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The Seven Holy Ecumenical Councils

c. 325 – 787 · Conciliar period · Universal Orthodox Church

The Holy Fathers gathered in council under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox Church receives seven councils as Ecumenical: Nicaea I (325), Constantinople I (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople II (553), Constantinople III (680–681), and Nicaea II (787). The Quinisext Council in Trullo (692) is received in the East as having ecumenical authority for its disciplinary canons. The canons of certain local councils (Ancyra, Gangra, Neocaesarea, Antioch, Laodicea, Sardica, Carthage) were ratified by the Ecumenical Synods and likewise carry conciliar weight.

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