Page "Council of Florence" Paragraph 22

In early April 1438, the Greek contingent arrived at Ferrara over 700 strong.

On 9 April 1438 the first solemn session at Ferrara began with the Eastern Roman Emperor, the Patriarch of Constantinople and representatives of the Patriarchal Sees of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem in attendance and Pope Eugene IV presiding.

The early sessions lasted until 17 July 1438 with each theological issue of the Great Schism ( 1054 ) hotly debated, including the Processions of the Holy Spirit, Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed, Purgatory and Papal Primacy.

Resuming proceedings on 8 October 1438, the council focused exclusively on the Filioque matter.

Even as it became clear the Greek Church would never consent to the Filioque clause, the Emperor continued to press for a reconciliation.