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SEMI-ARIANISM

The teaching of certain theologians who, after the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), sought a compromise between Arianism and the doctrine of Christ's consubstantiality with the Father. They were led by Basil, Bishop of Ancyra, and their sympathies were toward Orthodoxy, although they substituted homoiousios (similar to) the Father. St. Athanasius treated them kindly and their influence was felt in the reaffirmation of the Nicene Creed at the ecumenical Council of Constantinople in the year 381.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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