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A seminar on the history of Slavic politics, international relations, culture, and religion during the 6th through the 19th century.

The author points out that "the Holy Father, in convoking the Second Vatican Council, is reviving an ancient tradition originating from the early days of the Church. This tradition was fully developed by the Eastern Church during the first seven ecumenical Councils. In these councils, the Eastern Father, united with Rome, defined the fundamental dogmas on the Holy Trinity and on our Saviour, doctrines which are common to all Christians. These councils form the bond which ties Eastern Christianity to that of the West and it is for this reason that I have drawn attention to their history." Each of the ecumenical councils down to the Council of Trent is confered in terms of its historical context and religious significance.

Specially commissioned for this series shortly after the announcement by Pope John XXIII of a forthcoming General Council of the Church, Father Dvornik's history of previous councils is a lucid and authoritative guide covering the period from the assemblies of the Apostles to the Vatican Council of 1870. Father Dvornik examines in detail the first seven Ecumenical Councils at which the Eastern Fathers, united with Rome, defined the fundamental dogmas on the Holy Trinity and on our Lord, doctrines which are common to all Christians and which still link Eastern Christianity to that of the West. He shows how these and others councils not only defined dogma but also engaged in a constant struggle against heresy and, during the Middle Ages, against the encroachments of the secular powers. The conciliar theory that councils were superior in authority to the Pope is also examined against the background of the Western and Eastern schisms and, subsequently, the Reformation whose challenge was answered by the Council of Trent. A final chapter is devoted to the last general council, the Vatican Council, and the relationship of its definition of papal infallibility to the conciliar principle.

With the help of the reader, two detectives search for the letters of the alphabet.