Concerning the Validity of the False Council of Chalcedon

Introduction

Chalcedon, although not originally intended to be a counter Synod, ended up focusing on Dioscorus and Ephesus II with the insistence of Papal legates. It aimed to "correct" the "mistakes" made at Ephesus II, overseen by Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria.

A Counter Synod is NOT valid, we know this because there are counter Synods similar to that of Chalcedon which aimed to "correct mistakes" made.

Arian Counter Synods

The Arian Synod of Tyre was invalid for a multitude of reasons.

First, those who were deposed at the previous council (Nicaea) were put back in communion at their Synod, as we read in the following:

"The Arians who were excommunicated for their Impiety by Alexander....who were proscribed by the whole world, and branded in every Church, are said now to have been admitted to communion again; which I think you ought to hear with indignation. Who then are the parties who dishonour Councils? Are not they who have set at nought the votes of the Three hundred.."

[Council of Rome; St. Pope Julius, Letter to Antiochenes, Par. 6]

We see this same action mirror in Chalcedon when Theodoret (among others) were put back in communion despite Ephesus II having excommunicated them for their impiety. Not only that, but Theodoret was put back into communion ILLEGALLY!

Second, Athanasius was deposed despite not being present for the sessions which mainly focused on his deposition, this was an invalid deposition due to this, as we read in the following:

"We have received the testimony in favour of Marcellus, that he resisted the advocates of the Arian doctrines in the Council of Nicaea: and in favour of Athanasius, that at Tyre nothing was brought home to him, and that in the Mareotis, where the Reports against him are said to have been drawn up, he was not present. Now you know, dearly beloved, that ex parte proceedings are of no weight, but bear a suspicious appearance."

[Council of Rome; St. Pope Julius, Letter to Antiochenes, Par. 7]

We see the same mirror at Chalcedon, considering how Dioscorus had gotten sick and was unable to attend, when the reports and excommunication was drawn up, he was not present. Therefore, the proceedings are of no weight due to being in the favor of Leo alone, and not both parties.

Nestorian Counter Synods

The Nestorian Counter Synod of Antioch, presided over by John of Antioch, aimed to anathematise all those assembled with St. Cyril of Alexandria and disobeyed the Council of Ephesus, one that had already being going on before their Synod.

In the following we read about the Synodical letter of Ephesus, they speak on how their Synod is invalid for a multitude of reasons, one of the main being, they put those who were excommunicated back into communion.

"These men, despite the fact they were members of the ecclesiastical community, had no license either to do harm through their priestly dignity or to do good, because some among their number had already been deposed.. By a common decree the sacred Synod has expelled them from ecclesiastical communion and deprived them of the exercise of their priestly office, through which they have been able to harm some and help others."

[Synodical Letter of Ephesus; about the Explusion of Eastern Bishops, Par. 2]

We see similar actions portrayed in the Council of Chalcedon when Theodoret and Flavian is reinstalled (among others) despite previous condemnation. Those among the number of dyophysites were deposed and they, the Chalcedonians, had no license to do good or harm due to this.

And on depositions of their Synod:

"If any clerics either in city or country have been suspended by Nestorius and those with him from their priesthood because of their orthodoxy, we have thought it right that these should regain their proper rank; and in general we decree that those clerics who are in agreement with the Orthodox and Ecumenical Synod should in no way be subject to those bishops who have or may revolt from it."

[Synodical Letter of Ephesus; about the Expulsion of Eastern Bishops, Par. 5]

So we know that anyone who stays true to the vote of the Synod, and not those who revolt from it, are Orthodox and if deposed by those who revolt, they should be reinstalled since they cant be deposed for their Orthodoxy. We see this mirror in Chalcedon when the bishops who stayed true to Ephesus II be deposed.

We can not consider Chalcedon as valid, but rather, we should consider those who stayed true to Ephesus I and II Orthodox.

Amen.