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Originating around AD 300, '''Arianism''' was the [[theology|theological]] view that [[Jesus]] was divine, but created and lesser than [[God]] the Father.  It was considered to be a heresy.

Originating around AD 320 as taught by [[Arius]], '''Arianism''' was the [[theology|theological]] view that [[Jesus]] was divine, but created and lesser than [[God]] the Father.  It was considered to be a heresy.

Arianism was officially condemned as incorrect by the [[Council of Nicaea]] in 325, which gave its seal of authority to the established [[Holy Trinity|trinitarian]] view. The theology of the nature of Christ, including the Arian view, caused repeated religious and political turmoil im the [[Roman Empire]] up to the 5th Ecumenical Council in 553 AD.<ref>J. Herrin (1987) The Formation of Christendom. Fontana Press, London. </ref> In particular, the biggest influence and conflict due to Arianism was from the barbarian tribes surrounding the Empire.  They had generally been [[Christianized]], but mostly followed an Arian creed and opposed the Orthodox faith.

Arianism was officially condemned as incorrect by the [[Council of Nicaea]] in 325, which gave its seal of authority to the established [[Holy Trinity|trinitarian]] view. On the surface the Arian position appeared to die out, but it simmered under the surface and re-emerged after the death of the Emperor [[Constantine]] being cultivated by key Bishops and a continued rumbling in the East. The acceptance of Constantine's son [[Constantius II]] of the Arian heresy caused many Catholic Bishops under his jurisdiction in the Eastern part of the Empire to be exiled and Catholicism was temporarily suppressed when Constantius took over the Western part of the Roman Empire as well.  Even [[Pope Liberius]] was exiled.  Under Julian the Apostate, the next Emperor, all exiled Bishops were allowed back, in part to promote infighting among Christians.<ref>http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Arianism</ref> Arianism's sudden rise dissipated when [[Valentinian]], a Catholic became Emperor in the West followed a decade later by [[Theodius]], a Catholic, in the East.  Religious uniformity was again restored when another religious council reiterated that Arianism was a heresy (379).  Never having the numerical support of Catholicism to begin with, Arianism died out within the Empire almost overnight, but continued to be a thorn in the side of the Empire as many of the surrounding tribes had and were accepting Christianity, but were converted with an Arian stamp.

The barbarian tribes which invaded [[Rome]], and caused its fall in 476, were often Arians.  The [[Visigoths]] and the [[Ostrogoths]], and especially [[Theoderic]], were followers of the Arian heresy.  It would take centuries before the [[trinity|trinitarian]] view prevailed in those regions.

The barbarian tribes which invaded [[Rome]], and caused its fall in 476, were often Arians.  The [[Visigoths]] and the [[Ostrogoths]], and especially [[Theoderic]], were followers of the Arian heresy.  It would take centuries before the [[trinity|trinitarian]] view prevailed in those regions. The 5th Ecumenical Council in 553 ended the last outreaches of Arianism within greater Europe.<ref>J. Herrin (1987) The Formation of Christendom. Fontana Press, London. </ref>

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[[Category:Christianity]]

[[Category:Christianity]]