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The first '''Council of Nicaea''' (Council I) was convened in 325 AD.  It was the first time Christianity could be called together from across the [[Roman Empire]] as it had been illegal before then and suffered persecutions leading to death. The council condemned Christian heresies that denied the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]], especially [[Arianism]].  The Council affirmed that Jesus was the Son of God. The Council issued the [[Nicene Creed]], which codified the theological understanding of the Holy [[Trinity]] and remains the unified statement of faith of all Christians to this day.

The First '''Council of Nicaea''', the first [[ecumenical council]] recognized by episcopal churches (who do not officially count the [[Council of Jerusalem]]) was summoned by Emperor [[Constantine]] in 325 AD to address disunity in the Church stemming from the [[Arian]] heresy.  It was the first time Christianity could be called together from across the [[Roman Empire]] as it had been illegal before then and suffered persecutions leading to death.

The Council was presided over by the Emporer [[Constantine]], who is said to have coined the term [[homousis]], the current language in the [[Nicene Creed]] describing Jesus as "of the same substance" as the father.  The Council of Nicaea also [[canonized]] the current [[Bible]], agreeing to the form that had been in common usage.

The sessions opened between 20 May and 19 June.<ref name="Cath">[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11044a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia:  First Council of Nicea]</ref>  According to tradition, 318 bishops attended.<ref name="hu">[http://www.piar.hu/councils/ecum01.htm "THE PROFESSION OF FAITH OF THE 318 FATHERS"]</ref>  They held discussions daily, not being discouraged or intimidated by the emperor's presence.  (Constantine himself wished primarily for unity; he did not appreciate the importance of Arius's heresy.)  The church historian [[Eusebius]], an Arian, offered the creed of his church, which did not address the questions in dispute in the least, as a basis for general agreement.  The bishop of Nicomaeda, also an Arian named Eusebius, put forward a defense of Arianism.  Arius himself was also heard and his points discussed; however, the overwhelming majority declared themselves in favor of the orthodox faith.  Using Eusebius's creed as a base, they wrote the [[Nicene Creed]] which specifically and in detail asserted the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]]:  he is ''[[homousis]]'', "of the same substance" as the Father.  As expanded by the [[First Council of Constantinople]], this creed remains the unified statement of faith of all Christians to this day.

 

The Council of Nicea also issued twenty canons concerning church order and discipline.  Modern heretics such as [[Dan Brown]] have asserted that it also declared the official [[canon]] of the [[Bible]]; however, the main body of the canon (including all four [[Gospels]]) was already decided on long before the Council, and a few books were still being discussed afterwards.<ref>[[Eusebius]] of Caesaria, ''History of the Church''</ref>

 

[[Category:Councils]]

[[Category:Councils]]