Mary at the First Council of the Church in 325

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Mary at the First Council of the Church: The Context of Nicaea 325

Understanding Mary at the First Council of the Church requires situating the event of Nicaea (325) within the fourth-century Christological debate. While the First Council did not directly address mariology, the defense of the full divinity of the Son paved the way for the future definition of Mary as *Theotokos* at Ephesus (431).> In 318, Arius (260-336), who was a priest at the church of Baukalis in Alexandria since 313, clashed with his bishop Alexander of Alexandria. This was due to Arius’ support in his sermons, letters, hymns, and writings, such as *Thaleia* (Banquet), which promoted a rigidly subordinating theology.

What is Subordinatism?

This heresy attributes a lower position to the Son than the Father, and considers the Holy Spirit inferior to both the Father and the Son. During a time when the Trinity doctrine was still unclear, and theologians struggled to safeguard the monarchy (Greek: unique principle) of the Father, there was a tendency to interpret the Son and the Holy Spirit as subordinate agents of an absolutely transcendent Father.An ascetic and eloquent preacher, Arius enjoyed great popularity among the people. His clear and rationalist doctrine, intentionally polemical against the Alexandrian school, caused a great stir. He criticized Alexandrian theologians for modalism and, in turn, completely distanced the Logos from God.

What is Modalism?

This heresy emphasized the unity of God so much that it denied the personal distinction between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They were not three personal beings, but rather three manifestations or forms through which the one God reveals himself and acts in creation and redemption.For Arius, the Logos was not true God; in fact, it was fundamentally different from God, neither eternal nor omnipotent, but created in time, imperfect, and subject to change. However, the Logos was still the first of all creatures, superior to humans, and thus could be described as a demi-god (demiurgos). But his divinity was not. By denying the divinity of Christ, Arius inevitably placed himself outside of Christianity.As this heresy spread throughout the Christian world, Emperor Constantine decided to convene a council.

The First Ecumenical Council

From May 20 to July 25, 325, the first Ecumenical Council of the Empire took place in Nicaea. Constantine offered his postal service to the bishops of the Empire free of charge. The number of participants is uncertain: one list records 220 names, while another suggests as many as 318, referencing the 318 servants of Abraham (Gn 14:14). Eusebius mentions approximately 250 bishops, most of whom were from the eastern part of the Empire. Only five bishops from the West attended. Pope Sylvester, due to his advanced age, was absent and was represented by two presbyters. Many bishops still bore the scars of the recent persecution:> “As a messenger of God, radiant in the splendor of purple and gold,” as Eusebius would later describe the Emperor in his *Ecclesiastical History*, the Emperor moved among them with gravity, taking time to greet each one, especially the martyr bishops. He also delivered a speech in Latin.Arius defended his theory, with seventeen bishops siding with him, including Eusebius of Nicomedia. The young deacon Athanasius, accompanying his bishop, was also present in Nicaea. After lengthy and heated debates, the orthodox view prevailed.The Nicene Creed, a statement of faith, defined the correct doctrine as follows:> “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father, that is, from the substance of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father… Through him all things were made, both in heaven and on earth. And for our sake he descended from heaven, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. (We believe) in the Holy Spirit also.”Those who deny that Christ was of the same substance as the Father, or who assert that he could change or be altered, are condemned by the Catholic Church.For a deeper reflection on Mary in the context of Church Councils, refer to Pope John Paul II’s encyclical *Redemptoris Mater*, which illuminates Mary’s role in the light of Church teaching.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian theology, Marian apparitions, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.In summary, Mary is implicitly but decisively present at the First Council of the Church: by confessing the consubstantiality of the Son, the First Council of the Church ensured that the motherhood of the Virgin would be recognized as true divine motherhood. Learn more about the Symbolum Nicenum through the text of the Council of Nicaea: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1J.HTM.