The Council of Alexandria (362) and the Reconciliation of Nicenes and Homoiousians

Having returned from exile under Julian, Athanasius took a decisive step toward reconciliation at the Council of Alexandria. The council recognized that verbal differences did not matter as long as the meaning was the same. Both the formula "one hypostasis" and "three hypostases" were acceptable, without falling into Sabellianism or tritheism. This separated the meanings of ousia and hypostasis, which became the foundation of eastern theology.

The council also affirmed the existence in Christ of a full human soul, in response to the forerunners of Apollinaris's teaching. It condemned the Pneumatomachians, who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

At the same time, a separate schism continued in Antioch. The episcopal see was held simultaneously by Meletius, recognized by "the whole East," and Paulinus. Paulinus had been consecrated by Lucifer of Cagliari and was supported by Athanasius, Rome, and Alexandria. The schism lasted until 388.