jun 22, 431 - Council of Ephesus

Description:

Date and Location:

-Convened in 431 AD.
-Held in Ephesus (modern-day Selçuk, Turkey).

Purpose:

-Address the Nestorian controversy regarding the nature of Christ and the title of Mary.
-Resolve doctrinal disputes to maintain unity within the Church.

Attendees:

-Approximately 200 bishops, primarily from the Eastern Roman Empire.
-Convened by Emperor Theodosius II and co-presided by Cyril of Alexandria and Candidian, representing the emperor.

Key Outcomes:

Condemnation of Nestorianism:

-Declared Nestorius’ teachings heretical.
-Affirmed that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human.
-Proclaimed that Mary is Theotokos (God-bearer or Mother of God), countering Nestorius’ claim that she should be called Christotokos (Christ-bearer).

Christological Doctrine:

-Emphasized the unity of Christ's divine and human natures in one person.
_Rejected any doctrine that divided Christ into two separate persons.

Excommunication of Nestorius:

-Officially deposed and excommunicated Nestorius from his position as Patriarch of Constantinople.

Letters and Anathemas of Cyril:

-Approved the twelve anathemas proposed by Cyril of Alexandria against Nestorianism.
-Endorsed Cyril’s letters to Nestorius, which articulated the orthodox position on Christology.

Schism and Reconciliation:

-Initial split between supporters of Cyril and those of Nestorius, leading to temporary schisms.
-Partial reconciliation achieved in 433 AD with the Formula of Union, though some divisions persisted.

Significance:

-Reinforced the doctrine of the hypostatic union, the belief that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures.
-Strengthened the role of Mary as Theotokos, an important title in Christian theology and devotion.

Legacy:

-The decisions of the Council of Ephesus were later confirmed by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD.
-Contributed to the shaping of orthodox Christology and Mariology.
-Led to the formation of the Nestorian Church, which separated from mainstream Christianity and spread to Persia and beyond.

Notable Figures:

Cyril of Alexandria:

-Leading figure in the council and opponent of Nestorianism.
-Played a crucial role in articulating and defending the orthodox position.

Nestorius:

-Patriarch of Constantinople whose teachings sparked the controversy.
-Emphasized the distinction between Christ’s human and divine natures.

Emperor Theodosius II:

-Convened the council and sought to maintain unity within the empire and the Church.

John of Antioch:

-Initially opposed Cyril and supported Nestorius but later reached a compromise with Cyril through the Formula of Union.

Juvenal of Jerusalem:

-Supported Cyril’s position and played a significant role in the proceedings.

The Council of Ephesus was pivotal in defining the nature of Christ and affirming the title of Mary as Theotokos, shaping the trajectory of Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical authority.

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