Arianism
/ˈɛəriənɪzəm/noun
A Christian theological doctrine associated with Arius that denied the full eternal divinity of Jesus Christ.
Did you know?The controversy became so explosive that the Roman emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, where Arian views were officially condemned, though they continued influencing emperors and kingdoms for centuries.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἄρειος (Areios)
“Of or belonging to Ares; this adjective became the source of the personal name Arius.”
Late 3rd–Early 4th Century
Greek
Ἄρειος (Arios)
“Arius, the Alexandrian presbyter whose teachings argued that the Son was created and therefore not co-eternal with the Father.”
325 CE
Greek
Ἀρειανός (Areianos)
“A supporter of Arius or of the theological position associated with him; the Council of Nicaea rejected this doctrine.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Arianus
“Pertaining to Arius or to his theological followers.”
16th Century
English
Arianism
“The name in English for the doctrine associated with Arius, especially the denial of Christ’s co-eternal and fully divine status.”
Modern English
English
Arianism
“A historical Christian theological movement, distinct from the unrelated racial term “Aryan.””