Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
“The clergy of the poorhouses, monasteries, and martyr chapels shall remain under the jurisdiction of the bishops belonging to the cities, and shall not conduct themselves in a self-willed or disobedient manner towards their own bishops. Those, however, who venture to violate this ordinance in any manner whatever, and do not submit to their bishop, if they are clerics, shall be subject to the canonical penalties, and if they are monks or laymen, they shall be excommunicated.”
Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) “Canon 8” in History of the Councils of the Church, Volume 3 by Charles Joseph, 317.
Now we move to the fourth council, which is the most documented of them all. That means there’s a lot of material so I may spend some time on this one. This huge gathering of 500 bishops would sort things in the church for more than 100 years.
1. Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)
2. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
3. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680)
7. Second Council of Nicea (A.D. 787)
The mural in the header photo I shot in the cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv depicts this council. Emperor Marcian presided with his wife, Pulcheria, the sister of the previous emperor, Theodosius II.
Today’s post comes from the canons of that council. Again, a canon represents an ecclesiastical or church rule that came out of the council. This canon or rule instructed God’s servants to work together.
Notice the parachurch coming into view. Those who ministered at the “poorhouses, monasteries, and martyr chapels” got instructions to submit to their local bishop. This is not insignificant.
It aimed to bring unity and accountability to the Christian workers. The Church struggled because these God-fearing servants were going rogue and working disconnected from the Church. This weakened the Church.
Might this be the reason that the Church and parachurch ministries often appear weak in the public view today? They function disconnected. And notice the implications of lack of compliance.
Some violators were ordained, others were not. The ordained who did not comply received penalties. Those not ordained would be excommunicated. If that sounds strict, remember, it aimed to preserve the vitality of the Church.
We will spend more time on this council, but today don’t miss the lesson. If we value unity and accountability while serving in ministry we can help preserve the life of the Church and advance a generous Christian witness to a watching world.