Constantinople I

What Was Constantinople I?

The First Council of Constantinople was the Second Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church.

It was called in AD 381 by Emperor Theodosius to confirm the Nicene faith, restore order in Constantinople, reconcile semi-Arians with the Church, and oppose the Macedonian heresy.

What Was the Macedonian Heresy?

The Macedonian heresy denied the full divinity of the Holy Ghost.

While Nicaea I defended the divinity of the Son against Arius, Constantinople I defended the divinity of the Holy Ghost.

The council affirmed that the Holy Ghost is truly God and is worshiped and glorified together with the Father and the Son.

Who Attended?

The council was originally a council of the East.

It was attended by about 150 Catholic bishops and 36 heretical bishops, including semi-Arians and Macedonians.

It was first presided over by Meletius of Antioch. After his death, Saint Gregory Nazianzen and then Nectarius of Constantinople presided.

Saint Gregory Nazianzen

One of the council’s first actions was to confirm Saint Gregory Nazianzen as Bishop of Constantinople.

Gregory was one of the great defenders of the doctrine of the Trinity and is honored as a Doctor of the Church.

His teaching helped the Church speak clearly about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

Constantinople I is especially remembered for the Creed associated with it, commonly called the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.

This Creed expanded and confirmed the faith of Nicaea, especially by clearly confessing the divinity of the Holy Ghost.

This is the Creed Catholics profess at Mass.

The Holy Ghost Is Truly God

The Creed teaches that the Holy Ghost is the Lord and giver of life.

He proceeds from the Father and is adored and glorified together with the Father and the Son.

This means the Holy Ghost is not a creature, force, or lesser spirit. He is the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity.

Against Arianism and Apollinarianism

The council also condemned various forms of Arianism, along with Macedonianism and Apollinarianism.

Apollinarianism damaged the truth of Christ’s full humanity by denying that Christ possessed a complete human soul or mind.

The Church defended the truth that Christ is fully God and fully man.

The Canons of Constantinople I

The council issued several canons concerning doctrine and Church order.

The first canon condemned Arianism, Macedonianism, and Apollinarianism.

Other canons dealt with diocesan boundaries, the invalid consecration of Maximus, and the rank of Constantinople among major sees.

Constantinople as “New Rome”

One famous canon stated that because Constantinople was “New Rome,” its bishop should have a place of honor after the Bishop of Rome.

This canon was controversial and was not immediately accepted by the Apostolic See.

Rome’s authority was understood to rest not merely on political importance, but on succession from Saint Peter.

Why Constantinople I Matters

Constantinople I matters because it completed the Church’s early clarification of Trinitarian doctrine.

Nicaea defended the divinity of the Son.

Constantinople defended the divinity of the Holy Ghost.

Together, these councils helped the Church profess clearly that God is one divine nature in three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Common Misunderstandings

The Council Did Not Invent the Trinity

The council defended and clarified the apostolic faith already received by the Church.

The Holy Ghost Is Not an Impersonal Force

The Holy Ghost is a divine Person, truly God.

The Creed Was Not Merely Political

Although emperors were involved in Church history, the Creed expressed the Church’s faith.

Constantinople I Builds on Nicaea I

It did not replace Nicaea, but confirmed and completed its doctrinal work.

Key Truths About Constantinople I

• Constantinople I was held in AD 381.
• It is the Second Ecumenical Council.
• It confirmed the faith of Nicaea.
• It condemned Macedonianism.
• It defended the divinity of the Holy Ghost.
• It rejected Arianism and Apollinarianism.
• It is associated with the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
• It helped clarify the Church’s doctrine of the Trinity.

What Does This Mean For Me?

Every time Catholics profess the Creed at Mass, they confess the faith defended by Nicaea and Constantinople.

The Holy Ghost is not distant or secondary. He is Lord, giver of life, and truly God.

Constantinople I reminds us that the Christian life is Trinitarian: we are brought to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Ghost.

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Learn how the Church defended the unity of Christ and affirmed Mary as Mother of God.