Homoousian
|ho-mo-ou-si-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌhoʊmoʊˈuːziən/
🇬🇧
/ˌhəʊməʊˈuːziən/
same substance
Etymology
'Homoousian' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'homoousios', where 'homō-' meant 'same' and 'ousia' meant 'being' or 'substance'.
'Homoousian' changed from Greek 'homoousios' into Late Latin 'homoousius' and theological Latin forms such as 'homoousianus', and eventually entered English as 'Homoousian'.
Initially it meant 'of the same substance' in Greek theological usage; over time it retained that specialized theological meaning in English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who holds or advocates the doctrine that the Son is of the same substance as the Father; a supporter of homoousian doctrine.
At the Council of Nicaea many bishops who were Homoousians argued strongly against Arian teachings.
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Adjective 1
of the same substance or essence; used especially in Christian theology to describe the Son as of the same substance as the Father (consubstantial).
The council endorsed the Homoousian position: the Son is of the same substance as the Father.
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Last updated: 2025/09/26 07:59