Chalcedonian Definition is the dogmatic confession issued at Chalcedon in 451 that Jesus Christ is one and the same person in two complete natures, divine and human.
One and the same Son
The definition receives Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, Cyril of Alexandria, and Leo the Great's Tome. It confesses the one Lord Jesus Christ as perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity, consubstantial with the Father according to divinity and with us according to humanity, like us in all things except sin.
The two natures are united without confusion, change, division, or separation. Their distinction is not abolished by the union, yet they do not constitute two persons: the subject of both divine and human acts is the one eternal Son.
Dogma and historical reception
Catholic teaching receives the Christological definition as dogmatic. That status does not attach equally to Chalcedon's procedural disputes, depositions, or disciplinary canons.[1]
Catholics and Eastern Orthodox share the definition; Oriental Orthodox churches historically rejected Chalcedon's formula and reception. Modern common declarations have established substantial shared Christological faith while continuing dialogue about terminology, councils, and ecclesial communion.[2]
References
- 1.Catechism: True God and True Man — Paragraphs 464–469 receive the dogmatic teaching of Ephesus and Chalcedon
- 2.Council of Chalcedon — Definition of faith and conciliar texts in the Tanner translation