Lyons

Lyons a city of France, situated on the Rhone, 316 miles by railway south-south- east of Paris, is noted in ecclesiastical history for two oecumenical councils which were held there:

I. In 1245, consisting of 140 bishops, and convened for the purpose of promoting the Crusades, restoring ecclesiastical discipline, and dethroning Frederick II, emperor of Germany. It was also decreed at this council that cardinals should wear red hats.

II. In 1274. There were 500 bishops and about 1000 inferior clergy present. Its principal object was the reunion of the Greek and Latin churches. — Hook, Dictionary; Smith, Tables of Church History; Landon, Manual of Councils, s.v.