The fourth ecumenical council, held in Chalcedon in AD 451, attempted to bring resolution to the heated Christological and trinitarian debates that had racked the first half of the fifth century. Producing what would become the Church's most concise Christological definition, the council did not itelf end the discussions, but rather became the reference point for a new period of debate.
Texts related to the Council of Chalcedon
The Definition of Faith of the Council of Chalcedon
- The most important part of the Council's proceedings was the production of this short Definition, which provides the Church's answer to the Christological problems that had been rife for the past two centuries. See also the Note on the Definition by Anatolius of Constantinople.
The Tome of St Leo the Great, Pope of Rome
- A letter sent by Leo to Flavian, but in a larger sense to the Church as a whole. Leo, who could not be at the Council of Chalcedon, nonetheless wished his voice to be heard in relation to the Christological controversy. This letter played a formative part in the proceedings of the Council.
The Canons of the Council, with Notes (off-site resource: on the CCEL web site)
- The full text of the canons of the Council of Chalcedon, with ancient and modern historical notes. Canon 28, on the authority of the See of Constantinople, is of marked importance (see a brief excursus on the later history of this canon).
Epistle of Cyril of Alexandria to John of Antioch
- The latter having rejected the Council of Ephesus in favour of his friendship with Nestorius, Cyril attempts to reconcile him to the Orthodox faith. In this he is successfull, and John eventually returns to the Church and becomes a staunch opponant of Nestorianism.
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