St. Ap. Philip, one of the 7 deacons; St. Jer. Theophanes the Confessor, bishop of Nicaea; Holy Martyrs Zinaida and Filonila; Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Synodtranslated

Orthodox calendar, October 11 Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Synod The 7th ecumenical synod met in Nicaea (province of Bithynia, Asia Minor) between September 24 and October 13, 787, at the initiative of the empress regent Irina.

Also known as the Second Council of Nicaea, this ecumenical council gathered 350 Orthodox bishops and was presided over by St. Tarasius the Confessor (celebrated on February 25), Patriarch of Constantinople at the time.

The synod condemned iconoclasm as heresy and restored the cult of holy icons. It was the last of the seven ecumenical synods.

The controversy over the veneration of icons had deeper implications: concerning the character of Christ's human nature, the attitude of Christians towards matter, and the meaning of salvation in relation to the material universe.

The Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council are commemorated on October 11, if it is a Sunday, or on the Sunday following this date.

All those who fought for the restoration of the veneration of icons are also commemorated on the first Sunday of Great Lent, called Orthodoxy Sunday.

Troparion, voice 8 ( audio )

Glorified are you,…