Özet:

Early Christianity covers almost six centuries. During this period, Church fathers tried to shape the main aspects of Christianity and attempted to build general rules of Christianity which would be easily followed by everyone. There were many councils during this period in which the role of Jesus in Christianity and Christological issues were discussed and appropriate principles to reflect Christianity formed. One of these councils gathered in Seleucia ad Calycadnum in 359 A.D. This council became a milestone in the history of Early Christianity in Seleucia.The Council of Seleucia and its developments and decrees were not only important from the perspective of Church history but also for the significant evidence regarding the religious, social and cultural history of Anatolia. For this reason general aspects of the Council of Seleucia and archaeological findings related to Christianity in Seleucia should be carefully studied.A study like this should address questions like: what is the importance of Seleucia regarding historical aspects of Christianity? Why is Saint Thecla important for this city? What is the attitude of Emperors towards Arianism? Until 359, Seleucia participated in many councils. Who was represented Seleucia in these councils and what were their views? What were the main issues of the council in 359? What is the importance of Council of Seleucia on Arianism and Roman Empire? What is the importance of the Council of Seleucia with respect to its conclusion?This study has three parts. The first part deals with Christological discussions until 359 and their role in the Roman Empire. There is also extensive information on the importance of Seleucia in the Christian world. Also, we shall explore why Seleucia was selected as a location for the council. Furthermore, we shall discuss the role of Saint Thecla who helped to shape and spread Christianity for the region.The second part deals with the Council of Ariminum and the reasons for arranging the council in Ariminum. First, we shall discuss the doctrines of Bishop Arius who put forward discussion regarding Jesus’ nature (son of God or human being). These Christological doctrines were the cause of the first universal Council in Nicaea. We shall also discuss the impact of Arianism, which was shaped by doctrines of Arianus, on Christianity and Roman Empire. In addition, we shall explore the participation of bishops of Seleucia in councils on Arianism and their roles in these councils.The third part deals with the Council of Seleucia. In this section we shall explore councils of Seleucia and Ariminum in which bishops from East and West were focused on same issue and prepared many doctrines. Based on Latin and Greek sources, we shall discuss these two councils and especially deal with why council was held in Seleucia, tense moments during the sessions, decree at the end of the council and social and religious impact of this decree.In conclusion, we shall evaluate the topic as well as findings related to the issue. As a core resource of this study, we shall use Latin and Greek publications on Church history. In particular quotes from Patrologia Latina are used as a primitive source in Christian studies. Additional sources include the works of church historians; Theodoretus, Athanasius, Sozomenus, Socrates Scholasticus on Council of Seleucia and Arianism. The Latin version of personal and geographic names will be used unless otherwise specified

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