The Council of Nicea and The Orthodox Creed
Which heresy began during the papacy of Pope Peter l?
The heresy of Arius
What important events happened during the Council of Nicaea?
-refuted Arian Heresy
- The Creeed as formulated until "whose kingdom shall have no end"
-Aruis and followers were excommunicated
What were the false teachings (3) that Arius claimed?
1. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son is of less divinity than God the Father, which makes him not One in essence with the Father.
2. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son is not equal with God the Father and only fulfilled what the Father commanded.
3. The Lord Jesus Christ received his authority from the Father.
When was the creed finalized?
In 325 AD during the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea and the second Ecumenical Coucil in Constintanople (381AD)
Recite a verse that St. Athanasius referenced from the Holy Bible to prove that Arius's teachings were false. Also, identify which false teaching the verse seeks to refute.
The heresy that the Lord Jesus Christ is of less Divinity than God the Father
"I and My father are one". (John 10:30)
"He who has seen Me has seen the Father". (John 14:9)
"All things that the Father has are Mine". (John 16:15)
The Lord Jesus Christ is not equal to God the Father and only fulfilled what the Father commanded.
"I Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done".
"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
"I am in the Father, and the Father in Me" (John 14:10)
The Lord Jesus Christ received his authority from the Father
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will." (John 5:21)
Name three details about St. Athanasius's upbringing.
- Bron around year 296 AD to pagan parents
-befriended Christian children and pretended to be the bishop, baptizing others
-Mentored by Pope Alexandros
-known as "the Defender of the Faith"
-became Pope Alexandros's secretary and sent to School of Alexandria
-Wrote "On the Incarnation of the Word"
-Spent life teaching refuting Arian Heresy
-Spent 3 years in the desert with St. Anthony the Great
When did the Council of Nicaea happen and who/how many attended?
-325 AD, 318 Bishops along with Emperor Constantine
-St. Athanasis as a deacon, accompanied by Pope Alexandros