Ecumenical Councils

Thinker, theologian, historian, church and public figure Anton Vladimirovich Kartashev (1875-1960) was a significant figure of the domestic religious renaissance of the early 20th century, and later of the first wave of Russian emigration. The book "Ecumenical Councils," first published in 1963 after the author's death, represents his experience of ancient church history while simultaneously providing a systematic account of the events of the 4th to 7th centuries. At the ecumenical councils - meetings of the highest clergy - the system of doctrine and worship was developed and approved, canonical norms and liturgical rules were formed, various theological concepts were evaluated, and methods of combating heresies were determined. Seven parts, dedicated to the seven ecumenical councils, contain not only descriptions of what occurred at the councils themselves, but also their background, the maturation of their decisions, and even important milestones and theological disputes not directly related to the topics of the councils.