Second Ecumenical Council

First Council of Constantinople

381 · Constantinople · convened under Theodosius I

Historical context

Convened to settle continuing Arian and Macedonian controversies over the Holy Spirit.

Major decisions

  • Affirmed the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.
  • Expanded the Nicene Creed into the form recited today (Niceno-Constantinopolitan).

Canons

7 canons on ecclesiastical discipline and the rank of Constantinople.

Long-term impact

Trinitarian dogma is set in its definitive Niceno-Constantinopolitan form.