May 5, 533 - Fifth Ecumenical Council Convenes

The Fifth Ecumenical Council convened on May 5, 553. The main purpose of this council was doctrinal clarification. The council strengthened the Orthodox position against both Nestorianism (the belief that the divine Christ and human Christ were different entities) and Monophysitism (the belief that Christ was not fully human). Roman Emperor Justinian hoped that condemning the Three Chapters would help reconcile Monophysite Christians, but the division persisted. The council also highlighted the growing role of Byzantine emperors in theological disputes, as Justinian actively influenced its decisions.