Ousios is the Greek word for substance [1]. Initially it was a technical term used by Gnostics. In philosophy, essence is the attribute (or set of attributes) that make an object or substance what it fundamentally is. ... Gnosticism is a blanket term for various religions and sects most prominent in the first few centuries A.D. General characteristics The word gnosticism comes from the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis (γνῶσις), referring to the idea that there is special, hidden mysticism (esoteric knowledge) that only a few possess. ...

Origen, (c. 182 – c. 251) used it when he said God is one genus of Ousios yet three distinct species of Hypostasis: namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Origen was a Christian scholar and theologian and one of the most distinguished of the Fathers of the early Christian Church. ... A hypostasis, from the Greek word ὑπόστασις meaning foundation, base or that which stands behind is a term in linguistics to describe the relationship between a name and a known quantity, as a cultural personification (i. ...

The Council of Antioch in 264-268 condemned the term Homo-Ousios (same substance) because of its Gnostic roots. The Gnostics said Jesus and God were Homoousios (of same substance). The Catholic Encyclopedia article on Paul of Samosata [2] states: The Catholic Encyclopedia is an English-language encyclopedia published in 1913 by the The writing of the encyclopedia began on January 11, 1905 under the supervision of five editors: Charles G. Herbermann, Professor of Latin and Librarian of the College of the City of New York Edward A. Pace, then... Paul of Samosata, patriarch of Antioch (260-269), Life Paul was born at Samosata into a family of humble origin. ...

It must be regarded as certain that the council which condemned Paul rejected the term homoousios; but naturally only in a false sense used by Paul; not, it seems because he meant by it an unity of Hypostasis in the Trinity (so St. Hilary), but because he intended by it a common substance out of which both Father and Son proceeded, or which it divided between them, — so St. Basil and St. Athanasius; but the question is not clear. The objectors to the Nicene doctrine in the fourth century made copious use of this disapproval of the Nicene word by a famous council.

Constantine's Council of Nicaea in 325 disputed the terms Homoousios and Homoiousios (similar substance) but the Homoiousians were exiled from the Empire. Constantine has many usages: People called Constantine Rulers called Constantine Constantine I (emperor), commonly known as Constantine the Great Constantine II (emperor) Constantine III (usurper) Constantine III (emperor) Constantine IV Constantine V Constantine VI Constantine VII Constantine VIII Constantine IX Constantine X Constantine XI Constantine I of Armenia Constantine II... Council of Nicaea can refer to: First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 Second Council of Nicaea in AD 787 This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

The original Nicene Creed was decreed by Emperor Marcian's Council of Chalcedon in 451. It stated God is one Ousia yet three Hypostases. The Nicene Creed, or the Icon/Symbol of the Faith, is a Christian statement of faith accepted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and most Protestant churches. ... Imperator Caesar Flavius Marcianus Augustus or Marcian (c. ... The Council of Chalcedon was an ecumenical council that took place from October 8—November 1, 451 at Chalcedon, a city of Bithynia in Asia Minor. ...

External Links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Homoousion