Council
Ariminum (Rimini)
359 · Ariminum
Attested. Contemporary letters describe the pressure and the eventual signatures.
Ariminum (Rimini): for and against
Most western bishops began on the Nicene side and later signed under pressure. Only leaders the sources name are listed. Jerome's groan is a verdict on that capitulation, from the Dialogue Against the Luciferians, not a ballot.
For the Nicene side
- Phoebadius of Agen
Attested
Bishop of Agen. Led the early refusal of the Homoian formula. Whether he later accepted a qualified text is disputed.
Against
- Ursacius of Singidunum
Attested
With Valens, pressed the imperial formula that banned substance language.
- Valens of Mursa
Attested
Bishop of Mursa. A main Homoian advocate at Ariminum. Not the emperor Valens.
Reservations or a third party
No one in this column. A blank is not a hidden vote.
Convened by. Constantius II
Issues. An imperial Homoian creed meant to end the controversy by forbidding ousia language. The Son was to be confessed as 'like the Father' according to the Scriptures, without 'substance.'
Outcomes. The western bishops first upheld Nicaea. Phoebadius of Agen is the clearest named leader of that refusal. Delegates were then worn down at Nike in Thrace, and most of the council signed the Homoian formula. Ancient reports say more than 400 bishops were there; that figure is round and is not a surviving roll. Jerome, in the Dialogue Against the Luciferians, wrote that the whole world groaned and was astonished to find itself Arian. He was judging this capitulation years later, not counting votes.
Canons or creeds. No canonical book list. The sequel was a Homoian formula pushed at Constantinople in 360. That meeting is not the council of 381.