Arianism

(noun)

A Christian sect in late antiquity that asserts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was created by God the Father at a point in time, is distinct from the Father, and is therefore subordinate to the Father.

Related Terms

(noun)

A Christian belief that asserts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was created by God the Father at a point in time, is distinct from the Father and is therefore subordinate to the Father. Arian teachings were first attributed to Arius (c. AD 250–336), a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt. They gained popularity in the Iberian Peninsula before Catholicism became the predominant religion of the region.

Related Terms

Examples of Arianism in the following topics:

  • The Development of Papal Supremacy

    • Decisions made at the Council of Nicea (325) about the divinity of Christ led to a schism; the new religion, Arianism, flourished outside the Roman Empire.
    • In 380, the Edict of Thessalonica declared Nicene Christianity, as opposed to Arianism, to be the state religion of the empire, with the name "Catholic Christians" reserved for those who accepted that faith.
    • After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, barbarian tribes were converted to Arian Christianity or Catholicism; Clovis I, king of the Franks, was the first important barbarian ruler to convert to Catholicism rather than Arianism, allying himself with the papacy.
    • Other tribes, such as the Visigoths, later abandoned Arianism in favor of Catholicism.

  • The Catholic Church

    • After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, the Catholic faith competed with Arianism for the conversion of the barbarian tribes.
    • During this period the Visigoths and Lombards moved away from Arianism toward Catholicism.

  • The Reconquista

    • Although the period of rule by the Visigothic Kingdom (ca. 5th-8th century) saw the brief spread of Arianism, Catholic religion coalesced in Spain at the time.
    • This put an end to dissension on the question of Arianism.

  • The Eastern Roman Empire, Constantine the Great, and Byzantium

    • ., most notably the dispute over Arianism, and the nature of God.
    • The Council of Nicaea is most known for its dealing with Arianism and for instituting the Nicene Creed, which is still used today by Christians.