Chalcedon — Fourth Ecumenical Council
About this date: Cyril of Alexandria died before the council; his earlier letters were read in its proceedings. Leo of Rome was represented by legates. Its reception differs between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions.
Chalcedon confesses one and the same Christ in two natures, without confusion, change, division, or separation.
People
- Marcian
- Pulcheria
- Leo of Rome
- Anatolius of Constantinople
Primary sources
The definition describes Christ:
Chalcedon's definition confesses the one Christ in two natures without confusion, change, division, or separation.
in two natures, unconfusedly, immutably, indivisibly, inseparably [united]
Passage context and translation
The definition confesses one and the same Christ in two natures while preserving both their distinction and their union in one person. Oriental Orthodox churches do not receive Chalcedon, even though later dialogues have identified significant shared Christological convictions.
Before the excerpt
This one and the same Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son [of God] must be confessed to be
After the excerpt
and that without the distinction of natures being taken away by such union