The Forgotten 8th Ecumenical Council of Constantinople

About this sermon

The 8th Ecumenical Council (879–880) is often overlooked, yet it remains one of the most important moments in Church history. In this video, we explore why Orthodox tradition recognizes it as truly ecumenical, its defense of unity, its stance on the Primacy of Rome, and its condemnation of the Filioque. Learn how this Council affirmed the faith of the Fathers and continues to shape Orthodoxy today. This is the introduction given by Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus to the attendees of the conference “On the Eighth Œcumenical Council: The Catholic Condemnation of the Filioque” by Uncut Mountain Press and the first of several lectures given over the course of three days on this important subject. Metropolitan Seraphim (Mentzelopoulos) of Piraeus, was born in Athens in the year 1956. He studied Law and Theology and obtained a license to practice law. He became a monk at the Holy Monastery of Penteli and was ordained a Deacon and Presbyter by the late Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Seraphim, in the year 1980. He served as the Clergy Supervisor of the Holy Churches of Agia Triada Ampelokipoi, Agia Sophia Nea Psychiko, Agia Zoni Kypseli, the Cathedral Church of Athens, and Zoodochos Pigi Academy. In 1983, the late Archbishop of Athens and All Greece assigned him the duties of the judicial officer of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens. In 1985, following a proposal, he was appointed by the Holy Synod as the Secretary of the Synodal Courts of the Church of Greece, a position he served in until December 2000. During his 15 years of service as the Secretary of the Synodal Courts, he also carried out duties as an Ecclesiastical Inquisitor in several Metropolises of the Church of Greece. In December 2000, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, and the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him as the Bishop of Christoupolis, assistant to Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. He served in the Holy Archdiocese of Australia as Assistant Bishop in Northern and Southern Australia, based in Darwin and Adelaide, until April 2002. Returning to his homeland, he was received by the Reverend Metropolitan of the former Piraeus, Kallinikos, as a preacher and General Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Piraeus, positions he held until February 2005 when, following a proposal by the Most Blessed Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Christodoulos, the Holy Synod of the Church entrusted him with the duties of the Chief Secretary. He speaks English, French, and Italian. He was elected Metropolitan of Piraeus on February 28, 2006. Our mission is to present and support the Orthodox Christian Way, Truth, and Life, which is Christ Himself — guiding souls to communion in His Body, faithful to the teachings of the Holy Fathers. 👉 Become a YouTube Member for exclusive livestreams and videos, Q&A’s, book discounts, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChozbOPP6uOJ2UkiTZy-sgQ/join 🎥 New to Orthodoxy? Start here with our "Orthodoxy 101" playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCFiE3qfVkDisaFlaa38cO_iTvnpsUnhc 📚 Explore our full collection of Orthodox Christian books: https://www.uncutmountainpress.com 📝 Read our blog for weekly insights on Orthodox faith and tradition: https://www.orthodoxethos.com/blog ✉️ Questions? Contact us at: team@orthodoxethos.com #8thEcumenicalCouncil #OrthodoxChristianity #Orthodoxy #ChurchHistory #EcumenicalCouncils