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An Ecumenical Council which was convened in 325 AD.  It addressed the differing sects of Christianity, especially [[Arianism]].  As a result of the council, the [[Nicene Creed]], which codified the theological understanding of the Holy Trinity, was issued. Until the Council of Nicaea, there was dispute within the church over the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Council ultimately decided that Jesus was the Son of God, by one vote.

The first Council of Nicaea (Council I) was convened in 325 AD.  It 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 Council was presided over by [[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.  Constantine's influence, though, is largely the stuff of panegyric writers, especially [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], and his real influence is up for historical debate.<ref>Michael Maas, "Readings in Late Antiquity"</ref>

The Council was presided over by [[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.  Constantine's influence, though, is debated and some claim that his role was exaggerated by panegyric writers, especially [[Eusebius of Caesarea]].<ref>Michael Maas, "Readings in Late Antiquity"</ref>

The Council of Nicaea also canonized the current Bible and removed all other books of the Bible it deemed heretical, including the [[Gospel of Thomas]] and other [[Gnostic Gospels]].

The Council of Nicaea also canonized the current Bible and removed all other books of the Bible it deemed heretical, including the [[Gospel of Thomas]] and other [[Gnostic Gospels]].