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| St. Gregory Nazianzus |
Issues
Emperor
Theodosius I called for a council of bishops in May of 381 to reach consensus
on various issues. One goal was to end the Arian controversy which, despite
being named heretical at the Council of Nicaea, continued to have large
support. In fact, Constantinople was run by a large Arian faction. In the other
extreme, a reactionary group had adopted Apollinarism, which suggested that
Christ was fully divine, but not human.
There was
also the issue of the ordination of Maximus as Bishop of Constantinople. Maximus
was a Cynic who professed to be a convert. His conversion was suspect. Under
dubious circumstances and through support of distant Egyptian bishops, Maximus
had been consecrated as bishop of Constantinople. Many people, including the
emperor, doubted Maximus’ faith and political motives.
Results
The council
condemned fractions that denied the Nicene Creed: Arians, Apollinarians, and
Macedonians. Constantinople was honored as “New Rome,” with the note that the
bishop of Constantinople “shall have the prerogative of honor after the Bishop
of Rome.” Maximus’ ordination was not recognized, and Gregory Nazianzus was
installed.
Heresies
Arianism and
Apollinarism both denied one of Christ’s dual natures as fully human and fully
divine. The Macedonians denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Clearly,
defining the Trinity was a continuing problem. Even 350 (or 2000) years after
Christ, they weren’t sure what to make of him. Even within the realm of
Tritarianism, I think some of us focus more on Jesus the man or Jesus the
divine; it is difficult to sit comfortably in paradox.
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