Calvin’s Institutes, IV.7.11-16. “Attitude of fifth- and sixth-century popes: Rome vs. Constantinople.”Photo to the right is from a 9th-century work. It is a take on the Council of Constantinople, 381. It is important to recognize these issues are still standing matters of division between East and West.
Calvin busily puts Rome in its place as he defangs the claim of Rome to Petrine supremacy.
IV.7.15: “How Leo Resented the Recognition of Constantinople”
Observations:
1. The First Council of Constantinople, 381, clarified the divinity of the Holy Spirit as well as reaffirmed the Nicene Creed. Arianism had revived during the fourth century. Some have said the 381 Council was a “commentary” on the Nicene Creed. Gregory of Nazianzus presided. Notably, the Nicene Creed is still recited in Orthodox, Roman, Anglican and Lutheran worship services to this day.
2. Seven canons were directed at this Council, four doctrinal and three disciplinary.
3. The famous third canon reads:
a. “The Bishop of Constantinople, however, shall have the prerogative of honour after the Bishop of Rome because Constantinople is the new Rome.” This is based on an earlier understanding that metropolitan centres were to be allocated according to political units. The move of the Empire to Constantinople occasions fears.
b. Rome had long been viewed as an important persuasive centre of Christianity, but no one ever regarded the bishop of Rome as infallible nor a universal see. Alexandria and Antioch had been vigourous centres of Christianity.
c. This Council was a first step in elevating Constantinople, the new Rome of 50 years of age, a fact that would later irritate Leo of Rome. Often, the bishop of Constantinople--as well--sought supremacy over other bishops.
d. Rome was honoured, but they protested the elevation of Constantinople and the diminishment of Antioch and Alexandria. Jerusalem, as the site of the first Church (and church council), retained its place of honour. It is important to remember this preceded the ravages of the Muslim conquests in the east and that Christianity had been widely scattered throughout these eastern dioceses.
4. By 451 and the Council of Chalcedon, Constantinople would be recognized as the ecumenical jurisdiction of highest ecclesiastical appeal. Leo in Rome is unamused and in consternation.
5. Leo protested the elevation of the see of Constantinople, deeming “worthless what six hundred or more bishops had decreed.” Leo also “bitterly reproached them with having deprived other sees of that honor which they had dared to confer upon the church of Constantinople. What but sheer ambition, I pray, could stir the man to trouble the world with such a sheer trifle?”
6. Calvin objects to Leo’s trifle: “As though the Christian faith were imperiled if one church were preferred over another…”
7. No Eastern bishops objected to the Chalcedonian arrangement, but Leo. It was for the Eastern bishops to protest, not him.
8. Leo foresaw and feared that Constantinople’s elevation in the new Rome meant his diminishment and the possible “exaltation” over Rome. Sheer ambition.
Correlations:
1. Hildebrandian Papacy. Hildebrand, called “Hell Fire” in Germany.
2. The Great Schism of 1054, which divided Eastern and Western Christianity, the result of long-standing political, doctrinal, ecclesiastical, geographical and even linguistic contests.
3. The Fourth Lateran Council, 1215, wherein Petrine supremacy over the world was re-asserted.
4. Unam Sanctum, 1301-2. The bull by Boniface declared that the Church must be united and the Pope is the sole and absolute head of the Church: "Therefore, of the one and only Church there is one body and one head, not two heads like a monster." "We are informed by the texts of the gospels that in this Church and in its power are two swords; namely, the spiritual and the temporal" The temporal authorities must submit to Rome.
The bull ends "Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff." In the bull, Boniface reiterates what popes since the time of Gregory VII had been declaring, long after Gregory 1.
Interpretation:
The attitudes of fifth century bishops in the east do not cede to Rome a supremacy other than a “place of honour.” Leo resents the recognition afforded to Constantinople, their growing influence, and failure to embrace his views.
No comments:
Post a Comment