Councils of Orange
Encyclopedia
The Councils of Orange comprised two synod
s held at Orange, France. The first (441) dealt with various church issues. The second (529) affirmed Augustine's teaching against Pelagian challenge.
441
, under the presidency of Hilary of Arles
, with Eucherius of Lyons also being present. Seventeen bishop
s attended the meeting. Thirty canons (or judgements) were passed, dealing with unction, the Permission of penance
, the right of asylum; recommending caution to bishops in the ordination
of foreign clergy
, the consecration of churches outside of their own jurisdictions, and other matters; imposing limitations on the administration of ecclesiastical rites to those who were in any way defective, either in body or mind; and emphasizing the duty of celibacy
for those belonging to the clerical state, especially deacon
s and widows, with express reference to canon viii. of the Synod of Turin (AD 401
). The exact interpretation of some of them (ii., iii., xvii.) is doubtful. Canon iv. is alleged to be in conflict with a decretal of Pope Siricius
; and ii. and xviii. betray an inclination to resist the introduction of Roman
customs. These canons were confirmed at the Synods of Arles about 443
.
and then Ostrogoth
ic rule. This meeting, for which occasion was given by the consecration of a church built by the governor of Gallia Narbonensis, was attended by fourteen bishops under the presidency of Caesarius of Arles. It was the chief of many councils that affirmed the theology of Augustine of Hippo
against Pelagianism
. It defined that faith, though a free act, resulted even in its beginnings, from the grace
of God, enlightening human mind
. However, it also denied the interpretation of Augustine as affirming strict predestination. It received the papal
sanction.
to establish what later came to be known as the Calvinist and Banezian doctrines of original sin
and total depravity
.
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
s held at Orange, France. The first (441) dealt with various church issues. The second (529) affirmed Augustine's teaching against Pelagian challenge.
First Council of Orange
The first took place on November 8, ADAnno Domini
and Before Christ are designations used to label or number years used with the Julian and Gregorian calendars....
441
441
Year 441 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Seleucus without colleague...
, under the presidency of Hilary of Arles
Hilary of Arles
Saint Hilary of Arles was a bishop of Arles. He is recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his feast day celebrated on 5 May.- Life :...
, with Eucherius of Lyons also being present. Seventeen bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s attended the meeting. Thirty canons (or judgements) were passed, dealing with unction, the Permission of penance
Penance
Penance is repentance of sins as well as the proper name of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Anglican Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation/Confession. It also plays a part in non-sacramental confession among Lutherans and other Protestants...
, the right of asylum; recommending caution to bishops in the ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
of foreign clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
, the consecration of churches outside of their own jurisdictions, and other matters; imposing limitations on the administration of ecclesiastical rites to those who were in any way defective, either in body or mind; and emphasizing the duty of celibacy
Celibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
for those belonging to the clerical state, especially deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s and widows, with express reference to canon viii. of the Synod of Turin (AD 401
401
Year 401 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Vincentius and Fravitus...
). The exact interpretation of some of them (ii., iii., xvii.) is doubtful. Canon iv. is alleged to be in conflict with a decretal of Pope Siricius
Pope Siricius
Pope Saint Siricius, Bishop of Rome from December 384 until his death on 26 November 399, was successor to Damasus I and was himself succeeded by Anastasius I....
; and ii. and xviii. betray an inclination to resist the introduction of Roman
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
customs. These canons were confirmed at the Synods of Arles about 443
443
Year 443 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Maximus and Paterius...
.
Second Council of Orange
On July 3, 529, another synod took place at Orange, which in the mean time had passed under BurgundianBurgundians
The Burgundians were an East Germanic tribe which may have emigrated from mainland Scandinavia to the island of Bornholm, whose old form in Old Norse still was Burgundarholmr , and from there to mainland Europe...
and then Ostrogoth
Ostrogoth
The Ostrogoths were a branch of the Goths , a Germanic tribe who developed a vast empire north of the Black Sea in the 3rd century AD and, in the late 5th century, under Theodoric the Great, established a Kingdom in Italy....
ic rule. This meeting, for which occasion was given by the consecration of a church built by the governor of Gallia Narbonensis, was attended by fourteen bishops under the presidency of Caesarius of Arles. It was the chief of many councils that affirmed the theology of Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
against Pelagianism
Pelagianism
Pelagianism is a theological theory named after Pelagius , although he denied, at least at some point in his life, many of the doctrines associated with his name. It is the belief that original sin did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without...
. It defined that faith, though a free act, resulted even in its beginnings, from the grace
Grace (Christianity)
In Christian theology, grace is God’s gift of God’s self to humankind. It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" - that takes the form of divine favour, love and clemency. It is an attribute of God that is most...
of God, enlightening human mind
Christian anthropology
In the context of Christian theology, theological anthropology refers to the study of the human as it relates to God. It differs from the social science of anthropology, which primarily deals with the comparative study of the physical and social characteristics of humanity across times and...
. However, it also denied the interpretation of Augustine as affirming strict predestination. It received the papal
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
sanction.
Influence
The canons of the first council are often cited in the contemporary debates over the ordination of women to the ministry. Canons of the second council played a central role in interpreting AugustineAugustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
to establish what later came to be known as the Calvinist and Banezian doctrines of original sin
Original sin
Original sin is, according to a Christian theological doctrine, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man. This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred...
and total depravity
Total depravity
Total depravity is a theological doctrine that derives from the Augustinian concept of original sin...
.