Legislative History – Council of Nicaea
by DIck Fichter, parishioner with support from Rev. Dina
Legislative History- Council of Nicaea
Continuing from last time, we are looking at the legislative history of the Nicene Creed to better understand its meaning with respect to the Holy Spirit. We decided to look at reports on the issues resolved by the First Council of Nicaea, meeting in 325. This was the first ecumenical council of all of the believers of the Christian church which met in the ancient city of Nicaea, Turkey to resolve outstanding issues.  It was called by the emperor Constantine I, who presided over the opening session and took part in the discussions.

[The following is out of necessity an oversimplification of the issues and activities associated with the governance of the Roman Empire, especially the debate or conflict among individual bishops and or parties having or hoping to achieve power and have their positions adopted and unified in the church throughout the Empire. It contains extensive quotes from Britannica.]
Christianity and the Roman Emperor
In calling the council Constantine I hoped a general council of the church would solve the problem created in the Eastern church by Arianism, an alleged heresy first proposed by Arius of Alexandria that affirmed that Christ is not divine but a created being. Over 300 bishops, each with additional accompanying priests and staff attended the Council. They came from across the Roman Empire, from as far away as Persia and Spain, convened to debate the nature of Christ and to achieve consensus on foundational Christian doctrine, among which was the exact day for Easter. There was clearly a schism developing between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity. One example of this is evident from the fact that both Greek and Latin were the official languages of the Council.
The Council of Nicaea
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has a “council” (now called “convention”) every year. Last year there were 377 lay and clerical delegates attending the annual convention of the Diocese of Virginia to discuss issues before the church and make resolutions. Each congregation sends its clergy and lay delegate(s) depending on the number of members in the congregation, to convention to vote on issues before the convention. Do you know who your lay delegate at Epiphany is? Do you know how she voted on the issues?
In addition, the national legislative body of the Episcopal Church consists of a House of Bishops, which includes all active and retired bishops, and a House of Deputies, which includes four lay persons and four clergy from each diocese, each area mission, and the Convocation of the American Churches in Europe. The Convention meets every three years. The Houses meet and act separately, and both must concur to adopt legislation. The General Convention alone has authority to amend the Prayer Book and the church’s Constitution, to amend the canons (laws) of the church, and to determine the program and budget of the General Convention, including the missionary, educational, and social programs it authorizes. A majority of bishops may request the Presiding Bishop to call a Special General Convention. Special General Conventions met in 1821 and in 1969. The General Convention elects twenty of the forty members of the Executive Council, which administers policy and program between the triennial meetings of the General Convention.
The Creed is Issued 
The main theological figures involved in the Council of Nicaea were Arius and Athanasius of Alexandria. The dispute between these two figures concentrated on the nature of Jesus Christ, with Arius claiming that Jesus Christ was not entirely divine and Athanasius believing that he was. It was the Athanasius faction that prevailed, and the Council adopted the position that the Son was taken to have exactly the same essence as the Father in the Trinity. While a Creed was issued, it did not entirely settle the issues with the various factions. These differences continued over time which included not only religious issues but the political issues and power struggles among the bishops and their respective cities. Moreover, it did not answer my question with respect to ‘… proceeds from …” with respect to the Holy Ghost and I had to turn to the subsequent Council of Constantinople in 380 for my answer which will be discussed in the next message.
Did you know?
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has a “council” (now called “convention”) every year. Last year there were 377 lay and clerical delegates attending the annual convention of the Diocese of Virginia to discuss issues before the church and make resolutions. Each congregation sends its clergy and lay delegate(s) depending on the number of members in the congregation, to the convention to vote on issues before the convention. Do you know who your lay delegate at Epiphany is? Do you know how she voted on the issues?

In addition, the national legislative body of the Episcopal Church consists of a House of Bishops, which includes all active and retired bishops, and a House of Deputies, which includes four lay persons and four clergy from each diocese, each area mission, and the Convocation of the American Churches in Europe. The Convention meets every three years. The Houses meet and act separately, and both must concur to adopt legislation. The General Convention alone has authority to amend the Prayer Book and the church’s Constitution, to amend the canons (laws) of the church, and to determine the program and budget of the General Convention, including the missionary, educational, and social programs it authorizes. A majority of bishops may request the Presiding Bishop to call a Special General Convention. Special General Conventions met in 1821 and in 1969. The General Convention elects twenty of the forty members of the Executive Council, which administers policy and program between the triennial meetings of the General Convention.

Do you have any questions for the Camel? Questions about God, or Jesus, or the Church? About how to be Christian? Submit them via email to clergy@epiphanyec.org. Your name will be kept anonymous. 

And a response will show up in a future Hump Day Message!

Children and Youth – enjoy the our Sunday Summer Series through July during worship! Join us for worship at 10 am!

Bring School Supplies and Shoes (“Soles for Souls!”) for blessing scheduled for Sunday 8/4. Bins are in the narthex!

Fire Pit Friday THIS Friday! 7pm. Come enjoy some time aournd the fire!

Come Saturday at 9am – Lake Anne Coffee House – at Lake Anne. Coffee & Conversation is offered again! Visit with the Rev. Dina and whomever comes along for a relaxing chat and to the weekend!