Council of Chalcedon

The Council of Chalcedon was the fourth important meeting of leaders in the Christian Church. It happened in the city of Chalcedon, which today is called Kadıköy in Istanbul, Turkey, from October 8 to November 1 in the year 451. The Roman emperor Marcian called this meeting together.

More than 520 bishops, or people who stood for the bishops, came to this council. This made it the biggest and best-recorded meeting of the first seven big church councils. The main reason for this council was to talk about important beliefs about who Jesus was. Some people thought Jesus was only divine, and others thought he was separate as divine and human.

The Council of Chalcedon made a clear statement called the Chalcedonian Definition. It said that Jesus is fully God and fully human. The decisions made at this council helped shape how many Christians understand the nature of Jesus.

Agenda

The Council of Chalcedon was an important meeting of Christian leaders. They agreed that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human, with two natures that are separate but united.

This decision led to some disagreements among different Christian groups. The council also handled other matters, like church rules and approved important statements of belief, including the Creed of Nicaea and the Creed of Constantinople.

Background

In 325, the first big meeting of Christian leaders, called the First Council of Nicaea, decided that Jesus Christ was God, the same as the Father, and did not agree with the idea that Jesus was just a created being. This idea was again supported at later meetings in Constantinople in 381 and Ephesus in 431.

Eutychian controversy

Main article: Eutyches

A few years after a leader named Cyril of Alexandria died in 444, an older monk named Eutyches from Constantinople began teaching something new about who Jesus was. He wanted to stop another belief called Nestorianism. Eutyches said Jesus had only one nature after he became human, which caused confusion and disagreement among Christian leaders. In 448, a leader named Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople, held a meeting and asked Eutyches to explain his beliefs. When Eutyches could not clearly explain, he was asked to leave his position.

Latrocinium of Ephesus

Main article: Second Council of Ephesus

In 449, another big meeting was held in Ephesus. This meeting was led by a leader named Dioscorus, who supported Eutyches. During this meeting, Flavian and another leader, Eusebius, were asked to leave because they believed Jesus had two natures. There were many disagreements and problems during this meeting, and it was later called a "meeting of robbers" by Pope Leo I because of how unfair it was.

Convocation and session

The Council of Chalcedon was called by Emperor Marcian after the death of Emperor Theodosius II. It aimed to resolve conflicts within the Christian Church by setting aside decisions from an earlier council in Ephesus.

The council began on October 8, 451, in the city of Chalcedon, close to Constantinople. About 520 bishops attended, making it one of the largest early church councils. The main focus was on discussing the nature of Jesus Christ and confirming beliefs about his divine and human aspects. The council affirmed existing creeds and letters that supported these teachings.

Acceptance

The Council of Chalcedon made important decisions about Christian beliefs. Many Christian groups, including the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches, agree with its teachings about the Trinity and the nature of Jesus. However, some churches, called Oriental Orthodox, do not accept these decisions.

The council taught that Jesus has two natures — both fully human and fully divine — united in one person. They also created rules to help organize church leadership and activities.

Main article: Chalcedonian Definition

The status of the sees of Constantinople and Jerusalem

The council gave special importance to the church leaders in Jerusalem and Constantinople. Jerusalem was made independent from other church leaders and became one of the main important churches, known later as a patriarchate.

The council also gave Constantinople a special place, saying it should be second in importance only to Rome. Earlier councils had given Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch special roles, but Constantinople grew in importance because it was close to the emperor's court. The council said Constantinople should be honored almost as much as Rome because it was the new imperial capital.

Consequences: Chalcedonian Schism

Main article: Chalcedonian Schism

The Council of Chalcedon caused a big split in the Christian Church. Some church leaders did not agree with the council's decisions and felt it was too much like an older idea called Nestorianism. This led to a separation between different groups of Christians, especially in areas like Egypt and Syria.

In Egypt, the church split into two groups. One group followed the decisions of the council, while the other group did not. This caused problems and tough times for many Christians. Over time, these divisions weakened the eastern parts of the Byzantine Empire and made it harder to defend against invaders. Even years later, some Christian groups still remember this split and keep their traditions separate from those who followed the Council of Chalcedon.

Oriental Orthodox view

Many Oriental Orthodox theologians, saints, and modern clergy believe there is a real difference in their faith compared to others. Today, Coptic Orthodox Christians describe themselves as Miaphysites. This idea is shown in their daily prayers, which say, "Christ's divinity never left His humanity, not even for a moment or the blink of an eye."

Liturgical commemorations

The Eastern Orthodox Church remembers the important leaders who met in Chalcedon on a special Sunday close to July 13. In some places, like Russia, they celebrate this day as a feast for the leaders of the first six big church meetings.

Special church services have been created for these celebrations. One service, made in the 14th century, honors the leaders of the meeting in Chalcedon and praises their teachings. The other service celebrates all six important church meetings and speaks highly of their leaders while mentioning those who did not agree with them.