First Council of Nicaea

Called by the emperor Constantine in 325, the first ecumenical (from Greek oikumene, "worldwide") conference of bishops? of the Christian church dealt with the problems raised by the Arian opinion of the nature of Jesus Christ - God, man, or some mixture.

The bishops were offered the facilities of the imperial post system - free travel and lodging to and from their episcopal sees to the meeting - to encourage as full an attendance as possible. Constantine formally opened the session.

The Nicene Creed was adopted at this council, and the churches agreed to all celebrate Easter on the same day. The issue of how to establish the date of Easter was not settled until long afterwards however. Also see http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/nicea1.txt for a more extensive discussion of the council.

see Ecumenical council

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