At the time, there were many varying opinions about Christian doctrine, and no centralized way of enforcing orthodoxy. Constantine called all the Christian bishops throughout the Roman Empire to a meeting, and some 318 bishops (very few from the Western Empire) attended the First Council of Nicaea. The purpose of this meeting was to define Christian orthodoxy and clearly differentiate it from Christian heresies. The meeting reached consensus on the Nicene Creed and other statements. Later, Philostorgius criticized Christians who offered sacrifice at statues of the divus Constantine. Constantine nevertheless took great pains to assuage traditionalist and Christian anxieties. COUNT 5
QSN1 What group did Constantine call to a meeting? ANS1 First Council of Nicaea QSN2 From where were the bishops in attendance at the Council few in number? ANS2 Western Empire QSN3 How many bishops attended the First Council? ANS3 318 QSN4 What agreement was reached a the Council of Nicaea ? ANS4 Nicene Creed QSN5 What was the Council of Nicaea meant to define? ANS5 Christian orthodoxy