Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ACACIANS

Heretical sect named after Acacius of Caesarea (d. 366), who refused to accept the Nicene term homoousios (one in being with) the Father in reference to Christ. They claimed that Christ was merely homoios (like) the Father. Also called Semi-Arians and Homoeans. According to St. Jerome the leader of the Acacians was nominated Felix, the antipope, in 358. In the next century another Acacius, who was Patriarch of Constantinople (471-89), provoked the Acacian Schism with Rome by his compromise with the monophysites.