AD 325

First Council of Nicaea

The teaching of the Alexandrian presbyter Arius that the Son was created and not eternal.

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Location: Nicaea in Bithynia (İznik, Turkey)
Leaders: Emperor Constantine convoked it; Hosius of Córdoba presided; Alexander of Alexandria and the deacon Athanasius were prominent
Issues discussed: The relationship of the Son to the Father
The date of Easter
Discipline of clergy and the Melitian schism
Decisions made: The Son is “consubstantial” (homoousios) with the Father
Arius's propositions were condemned
Twenty disciplinary canons were enacted
Historical impact: The first ecumenical creed; the pattern of settling doctrine by council. Arianism nevertheless remained powerful for decades afterwards.
Original documents: Creed and canons of Nicaea I

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Nicaea did not decide the contents of the Bible. No ancient source records any vote on the canon there; that claim is a modern invention.