Ecumenical councils

[Memento Mori]

Two questions:

1) Is it true that the Orthodox only accept the first seven councils as ecumenical?
2) If yes to the first, why haven't there been more?

Thank you.

 

[buzuxi02]

Correct only the first seven, though some within Orthodoxy consider the council held in the 9th century which reinstated St Photius as patriarch and condemned any additions to the Creed along with a series of councils held in the 14th century dealing with the uncreated energies of God as on par with the 7 ecumenical councils.

The reason why no other councils have been recognized as ecumenical since then, is because no heresy has ever arisen for the need to call one. In Orthodoxy, councils are only called upon to pronounce upon a heresy. A heresy which finds traction and begins dividing the church. The council will establish right belief from wrong belief, clarify the true apostolic traditon as dogma and anathemize those heretics who do not repent.
Never has been a need for it. Although there are many binding pan-Orthodox councils which have been convened through the centuries.

 

[Memento Mori]

Got it. Thank you.

 

[Gnostophorrion]

Two questions:

1) Is it true that the Orthodox only accept the first seven councils as ecumenical?

Yes.

2) If yes to the first, why haven't there been more?

First, for a council to Ecumenical all the Bishops have to be present at the said council. And to add, it takes many years of historical development for said council be declared Ecumenical.

I would say there hasn't been more, because the Church had already dealt (in the historical past) with the theological and dogmatic issues concerning church politics and Christology.

. . .

 

[E.C.]

To add to this, another requirement for a Council to be considered Ecumenical is that the canons and decisions from the Council need to survive the test of time.

There was a Council in Ephesus sometime before the Monophysites, however, this council known as Ephesus II was denounced at a later council. Thus Ephesus II did not survive the test of time and thus it is not considered Ecumenical by any means and due to the heresies and so forth at the time it is considered a robber council.