might perform an inward reversal within him and give to man the
possibility to turn away from a gradually deepening descent towards victory
over sin and towards a gradual ascent to God. Michael Pomazansky - Dogmatic
Theology
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WHY DID WE NEED A REDEEMER?

The body of the Word, then, being a real human body, in spite of its
having been uniquely formed from a virgin, was of itself mortal and, like
other bodies, liable to death. But the indwelling of the Word loosed it
from this natural liability, so that corruption could not touch it.

Thus it happened that two opposite marvels took place at once: the death
of all was consummated in the Lord’s body; yet, because the Word was in
it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished. St.
Athanasius –On the Incarnation
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HOW ARE WE SAVED?

God’s work of our salvation is more splendid than His work of creation. His
love and humility is beyond measure and incomprehensible.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly… God
commends His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom.
5:5-8

“You were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without a spot, who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world…” 1 Pet. 1:18-19
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HOW ARE WE SAVED?

“The Cross and the Resurrection of Christ stand at the very center of human
history. Neither descriptions nor enumerations can take in the majesty,
breadth, power, and significance of the earthly ministry of Christ ; there is
no measuring-stick for the all-surpassing wealth of God ’s love, manifest in
His mercy for the fallen and for sinners in miracles, in healings, and finally,
in His innocent sacrificial death, with prayer for His crucifiers.” Dogmatic
Theology –Pomazansky
 The Cappadocian Fathers

Cappadocian Fathers

St. Basil the Great St. Gregory of Nazianzus St. Gregory of Nyssa

The man of action The orator The thinker

Doctors of Trinitarian Theology

 The Holy Trinity – clearer vocabulary

One in Essence (Oussia), distinct in Person (Hypostasis)

Father

IS

God
In essence

Son IS NOT Holy Spirit

 The Holy Trinity – fire example

1)Flames
Fire
2)Heat

3)Light

• Flames, Heat, Light – the 3 are 1 Fire

• Heat & Light proceed from the flames
• Flames are different from the heat and is different from the light
• What would happen if there was no heat or no light?
 COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE: OUTCOME

1. Condemned heresies – Mecedonius, Apollinarius and Semi-

Arians (Eunamians).

2. Affirms Council of Nicaea (325) and completes the Creed.

3. Bishop of Constantinople to have equal status with the bishop

of Rome.
 COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE: OUTCOME

THE CONSTANTINOPLE CREED

‘‘And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the giver of
life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the
Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the
Prophets.’’
 CREED: KEY PHRASES – SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE

Matt 6:9

John 1:18

Psalm 27:1
2 Cor 4:13 John 8:12

Other Scriptural
Evidence

• Hebrews 1:5 John 14:36

• Philippians 2:6
• 1 Thess 5:9
• 1 Timothy 3:16
 TODAY’S CREED

Today’s Creed is a combination of both

Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople

God is One in Three Different Persons, but not

separate as they are not bound by space and time

The Creed reaffirmed the relationship of the Trinity: Father, Son

and Holy Spirit are Co-Eternal, Co-Existent, Equal, Co-
Substantial