"Thaleia"
- Artist/Author/Producer: Arius (c. A.D. 256-336)
- Confronting Bodies: Council of Nicea
- Dates of action: 321 - 325 A.D
- Location: Europe
- Description of the Art Work
- "Thaleia": This poetic verse publicized the thesis which was a new
approach to the New Testament. In it Christ was viewed as the most
perfect creature in the material world, whose moral integrity led him to
be adopted by God as a son but who nevertheless remained a secondary
deity or logos substantially unlike the eternal, uncreated Father and
subordinate to his will. The thesis was widely spread by tactic of
popular songs written for labourers and travelers.
- Description of incident
- A.D.321 : Arius, presbyter of Alexandria, was excommunicated in 321 for
heretical teachings about the nature of Christ.
A.D. 325 : the Council of Nicea condemned his "Thaleia", the collection
of popular verses expressing his ideas.
- Results of incident
- A.D.325 : the Council of Nicea exiled him. This was the first writing
banned by the Catholic Church.
Source: Banned Books 387 B.C. to 1978 A.D., by Anne Lyon Haight, and Chandler B.
Grannis, R.R. Bowker Co, 1978.
