The Council of Chalcedon was an ecumenical council of the Christian Church convened in 451 AD in the city of Chalcedon, which is now part of Istanbul, Turkey. The council was called to address a controversy that arose within the church regarding the nature of Christ. The central issue under discussion was the relationship between Christ's divine and human natures and how they were united in one person.
The council, which was attended by over 500 bishops, affirmed the orthodox position that Christ had two distinct and unconfused natures - one fully divine and one fully human - united in one person, without any mixture or change. This understanding of Christ's nature became known as the Chalcedonian Definition or the Chalcedonian Formula.
The Council of Chalcedon is considered one of the most important councils in the history of Christianity. Its formulation of the orthodox doctrine of Christology laid the foundation for the Chalcedonian orthodoxy that continues to be upheld by the majority of Christian denominations to this day.
The council's decision, however, was not without controversy. Some eastern churches, particularly the Oriental Orthodox churches, rejected the Chalcedonian Definition, leading to a division in the Christian Church that persists to this day. These churches adhere to what is known as the Miaphysite view, which believes in the unity of Christ's nature without separation but with a single nature that is both divine and human.
Despite the ongoing theological divisions, the Council of Chalcedon remains a key event in Christian history that shaped the understanding of Christ's nature and laid the groundwork for subsequent theological developments.
