Editing First Council of Nicaea (section)

== Background ==
{{further|Christianity in the ante-Nicene period}}

=== Alexandrian controversies ===
{{main|Arian controversy|Melitians}}
The major impetus for the calling of the Council of Nicaea arose in a theological dispute among the Christian clergy of [[Alexandria]] concerning the nature of [[Jesus]], his origin, and relation to [[God the Father]].{{sfn|Lyman|2021|pp=43–44, 46}} Scholars propose dates between 318 and 322 for the beginning of the dispute.{{sfn|Lyman|2021|p=46}} The precise origins of the controversy are unclear, but the principal actors were [[Pope Alexander I of Alexandria|Archbishop Alexander of Alexandria]] and the presbyter [[Arius]].{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=130–132}} Arius' teachings are known partially from a few pieces of his writing which survive, but principally from his opponents, primarily Alexander and [[Athanasius of Alexandria]].{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=5–6}}{{sfn|Lyman|2021|pp=46, 57–60}} Arius criticized Alexander's teachings on [[Christology]]; Alexander taught that Jesus as [[God the Son]] was eternally generated from the Father, while Arius and his followers asserted that the Father alone was eternal, and that the Son was created or begotten by the Father, and thus had a defined point of origin and was subordinate to the Father.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=1, 6–7}}{{sfn|Lyman|2021|pp=47–50}} Arius accused Alexander of following [[Sabellianism|the teachings]] of [[Sabellius]], who taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were one person, rather than the view held throughout the east that they were distinct.{{sfn|Edwards|2006|p=554}} Alexander called a local council of bishops from Egypt and Libya, which sided with Alexander's view. Arius refused to subscribe to the council's decision, and he and several followers were excommunicated and exiled from Alexandria by Alexander. Arius then traveled to churches around the Roman east and wrote to bishops to gain support of his view. Among Arius' supporters were [[Eusebius of Nicomedia]] and [[Eusebius|Eusebius of Caesarea]], and they advocated for his view and his restoration to the church in Alexandria. Alexander also circulated letters defending his own position.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=134–135}}{{sfn|Lyman|2021|p=46}}

Parallel to the theological controversy between Alexander and Arius was the [[Melitian schism]] in the Alexandrian church. [[Melitius of Lycopolis|Melitius]], bishop of [[Lycopolis]], had acted in the stead of the imprisoned bishop [[Peter I of Alexandria]] during the [[Diocletianic Persecution]], but after Peter's death in 311 refused to give up his right to ordain clergy or recognize the authority of Peter's successors [[Pope Achillas of Alexandria|Achillas]] or Alexander.{{sfn|Edwards|2006|p=557}}{{sfn|Brent|2022}}

=== Constantine and the calling of the council ===
In 324, the western Roman emperor Constantine defeated the eastern emperor [[Licinius]] and became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.{{sfn|Cameron|2007|p=542}} It was at this time that, likely from Eusebius of Nicomedia, he became aware of the controversy between Alexander and Arius.{{sfn|Van Dam|2021|p=25}} Constantine wrote a letter to the two, urging them to end their dispute and reconcile.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|p=137}} This was not Constantine's first direct involvement in ecclesiastical controversy; he had previously attempted to resolve a schism over [[Donatism]] in North Africa, first appointing [[Pope Miltiades|Miltiades, Bishop of Rome]] to hear the dispute (with the instruction "I do not wish you to leave schism or division of any kind anywhere.") and then calling the [[Synod of Arles#Council of Arles in 314|Council of Arles]].{{sfn|Drake|2021|pp=113–114}}

Constantine's letter was carried to Alexandria by [[Hosius of Corduba|Bishop Hosius of Corduba]] as his representative. Hosius apparently then presided over a synod at Alexandria concerning the date of Easter, before calling a council of Eastern bishops in Antioch. This council endorsed Alexander's position and issuing a statement of faith that held that the Son was "begotten not from non-existence, but from the Father, not as made, but as genuine product" and contained anathemas against Arius.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=146–151}}{{sfn|Lyman|2021|p=46}} Eusebius of Caesaria was also temporarily excommunicated because of his contention that the Father and the Son were of two different natures.{{sfn|Ayres|2004|p=16}}{{sfn|Edwards|2006|pp=557–558}}

The bishops were then to assemble in [[Ancyra]] in Asia Minor for a "great and hierarchic council", either at their own impetus or Constantine's command. Constantine moved the council to [[Nicaea]] in Bithynia, a venue that would allow him to attend personally (due to its proximity to his capital at [[Nicomedia]]) and would allow easier access for bishops from throughout the empire.<ref>{{Citation |last=Drake |first=Harold A. |title=Church and Empire |date=2008-09-04 |work=The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Studies |pages=446–464 |editor-last=Harvey |editor-first=Susan Ashbrook |url=https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/42623/chapter-abstract/357712085?redirectedFrom=fulltext |access-date=2025-03-14 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199271566.003.0023 |isbn=978-0-19-927156-6 |editor2-last=Hunter |editor2-first=David G.}}</ref>{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=152–153}} The emperor had also planned a commemoration of the twentieth year of his reign in Nicaea.{{sfn|Drake|2021|p=120}}

=== Attendance and logistics===
The expenses of the council, including the travel of the bishops, were paid by the imperial treasury.{{sfn|Jacobs|2021|p=77}} Contemporary reports of attendance range from 250 to 300, with the figure of 318 given by Athanasius of Antioch becoming traditionally accepted.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=155–156}} 318 is also the number of members of [[Abraham]]'s household given in the [[Book of Genesis]].{{sfn|Edwards|2006|p=558}} Lists of signatories to the final decisions of the council contain 200–220 names.{{sfn|Gwyn|2021|p=93}} With presbyters and deacons attending each bishop, the total attendance may have been between 1200 and 1900.{{sfn|Jacobs|2021|p=77}} Most of the bishops were eastern, with about twenty from Egypt and Libya, another fifty from Palestine and Syria, and more than one hundred from Asia
Minor.{{sfn|Edwards|2006|p=558}} One bishop each from Persia and Scythia were present.{{sfn|Gwyn|2021|p=93}} The few western attendees were Hosius, [[Caecilianus|Caecilianus of Carthage]], [[Nicasius of Die]], [[Marcus of Calabria]], [[Domnus of Pannonia]], and Victor and Vicentius, two presbyters representing [[Pope Sylvester I|Bishop Sylvester of Rome]]. Of the eastern bishops, the principal supporters of Arius were Eusebius of Nicomedia, Eusebius of Caesarea, Menophantus of [[Metropolis of Ephesus|Ephesus]], [[Patrophilus of Scythopolis]], Narcissus of [[Irenopolis (Cilicia)#Bishopric|Neronias]], Theonas of Marmarike, [[Secundus of Ptolemais]], and [[Theognis of Nicaea]]. The principal anti-Arians included Alexander of Alexandria, [[Eustathius of Antioch]], [[Marcellus of Ancyra]] and [[Macarius of Jerusalem]].{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=156–157}}

The council was held in Nicea's imperial palace.{{sfn|Jacobs|2021|p=78}} The bishops most likely assembled in a rectangular [[basilica]] hall based on Eusebius of Caearea's description.{{sfn|Jacobs|2021|pp=82–86}}