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The Chalcedonian Formula
Definition of the Union of the
Divine
and Human Natures
in the Person of Christ
Council of Chalcedon, 451 A.D., Act V
Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to
acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in
Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a
reasonable soul and body; of one substance (homoousios) with the Father as
regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards
his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead,
begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten,
for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer (Theotokos);
one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures,
without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the
distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the
characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one
person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and
the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the
prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself
taught us, and the creed of the Fathers has handed down to us.
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