COUNCIL OF

The first, and, according to most writers, the most important, oecumenical council held in the Christian church. It was convened, a. d. 325, at Niccca, by the emperor Const an tine, in order to settle differences that had arisen in the Christian church in respect to the doctrines of Arius. This council was attended by upwards of 250 bishops, of whom a great majority came from the East, besides presbyters, deacons, and others from all parts of the Christian world- The chief question, as was remarked above, was the Arian lieresy; and the council i ued in the excommunication of Arius. {See Arians.) The decision of this council had not the effect of restoring tranquillity to the Eastern church, for the Arian controversy was still warmly carried on; but it has supplied that mode of stating the doctrine of the Divinity (as far as relates to the Father and Son) in which it has ever since been received by the orthodox. See Nicene Creed, Council. [s. 838]