Walpole
Member
- Sep 9, 2018
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As many as 318 bishops signed the creed at Nicea.
Only 5 were from the Western church.
...Because the majority of the world's bishops were from the East. And yet, the Council was called by the bishop of Rome...
“As soon as the evil of heresy began to reach that pitch which the Arian blasphemy has now attained, three hundred and eighteen of our Fathers were selected by the most holy bishop of Rome to deliberate the subject at Nice.” (Theodoret, Ecclesiastical History, II, 22, Dam. Ad Epist.)
“This same holy and universal synod, here present, faithfully accepts and welcomes with open hands the report of Agatho, most holy and most blessed pope of elder Rome, that came to our most reverend and most faithful emperor Constantine, which rejected by name those who proclaimed and taught, as has been already explained, one will and one principle of action in the incarnate dispensation of Christ our true God.” (Exposition of the Faith at the Third Council of Constantinople)
The bishop of Rome, on account of his advanced age, could not make the 1475 mile trek from Rome to Nicea. He therefore sent the Bishop of Cordova, Hosius (Osius), along with two priests from Rome, Vitus (Vito) and Vincentius, as his personal representatives at Nicea...
“Three hundred and eighteen bishops were assembled. The bishop of Rome, on account of his very advanced age, was absent, but he sent two presbyters to the council, with authority to agree to what was done.” (Theodoret, Ecclesiastical History, I, 6)
“And Hosius was the representative of the Bishop of Rome; and he was present at the Council of Nicea, with two Roman priests Vitus and Vincentius.” (Galasius of Cyzicus, Volumen Actorum Con Nic., II, 5)
----> These three representatives of the bishop of Rome were the first men the first to sign the official Acts of the Council; two of whom were but simple priests, signing ahead of the great Patriarchs of the East.