First Council of Constantinople
The council reaffirmed the Nicene faith amid continuing Arian disputes and defended the Holy Spirit as Lord and giver of life, worshiped and glorified with the Father and Son.
Historical context
Its creed was received and cited through a later conciliar history. Basil died before the meeting; Gregory the Theologian's role in Constantinople should not be confused with authorship of every later formula.
Key points
- Compare the 325 creed and the creed received as Constantinopolitan.
- Canon 2 addresses episcopal boundaries.
- The status and textual history of individual canons require attention to the source's editorial notes.
Scripture
- Matthew 28:19 — The baptismal naming of Father, Son, and Spirit.
- John 15:26 — The Spirit's procession is named in the Gospel.
Primary sources
The creed confesses:
The received Constantinopolitan creed names the Spirit as Lord and giver of life, proceeding from the Father and worshiped with the Father and Son.
the Lord and Giver-of-Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified
Passage context and translation
The council confesses the Spirit's divine lordship and the Father's monarchy in the Creed received by the Church.
Before the excerpt
And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost,
After the excerpt
who spoke by the prophets.