Council · AD 325

The First Council of Nicaea

The first ecumenical council, convened by Emperor Constantine, chiefly to address the Arian controversy over Christ's relationship to the Father. Produced a creed (the "Nicene Creed" properly so called is actually the expanded form ratified at Constantinople in 381; the 325 creed is shorter) and 20 disciplinary canons. The council's own acts/minutes do not survive; what's transmitted are the creed, canons, and later historians' accounts — distinguish these sources from each other.

Brief introduction from the source collection. A full library introduction has not yet been prepared.