The Roman Synodal Letter Confi dimus Quidem in the Context of Relations Between the Churches of East and West (370–379)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the reconstruction of the project of the Arian crisis’s resolution proposed by the Roman and Italian Churches to the local Churches of Illyricum and East (370(1)). According to the author, this project was fixed in the letter of one of the Roman councils in the pontificate of Pope Damasus I (366–384), known as Confi dimus quidem. This text was originally perceived with little enthusiasm by eastern Neo-Nicene bishops and probably also by St. Athanasius the Great, because it attempted to supplement the Nicene creed by theological formula expressed in Latin theological categories. In particular, the letter used the concept of substantia, which could be translated into Greek, not only as οuσία, but also as uπόστασις, while the eastern Neo-Nicene bishops insisted on the distinction between these terms. In addition, in the text there were elements of the ecclesiological conception of Roman centralism. For example the letter proclaims the dependence of ecumenical council decisions’ authority from its reception by Roman bishop. The Church of Rome, apparently, regarded Confi dimus quidem as a document which had to endorse any bishop who wanted to be received in Roman communion. In 379, the Council of Antioch included Confi dimus quidem in the collection of approved Roman doctrinal fragments. This action probably helped to restore communion between the eastern and western Nicene bishops.

Keywords

• Roman Church
• Roman councils
• Arian controversy
• Confi dimus quidem
• Damasus I
• St. Basil the Great
• St. Meletius of Antioch
• St. Athanasius the Great.