Authenticity and Church History Dimensions of the Canons of the Council of Serdica (343)

Abstract

Historical research often undervalues the city of Serdica as a Christian center and frequently overlooks its significance in Church history and memory. Today’s Bulgarian capital, Sofia, which inherits and nurtures an ancient Christian tradition, was indeed a significant diocese during the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Council of Serdica was also held in Sofia. Although it is not recognized as Ecumenical by the Church, its purpose and manner of convening fully met the characteristics of an ecumenical council. Twenty ecclesiastical canons or rules were established, which became the foundation of Church law and were later incorporated into the fundamental provisions of Roman law.