Councils
This 325 AD council was the first ecumenical council, where bishops formulated the Nicene Creed, affirming that Jesus is "of the same essence" (homoousios) as the Father.
What is the First Council of Nicaea?
This ancient city is the location of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, considered the “first among equals” in Eastern Orthodoxy.
What is Constantinople (Istanbul)?
This Greek term, meaning “of the same essence” or “consubstantial,” was central to affirming the unity of the Father and the Son at the Council of Nicaea.
What is homoousios?
This early Christian heresy taught that Jesus was not truly divine but a created being, and it was condemned at the Council of Nicaea in 325.
What is Arianism?
In Islam, this term refers to the pilgrimage to Mecca, which all Muslims are required to perform at least once if they are able.
What is Hajj?
This bishop of Alexandria was a key defender of Nicene orthodoxy, opposing Arianism and enduring multiple exiles for his stance.
Who is Athanasius?
This type of prayer, central to Orthodox monastic life, involves the repeated invocation, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
What is the Jesus Prayer?
This concept, used in Eastern Orthodox theology, describes the dynamic relational activity within the Trinity, often translated as “mutual indwelling” or “interpenetration.”
What is perichoresis?
This heresy, rejected the Old Testament and taught that the God of the Old Testament was different from the God of the New Testament.
What is Marcionism?
Known as the “Destroyer” and “Transformer,” this Hindu deity forms part of the Trimurti, along with Brahma and Vishnu.
Who is Shiva?
This canon of the Council of Nicaea recognized the ancient customs of jurisdictional authority for certain bishops, specifically naming the sees of Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome.
What is Canon 6?
This Orthodox theological concept describes the distinct yet accessible manifestations of God through which believers experience His presence, distinct from His inaccessible essence.
What are the energies of God?
This 4th-century theologian, known for his defense of the Trinity against Arianism, famously stated, “What is not assumed is not healed,” emphasizing the necessity of the Incarnation for salvation.
Who is Saint Gregory of Nazianzus?
This heresy taught that Jesus had a divine mind but not a human mind, denying the fullness of His humanity.
What is Apollinarianism?
This branch of Islam, which includes groups like the Twelvers and Ismailis, believes that leadership should be through the descendants of Ali, the cousin of Muhammad.
What is Shia Islam?
The Palamite Synods affirmed that while God’s essence is inaccessible, His energies allow believers to experience this through prayer and participation, a concept central to this spiritual practice.
What is Hesychasm?
In Orthodox churches, this screen decorated with icons separates the altar from the nave.
What is the iconostasis?
This Cappadocian Father is credited with developing the distinction between ousia (essence) and hypostasis (person) to articulate the unity and distinction within the Trinity.
Who is Saint Basil the Great?
This 4th-century heresy claimed that the sacraments administered by clergy who had sinned or renounced the faith were invalid, leading to a schism in North Africa.
What is Donatism?
This 19th-century German philosopher, often associated with atheism, famously declared that "God is dead" and questioned traditional Christian morality.
Who is Friedrich Nietzsche?
This decree, signed at Florence, outlined the union’s terms, agreeing to papal supremacy and the Filioque, though it faced rejection upon returning to the Byzantine Empire.
What is the Decree of Union (or Laetentur Caeli)?
This 4th-century saint and Archbishop of Constantinople is known for his eloquent sermons and the Divine Liturgy that bears his name.
Who is Saint John Chrysostom?
This term, used by Augustine and Aquinas, describes the unique characteristic or “property” of each divine person within the Trinity, such as “paternity” for the Father.
What is notional distinction?
Known for his complex cosmology, this Gnostic heretic taught that divine beings called aeons created a lesser god, the Demiurge, who in turn created the material world.
Who is Valentinus?
In Mahayana Buddhism, this concept refers to the vow made by enlightened beings to delay their own liberation to help others attain enlightenment.
What is the Bodhisattva vow?