1. The Church in the 4th Century Part 1: The 1 st Ecumenical Council (Nicaea at 325 AD)

2. L6: The Church in the 4th Century Part 1: The Council of Nicaea Historical Background Around the Council of Nicaea Arius vs. Athanasius Statement of Anathema Other Outcome of the Council

3. Historical Background 1)Arius and his Heresy 2)Pope Alexander (19 th ) 3) Emperor Constantine 4) St. Athanasius (20 th )

4. The Council of Nicaea 1)Place, time, and attendees Nicaea (on the Black Sea)Nicaea (on the Black Sea) June 325 ADJune 325 AD 318 bishops318 bishops 2)Defense against the heresy 3)The Creed Written by Pope Alexander, St. Athanasius, and bishop Leontius of CaesareaWritten by Pope Alexander, St. Athanasius, and bishop Leontius of Caesarea The Son is coeternal and of the same essence with the Father (Oomoosios)The Son is coeternal and of the same essence with the Father (Oomoosios)

5. Arius vs. Athanasius Arius: “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way” Proverb 8:22 St. Athanasius: + In the Hebrew version “The Lord begot Me” + “I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth” Proverb 8:23

6. Arius vs. Athanasius Arius: “My Father is greater than I” John 14:28 St. Athanasius: + The Son in the flesh is less than the Father as He is carrying the human nature in a mission to redeem the human being but He is always in the bosom of the Father. + “I am in My Father and My Father is in Me” John 14:10

7. Arius vs. Athanasius Arius: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” Matthew 28:18 St. Athanasius: + The Son, as He is born from the Father before all ages, has gained all authority because He said “Go and baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19.

8. Arius vs. Athanasius Arius: “But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” Matthew 24:36 St. Athanasius: + Our Lord said this as He was in the flesh; the Son of Man. However, St. Peter said to Him: “Lord you know all things” John 21:17

9. Arius vs. Athanasius Arius: “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” John 5:30 St. Athanasius: + “He who has seen Me has seen My Father” John 14:9 + “I am in My Father and My Father is in Me” John 14:10

10. Statement of anathema “ As for them who say concerning the Son of God, - there was a time when He was not, - OR He was not before He was produced, - OR He was produced from things that are not - OR He is of another substance or essence, or created, or subject to conversion or mutation, the Universal-Apostolic Church says let them be anathema ”

11. Other outcome of the Council a)Easter date: The head of the church of Alexandria would write an annual Paschal letter to all churches advising with the date of the Easter b) Re-baptism : Baptism is administered ONCE in a life time. c)20 Canons: R elated to clergy and church orders; among them the marriage of the clergy.