Second Council of Nicaea (787)

Epitome of the Definition of the Iconoclastic Conciliabulum held in Constantinople, A.D. 754. In this epitome of the verbose definition of the council, I have followed for the most part Hefele. (Hist

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[Then follows the prohibition of the making or teaching any other faith, and the penalties for disobedience. After this follow the acclamations.] The divine Kings Constantine and Leo said: Let the ho

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Examination of the Caroline Books. I. Authorship of the Caroline Books. I find that many writers on the subject of what they call “image worship,” speak frequently of these “Caroline Books,” and ref

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IV. The Chief Cause of Trouble a Logomachy. Now from all this one thing is abundantly clear, that the great point set forth with such learning and perspicuity by the Seventh Synod, to wit, the distin

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Extracts from the Acts. Session II. [The Papal Letters were presented by the Legates. First was read that to Constantine and Irene, but not in its entirety, if we may trust Anastasius the Librarian,

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And when the most blessed Pope heard it, he said: Since this has come to pass in the days of their reign, God has magnified their pious rule above all former reigns. And this suggestion (ἀναφορὰν) whi

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Extracts from the Acts. Session III. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 188.) Constantine, the most holy bishop of Constantia in Cyprus, said: Since I, unworthy that I am, find that the

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Extracts from the Acts. Session IV. [Among numerous passages of the Fathers one was read from a sermon by St. Gregory Nyssen in which he describes a painting representing the sacrifice of Isaac and

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Canon II. That he who is to be ordained a Bishop must be steadfastly resolved to observe the canons, otherwise he shall not be ordained. When we recite the psalter, we promise God: “I will meditate

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Canon IX. That none of the books containing the heresy of the traducers of the Christians are to be hid. All the childish devices and mad ravings which have been falsely written against the venerabl

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Canon VII. That to churches consecrated without any deposit of the reliques of the Saints, the defect should be made good. Paul the divine Apostle says: “The sins of some are open beforehand, and so

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The Divine “Divine” here, as usually in such connections, means “imperial.” Mendham (The Seventh General Council, the Second of Nicæa. London, s.d.) by a curious blunder takes the adjective for the

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The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the

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Extracts from the Acts. Session VI. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 389.) Leo the most renowned secretary said: The holy and blessed Synod know how at the last session we examined div

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IMPIETY OF ATTRIBUTING A VISIBLE FORM TO GOD.—THE SETTING UP OF IDOLS A DEFECTION FROM THE TRUE GOD. There are three leading divisions in this chapter. The first contains a refutation of those who as

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Anathema to those who dare to say that the Catholic Church hath at any time sanctioned idols. Anathema to those who say that the making of images is a diabolical invention and not a tradition of our

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And as the hands and feet are moved in accordance with the directions of the mind, so likewise, we, having received the grace and strength of the Spirit, and having also the assistance and co-operatio

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16. I come now to monstrous impieties, which it is strange they ventured to utter, and twice strange that all men did not protest against with the utmost detestation.Plaudite, the whole thus concludes

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Canon XV. That a clerk ought not to be set over two churches. From henceforth no clergyman shall be appointed over two churches, for this savours of merchandise and filthy lucre, and is altogether a

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12. I am not, however, so superstitious as to think that all visible representations of every kind are unlawful. But as sculpture and painting are gifts of God, what I insist for is, that both shall b

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