The Council of Sirmium (AD 351)
Key Facts:
| Date | Winter 351 |
| Location | Sirmium (in modern-day Serbia) |
| Summoned by |
Constantius II |
| Number of Participants |
Various Eastern bishops |
| Key Participants |
Basil of Ancyra; Photinus |
| Purpose | To examine the theology of Photinus |
| Key Events |
The debate between Basil and Photinus; Photinus’ subsequent condemnation; the production of a formula of faith which repeats that of Antioch AD 341; the production of 27 anathemas against Photinus as well as Marcellus of Ancyra |
| Ancient Descriptions |
Athanasius, De Synodis II.27; Epiphanius Panarion 71.1-5; Socrates HE 2.29-30; Sozomen HE 4.6 (The latter two confuse this council with the council held in this city in 357.) |
| Extant Documents |
Greek formulae by Mark of Arethusa (Socrates, HE II.30 xviff; Athanasius, De Synodis 27.1-3) Latin Formulae (Socrates, HE II.30) “The Dated Creed” presented at the Council of Arminium in 359 (Socrates, HE II.37) |
Bibliography
M. Simonetti,”Sirmium” in The Encyclopedia of the Early Church, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).
R.P.C. Hanson, The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God, (New York: T&T Clark, 1988).
MKM and JCB
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