Original scientific paper
Ursacius and Valens and the Syrmium Rule of Faith
Christoph Markschies
; Faculty of Theology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Abstract
The article reflects upon the role of two bishops, Ursacius and Valens, in defining the ‘Dated Creed’ denomination. First we can find the explanation of various historical sources mentioning and interpreting the assembly of the bishops in Syrmium, in 359 AD. Then there is the analysis of the historical context: emperor Constantius’ politics and the influence of the two bishops on the emperor.
The Creed of the Dated Synod is interpreted as a compromise reached between different theological trends: it disassociates itself from Arius and comprises the elements of the Antiochian creed and Syrian influence. The prevailing character of the entire Creed is essentially Homoean. The contribution of the two bishops to the Synod was indisputably not insignificant, but their role is still a mystery. The appearance of Ursacius and Valens at the Council of Ariminum ended up as a disaster possibly because of the very compromise formula of the Dated Synod and the cancellation of the annexes κατα πάντα, which distanced the Creed from the general Western viewpoint of the majority.
Keywords
Ursacius; Valens; Dated Council; Syrmium; Homoians; Constantius
Hrčak ID:
67247
URI
Publication date:
29.4.2011.
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