THE INFLUENCE OF THE DECISIONS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL ON THE FORMATION OF THE LITURGICAL TRADITION OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the liturgical resolutions of the First Ecumenical Council (325), which determined the further development of the liturgical tradition in three main aspects: the unification of the Paschal cycle as a fundamental move towards the establishment of the annual liturgical cycle; the ordering of liturgical discipline by canons 18 and 20 (and related pastoral prescriptions); the indirect influence of administrative and canonical norms (canons 4–7) on the development of local liturgical traditions.

The focus is on the unification of Easter celebrations. It is noted that until the 4^th century, there were different models for calculating Easter in the Christian world: the Asia Minor tradition was based on 14 Nisan, while other Churches celebrated on the nearest Sunday. This resulted in discrepancies in the annual liturgical rhythm and negatively affected the unity of the Church. The Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter should be celebrated on Sunday, after the Jewish Passover and after the spring equinox.

The recognition of the Church of Alexandria as an authority in Easter calculations is presented as a significant step that ensured church unity and the establishment of a calendar cycle of rotating holidays. It is demonstrated that the Council not only resolved the dispute but also created conditions for the further development of the Christian liturgical year. The article also analyses other canons that affected liturgical practice. In particular, the 18th canon regulates hierarchical relations in the Eucharist, defining the place of the deacon in the church order.

The 20th canon is considered through the light of symbolism – prayer without kneeling on Sundays and during Pentecost is interpreted as a liturgical expression of the joy of the Resurrection. At the same time, the 13th and other canons show the development of pastoral practice: communion for the severely ill, even under punishment, indicates the priority of mercy over discipline.

On the basis of sources from the Nicene era and contemporary historical and liturgical literature, it is demonstrated that the conciliar decision on the Easter issue established the unity of the time of celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, became the structural core of movable feasts and fasts, while canonical norms regarding the role of the deacon and Sunday prayer posture unified the external signs of common prayer. The mechanism of combining unity and diversity is revealed: within the agreed principles, local Churches developed their own anaphora and rites, while maintaining universal unity.