Synoda v Hierei (754): genéza, priebeh a osud „siedmeho koncilu“ v byzantskej tradícii
The Synod of Hiereia (754): Genesis, Course and Fate of the “Seventh Council” in the Byzantine Tradition

Summary/Abstract: This study offers a historical and theological analysis of the Synod of Hiereia (754), a key event in the first phase of Byzantine iconoclasm. Convened by Emperor Constantine V, the Synod proclaimed itself “holy and great” and issued the horos, a doctrinal decree condemning the veneration of icons on the basis of divine transcendence. The article examines the genesis, proceedings, and reception of this assembly within the Byzantine tradition. Drawing upon primary sources (PG, ACO, Mansi) and recent scholarship (Brubaker, Haldon, Carile, Hovorun, Zozulak), the author argues that Hiereia was not merely an imperial tool but a genuine theological experiment seeking to redefine faith through apophatic logic. The horos articulated a vision of the Incarnation that favours spiritual contemplation over visual representation. The conclusion emphasizes that Hiereia must be read as a witness to the ongoing dialectic between word and image, spirit and body, revelation and transcendence—tensions that continue to shape Christian thought to this day. Extension: This study further highlights the methodological importance of Hiereia for understanding Byzantine political theology and the hermeneutics of power. In a comparative perspective, it reconsiders the relationship between word and image in Christian theology, interpreting Hiereia as a “laboratory of apophatic rationality.” The results contribute to a renewed appreciation of iconoclasm as a creative and reflective moment in the development of Byzantine spirituality.

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