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; Athanasius deposed and condemned again. |
| Ancient Descriptions |
Athanasius, De Synodis II.27; Epiphanius Panarion 71.1-5; Sulpicius Severus, Chronica 2.37.5; Socrates HE 2.29-30; Sozomen HE 4.6 (The latter two conflates this council with the council held in this city in 357.); Hilary, De Synodis, 38-61 (the creed plus commentary) |
Surviving Documents:
Bibliography
Barnes, T.D. Athanasius and Constantius (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993), 109-110.
Hanson, R.P.C. The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God (New York: T&T Clark, 1988), pp. 325-329.
Simonetti, M. “Sirmium” in The Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014), vol. 3, p. 601.
Created by MKM, JCB, PSAM, GLT
Last updated: 5-30-2024
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