The GOLDEN AGE of the Catholic Church Constantine the Great, Arius, Arianism and the first ecumenical council of Nicaea (325 ad)

Constantine emperor Constantine the Great (around aD 274-337) Roman emperor (306-337), He was the first Roman ruler to be converted to Christianity. He founded Constantinople (to-day Istanbul) as a capital of the Roman Empire in 330, and it remained the seat of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire until 1453

son of the commander Constantius Chlorus (later Constantius I) and Helena (Saint Helena) Constantine is reported to have dreamed of an apparition where Christ told him to inscribe the holy sign ΧΡ (Greek), the first two letters of the word ΧΡΙSΤΟS (Christos), on the shields of his troops. The next day he is said to have seen a cross superimposed on the sun and the words “in this sign you will be victorious” (usually given in Latin, in hoc signo vinces – I H S).

Constantine then defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, near Rome. The Senate considered Constantine saviour of the Roman people. He had been a pagan solar worshiper, now regarded the Christian deity as a bringer of victory The end of the Christian Persecutions and the co-emperor, Licinius, joined him in issuing the famous Edict of Milan (313ad), which meant toleration of Christians and their religion in the Roman Empire. As guardian of Constantine’s favoured religion, the church was then given legal rights and large financial donations. Paganism began vanishing...

A struggle for power soon began between Licinius and Constantine Constantine in 324 became a Christian champion when he overcame Licinius By the year 324 the Catholic Faith had become the Religion of the Roman Empire As soon as the Catholic Faith was fully established, Arius’ teachings in the East began giving a very hard time to bishops who had the duty to pronounce orthodox doctrine...

Pope Sylvester I, elected Pope on January 31st 314 Pope Sylvester I, elected Pope on January 31st 314. Died on December 31, in the year 335 AD, He succeeded Pope Miltiades and his successor was Pope Mark.

Arius (260-336 AD) and Arianism

Famous preacher and known ascetic figure Dangerous teachings leading to heresy on Jesus Christ Condemned several times by bishops, beginning with Alexander of Alexandria around 320 AD Travelling to Palestine he was welcomed by some bishops there and so he took the opportunity to preach his erroneous teachings there Trouble in the Church now meant trouble in the Roman Empire especially in the East

Bishop Ossius of Cordoba was sent by the Emperor himself (324) to calm the waters and get control of the situation – he did not succeed Then, Constantine himself, most probably with the approval of Pope Sylvester called the Council at Nicaea in 325 AD, to tackle the situation once and for all We are told that 318-320 bishops were present with two delegates of the Pope himself The correct doctrine was badly needed

The heresy of Arius in his teachings In the Bl. Trinity only the Father is Eternal and thus he is the only one to be called God The son is the first of all the creatures; there was a time that he was not; he was created out of nothing and he was an instrument in the hands of the Father for the creation of the world. He is not similar to the other creatures because he existed before them If the son is created he cannot be immortal/eternal like the father

The son is an image of the Father, but an imperfect one and not of the same substance The Holy Spirit is inferior to the Son as the son is inferior to the Father (subordinationism) The son was incarnated in Jesus Christ and here he lived in the soul We can now understand why all the chaos was present in the Eastern Church – the correct / orthodox teaching of Faith regarding Jesus Christ had to be expressed in the council...

The Council of nicea – 325 AD The bishops condemned without any hesitation and radically the teachings of Arius Arius and another two bishops did not accept and adhere to the Creed of Nicea so they immediately received the Council’s condemnation and were exiled The Council’s Creed was clear: God from God, We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ the only Son of God. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. Begotten not made, of one being with the Father.... (homoousios)