Editing First Council of Nicaea (section)

=== 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}}