The Sixth Session

Leo, the most renowned secretary, said: “The holy and blessed synod knows how at the last session we examined various sayings of the God-forsaken heretics, who had brought charges against the holy and spotless church of the Christians over the setting up of the holy images. But today we have in our hands the written blasphemy of those slanderers of the Christians: the absurd, easily answered, and self-condemning definition of the mock council, which agrees in every respect with the ungodly opinion of the God-hated heretics. “And we have not only this, but also its skillful and most forceful refutation, which the Holy Spirit oversaw. For it was right that this definition should be led off in triumph by wise rebuttals and torn to pieces by strong refutations. This too we lay before you, so as to learn your pleasure about it.” [a] The holy synod said: “Let it be read.” John, deacon and chancellor of the most holy Great Church of Constantinople, read. [b] John the deacon then read the orthodox refutation, and Gregory, the bishop of Neocaesarea, the definition of the mock council: Gregory read out the heretical statement, and John the orthodox answer. [c]