News:
Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Journey outside of Italy saw see the Holy Father travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon between 27 November – 2 December 2025, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea. Pope Leo XIV became the first pope to make a pilgrimage to Nicaea.
Previous Popes in Turkey
There have been five prior papal visits to Turkey
Pope Paul VI (1967)
Pope John Paul II (1979)
Pope Benedict XVI (2006)
Pope Francis (2014)
Pope Leo XIV (2025)
Ecumenical councils are official gatherings of bishops from the entire Christian world to address important matters of faith, doctrine, and church practice. The word "ecumenical" means "representing the universal church," and these councils have historically been crucial for defining core beliefs, with the first seven councils being widely recognized across different Christian denominations. These early councils, which primarily focused on Christology and the nature of the Trinity, were called in what is now Turkey.
The first ecumenical councils are the first seven councils of Christianity, beginning with the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and concluding with the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD. They addressed Christological controversies and are crucial in shaping core Christian doctrines. The seven councils, in chronological order, are: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Second Constantinople (553), Third Constantinople (680–681), and Second Nicaea (787).
The First Seven Ecumenical Councils in Turkey
Between 325 and 787 AD, Turkey hosted the first seven Ecumenical Councils, shaping Christian doctrine.
First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) – Affirmed Christ’s divinity and established the Nicene Creed.
First Council of Constantinople (381 AD) – Declared the Holy Spirit as divine, completing the Trinity doctrine.
Council of Ephesus (431 AD) – Proclaimed Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer).
Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) – Defined Christ as fully divine and fully human.
Second Council of Constantinople (553 AD) – Condemned Nestorianism.
Third Council of Constantinople (680 AD) – Affirmed that Christ had two wills, divine and human.
Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD) – Approved the veneration of icons.
Key aspects of ecumenical councils
Purpose: To define and clarify Christian doctrine in response to theological questions or heresies, and to make decisions on church administration and discipline.
Authority: Their decisions, especially those concerning faith and morals, are considered to be binding upon the entire church.
Historical context: The first seven councils were held in the ancient world, mainly in what is now Turkey, and their decisions are still influential today. The Roman Catholic Church has convened 21 councils in total, with the most recent being the Second Vatican Council.
Number of councils: The number of councils considered "ecumenical" varies by denomination. For example, the Eastern Orthodox churches recognize seven, while the Roman Catholic Church recognizes 21.