Church Councils
The councils of the Church defined doctrine, established discipline, and shaped Christianity across the centuries. Rather than treating one communion's list as definitive, each council is tagged with the living traditions that receive it today.
Receives 16 of these councils
Receives 10 of these councils
Receives 5 of these councils
Receives 2 of these councils
Receives 5 of these councils
The first church council, described in Acts 15, addressed whether Gentile converts needed to follow the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. After debate, Peter spoke of God's acceptance of Gentiles, and James proposed the decree that was accepted. This established the principle that Gentiles are saved by grace through faith, not by works of the Law.
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After the Decian persecution, many Christians had lapsed by offering sacrifice to Roman gods. This council, led by Cyprian, addressed whether and how the 'lapsi' (lapsed) could be reconciled to the Church. Against the rigorist Novatian, who denied any possibility of forgiveness, the council established a penitential system allowing reconciliation after proper penance.
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The Council of Elvira was an early regional council in Spain that issued 81 canons dealing with Christian discipline. It addressed issues of idolatry, apostasy, sexual morality, clergy discipline, and relations with Jews and pagans. Some of its canons are notably strict, including the earliest known legislation on clerical celibacy in the Western Church.
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The first council called by a Roman Emperor, Arles addressed the Donatist controversy in North Africa. The Donatists held that sacraments administered by bishops who had handed over Scriptures during persecution (traditores) were invalid. The council ruled against the Donatists, affirming that the validity of sacraments does not depend on the worthiness of the minister.
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The first ecumenical council was called by Emperor Constantine to address the Arian controversy. Arius taught that the Son was a created being ('there was when he was not'). The council condemned Arianism and produced the Nicene Creed, which declared the Son to be 'of one substance (homoousios) with the Father,' affirming Christ's full divinity. Only two bishops refused to sign.
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Called by Emperor Theodosius to resolve continuing Arian disputes and address new heresies. The council reaffirmed Nicaea, condemned the Macedonians who denied the Spirit's divinity, and expanded the Nicene Creed to include the full article on the Holy Spirit ('the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father'). It also condemned Apollinaris's teaching that Christ had no human rational soul.
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Called to address the controversy between Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius of Constantinople over whether Mary could be called 'Theotokos' (God-bearer/Mother of God). Nestorius preferred 'Christotokos' (Christ-bearer), implying a division between the divine and human in Christ. Cyril's council (proceeding without the Antiochene bishops) condemned Nestorius and affirmed that Mary is truly Theotokos because Christ is one person, not two.
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The council addressed Eutyches' teaching that Christ had only one nature after the incarnation (the divine absorbing the human). Pope Leo's Tome provided the key formula. The council produced the Chalcedonian Definition: Christ is one person in two natures (divine and human), 'without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.' Dioscorus of Alexandria was deposed for his role in the 'Robber Council' of Ephesus (449).
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Convened by Emperor Justinian to condemn the 'Three Chapters': the person and writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia, certain writings of Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and a letter of Ibas of Edessa. Justinian hoped this would reconcile the Monophysites who rejected Chalcedon because these authors seemed Nestorian. Pope Vigilius initially resisted but eventually accepted the council. It also condemned certain Origenist teachings.
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The council addressed Monothelitism, which taught that Christ had only one will (divine) rather than two (divine and human). This was a compromise position attempting to reconcile Chalcedonians and Monophysites. The council defined that Christ has two wills (dyothelitism), divine and human, corresponding to his two natures, though his human will always follows his divine will without conflict. Controversially, it condemned Pope Honorius I for his ambiguous statements that supported Monothelitism.
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The council addressed the Iconoclast controversy, which had raged since Emperor Leo III banned icons in 726. The council distinguished between 'latreia' (worship due to God alone) and 'proskynesis' (veneration) which may be given to icons, the cross, relics, and saints. It taught that honor given to an image passes to its prototype. The council vindicated the theology of John of Damascus and restored icons to churches.
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This council addressed the dispute between Patriarch Photius and Patriarch Ignatius of Constantinople. Photius had been appointed after Ignatius was deposed; Rome supported Ignatius. The council deposed Photius and restored Ignatius. However, the Eastern Church later held another council in 879-880 that rehabilitated Photius. The Catholic Church counts this council as the Eighth Ecumenical Council; the Orthodox do not.
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The greatest medieval council, Lateran IV addressed church reform, heresy, and the Crusades. It produced 70 canons covering doctrine, discipline, and pastoral care. It formally defined transubstantiation, mandated annual confession and communion, and established regulations for preaching, education, and clerical conduct. It also called for the Fifth Crusade and legislated restrictions on Jews and Muslims.
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The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was the Catholic Church's comprehensive response to the Protestant Reformation. Meeting in 25 sessions over 18 years under three popes, it clarified Catholic doctrine on justification, the sacraments, Scripture and Tradition, original sin, and the Mass. It also enacted sweeping reforms of church discipline, seminary education, and pastoral care. Trent defined Catholicism for the next 400 years.
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Vatican I was convened to address modern errors including rationalism, materialism, and atheism. It produced two constitutions: 'Dei Filius' on faith and reason, and 'Pastor Aeternus' on the Church, which defined papal primacy and papal infallibility. The council was suspended indefinitely when Italian troops seized Rome in September 1870 and was never formally closed.
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Vatican II (1962-1965) was a pastoral council called by Pope John XXIII for 'aggiornamento' (updating) of the Church. It produced 16 documents on liturgy, revelation, the Church, ecumenism, religious liberty, and the Church in the modern world. The council reformed the liturgy (permitting vernacular), promoted ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, affirmed religious liberty, and developed the theology of the laity. It was the largest and most international council in history.
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