On this Sunday, we celebrate the First Ecumenical Council, which occurred in Nicaea in 325 AD. Before addressing that council, Fr. Gregory first addresses the Council of Jerusalem, which established the foundation of our conciliar tradition in the Orthodox Church. This council, the account of which we find in Acts 15, was convened to address the question of whether or not Greek gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved.

Although the issue addressed at the Council of Jerusalem was an intense disagreement, the church did not fracture. It gathered together for open dialogue conducted in order, prayer, and humility. After the council finished discussing the matter, Acts 15 said that “It seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit.” The decision of the council was made by the Holy Spirit and the church together. This is the foundation of conciliarity, which involves prayerful communion, apostolic authority, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The result is peace, a unity preserved, and a faith protected.

Three centuries later, the same model would be called upon to resolve a dangerous dispute. Arius, a fourth-century priest, taught that Jesus is not truly God, and he is not eternal. St. Paul warned that such teachings would arise, but the church followed the same model established in Acts 15. After much discussion, Christ’s divinity was codified and defended, and the Nicene Creed was developed. Today, we still say this creed together at every Divine Liturgy.

When the church is faced with confusion, division, or heresy, she does not retreat into individualism. Instead, she gathers together, listens, and allows the Holy Spirit to speak through the consensus of the faithful.