Sacramentality and the Council of Chalcedon

            Sacrament is an English word, derived from the Latin sacramentum. In the ancient Rome days the term originally meant, the allegiance oath of a soldier. By this oath, the soldier marked the start of new life so also one is initiated into Christianity through the sacraments. In Christianity, sacraments are taken as tangible signs of God's grace. Christ instituted them and had entrusted the Church with sacraments. It is an outward visible sign as seen in rites. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches recognize seven sacraments – "Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders." In the 16th century Council of Trent these were codified. Most of the Protestant Churches refer to two sacraments – Eucharist and Baptism. Catholics believe that for salvation sacraments are a must, although all the sacraments are not necessary for each individual. Broadly speaking sacramentality is akin to finding spirituality in the visible and tangible, and this is evident in the proceedings of Council of Chalcedon where the essence of sacramentality visible as one of the three principals of Catholic faith.   .
             A council of the church was held from 8th October till 1st November 141 AD at the Asian Minor city of Chalcedon in modern Istanbul. This is known as Council of Chalcedon. The definitions and judgments issued by the members of the council were important in that it was a watershed in Christian theological doctrines. It led to the setting up of the Roman Church in the West in the 5th century. The Anglicans and the majority of the Protestants think it was the final ecumenical council. The latter churches contend that later councils were not supported by the scriptures. The Council of Chalcedon was the 4th Ecumenical Council by the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Eastern Church and other Christian groups. Thus its decrees are accepted as infallible – the definitions being dogmatic.