Primary sourceDocument553

Second Council of Constantinople

553

The church council Justinian convoked in 553 to condemn the Three Chapters and pressure Pope Vigilius.

Justinian convoked this council and pressured Pope Vigilius into accepting his theological condemnation of the Three Chapters.

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Fresco of a church council: a seated central figure with a halo, in dark red robes, raises one hand while bishops with halos and white vestments stand on both sides, some holding books, with architectural arches behind. — Fresco of the Second Council of Constantinople, Ferapontov Monastery, Vologda Oblast, Russia.

About this source

What it is

The Second Council of Constantinople was an ecumenical church council held in 553, convoked by Emperor Justinian I under the presidency of Patriarch Eutychius. Mostly Eastern bishops attended.

Why it matters

The council confirmed Justinian's own edict condemning the

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Close-up of a Byzantine mosaic portrait showing a man with dark hair, a jeweled diadem, and a gold halo, wearing a dark embroidered garment with a jeweled collar. Gold tesserae fill the background.

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Primary source

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Painting

Secondary source

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Tribonian · 528-534

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Artifact

Primary source

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Artifact

Secondary source

Hagia Sophia

Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles · 532-537 CE

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