Fifth Council of Constantinople

1341–1351 ecclesiastical council
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Fifth Council of Constantinople is a name given to a series of six councils held in the Byzantine capital Constantinople between 1341 and 1351, to deal with a dispute concerning the mystical doctrine of Hesychasm. These are referred to also as the Hesychast councils or the Palamite councils, since they discussed the theology of Gregory Palamas, whom Barlaam of Seminara opposed in the first of the series, and others in the succeeding five councils.

The result of these councils is accepted as having the authority of an ecumenical council by Eastern Orthodox Christians.[1]

History

As it became clear that the dispute between Barlaam and Palamas was irreconcilable and would require the judgment of an episcopal council, a series of six patriarchal councils was held in Constantinople on 10 June 1341, August 1341, 4 November 1344, 1 February 1347, 8 February 1347, and 28 May 1351 to consider the issues.[2]

Barlaam's primary supporter Emperor Andronicus III died just five days after the synod ended. Although Barlaam initially hoped for a second chance to present his case against Palamas, he soon realised the futility of pursuing his cause, and left for Calabria where he converted to the Roman Church and was appointed Bishop of Gerace.[3]

After Barlaam's departure, Gregory Akindynos became the chief critic of Palamas. A second council held in Constantinople in August 1341 condemned Akindynos and affirmed to findings of the earlier council. Akindynos and his supporters gained a brief victory at the third synod held in 1344 which excommunicated Palamas and one of his disciples, Isidore Buchiras.[4]

In May 1351, a patriarchal council conclusively exonerated Palamas and condemned his opponents.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bebis, George S. (2002). "Tradition in the Orthodox Church". New York, NY: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Archived from the original on 10 August 2002. Retrieved 10 March 2019. These councils are accepted as having ecumenical status.
  2. ^ Gregory Palamas: Historical Timeline Archived 2012-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b "Gregory Palamas: An Historical Overview". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  4. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Hesychasm". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2023-11-09.

Further reading

  • T. R. Valentine, "The Eighth and Ninth Ecumenical Councils"
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* Ecumenical status disputed within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
  1. ^ Even though the Council was moved to Ferrara in 1438 and later to Florence, some bishops refused to move and remained in a parallel Council at Basel.