Key Christian Doctrines and Ecumenical Councils Overview

Docetism

Belief that Jesus only seemed to be human.

Arianism

Belief that Jesus wasn't fully God, but greater than humans.

Nestorianism

Belief that Jesus had two separate characteristics: humanity and divinity.

Monophysitism

Belief that Jesus had one combined nature of humanity and divinity.

Homoousios

Means 'of the same substance.' Used at Nicaea to state that the Son is of the same divine essence as the Father.

Cunctos Populos

The decree issued by Emperor Theodosius I in 380 AD declaring Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Real Presence

Catholic belief that Jesus Christ is truly, fully present as Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist.

Transubstantiation

The change of the essence of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, while the accidents remain bread and wine.

In Persona Christi

Means 'in the person of Christ.' The priest acts in the person of Christ during the sacraments, especially during the Eucharistic consecration.

Monstrance

A sacred vessel used to display the consecrated Host for Eucharistic Adoration.

Liturgy

The public worship of the Church, especially the Mass and the celebration of the sacraments.

Theotokos

Greek for 'God-bearer' or 'Mother of God.' Title given to Mary and affirmed at the Council of Ephesus.

Tome of Leo

A letter written by Pope Leo I explaining that Christ has two full natures, divine and human, united in one Person, influential at the Council of Chalcedon.

Cathedral

The principal church of a diocese containing the bishop's chair (cathedra).

Basilica

A church given special honor by the Pope for historical, architectural, or spiritual significance.

Theosis

The process of becoming more like God through grace; divinization.

Kyrie Eleison

Greek for 'Lord, have mercy.' One of the oldest prayers in the Mass.

Nicaea

Council held in 325 AD to address Arianism; outcome was the condemnation of Arianism and affirmation of Jesus as homoousios with the Father.

Constantinople

Council held in 381 AD to clarify the Trinity and the divinity of the Holy Spirit; outcome was the expansion of the Nicene Creed and affirmation of the Holy Spirit's full divinity.

Ephesus

Council held in 431 AD to address Nestorianism and the nature of Christ; outcome was the declaration of Mary as Theotokos and affirmation of Christ as one Person with two united natures.

Chalcedon

Council held in 451 AD to address Monophysitism; outcome was the declaration of Christ as one Person with two natures, fully human and fully divine, and acceptance of the Tome of Leo.

March 25; Gabriel the Angel tells Mary she will give birth to Christ.

Annunciation

September 8; Celebrates the Birth of Mary.

Nativity of Mary

December 8; Mary was conceived without original sin.

Immaculate Conception

January 1; Celebrates Mary as Theotokos, Mother of Divine Person Jesus.

Mary Mother of God

Monday after Pentecost; Honors Mary's spiritual motherhood of the Church.

Mary Mother of the Church

August 15; Mary was taken body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Assumption

February 11; Celebrates Mary's apparitions to St. Bernadette in France (1858); associated with healing.

Our Lady of Lourdes

December 12; Celebrates Mary's apparition to St. Juan Diego in Mexico (1531).

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Vestment color is Green.

Ordinary Time

Vestment color is Purple.

advent

Vestment color is White.

Christmas

Vestment color is Purple.

Lent

Vestment color is Red.

Pentecost

Red for Martyrs/Apostles and White for Mary.

colors for different types of saints

Vestment color is Rose.

3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent