1. The Seven Ecumenical Councils
Lesson 7: The First Council of Ephesus

2. Background to the Council: Nestorius vs. Cyril over Christology

3. Background to the Council
Theotokos – Title for the Blessed Virgin Mary
Means “God-Bearer” or “Mother of God”
A statement about Christ’s divinity, not Marian veneration
Common in the early 5th Century in Constantinople

4. Nestorius Nestorius of Constantinople Born in Antioch late 4th Century
Schooled in Antiochene doctrine, esp. Theodore of Mopsuestia
Bishop of Constantinople (Pope of the East) in 428 by Emperor Theodosius II

5. Nestorius
Christmas Morning of 428 Preached against the title “Theotokos”
Wrong to call a baby “God”
Confused Christ’s human and divine natures
Divine nature cannot be born or die

6. Nestorius
Christmas Morning of 428 Preached against the title “Theotokos”
Wrong to call a baby “God”
Confused Christ’s human and divine natures
Divine nature cannot be born or die

7. Nestorius
Considered title to be crypto-Apollinarianism (i.e. not fully human)
Recommended the title Christotokos, “Christ-Bearer,” instead
Not denying Christ’s divinity or the Virgin birth
Rather denying “creaturely” attributes to the Logos

8. Nestorius Applying typical Antiochene Doctrine
Two natures, two persons
In an Easter letter in 429 made the title Theotokos heresy in his patriarchy

9. Cyril Cyril of Alexandria Bishop of Alexandria in 412
Sent spies to Constantinople to catch Antiochenes in heresy
Later sent agents to put up billboards in Constantinople comparing Nestorius’ statements to those of past teachers of Adoptionism

10. Cyril Developed the idea of the ”Hypostatic Union”
Two natures (human and divine) in one hypostasis, or “personal subject,” of the Logos.
Son of God takes on a human nature and existence while remaining truly divine.

11. Cyril Mary gave birth to God in flesh – Essence of Incarnation
One person with two natures, two “modes of being”
Cyril, however, preferred to speak of one unified nature

12. Background to the Council
Cyril and Nestorius wrote many letters to each other, circulated through the Church
Eventually Cyril appealed to Celestine, Bishop of Rome to weigh in

13. Background to the Council
Celestine investigated, and concluded Nestorius was a heretic who should be deposed.
Cyril used Celestine’s letter to urge the Emperor to call a Council
Theodosius II reluctantly agreed, set for 431 in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey)

14. Rival Councils – Ephesus 431

15. Rival Councils - Alexandrians
Cyril and his Bishops arrive, wait a few days
When no one else showed up, they convened the council
- Affirmed the Creed
- Read some of the letters from and to Nestorius
- Condemned Nestorius and his teachings as heresy

16. Rival Councils - Alexandrians
Wrote a declaration, but no new Creed:
“One and the same is the eternal Son of the Father and the Son of the Virgin Mary, born in time after the flesh; therefore she may rightly be called Mother of God.”

17. Rival Councils - Antiochenes
John, Patriarch of Antioch, and his bishops arrive after Cyril’s had made conclusions
Set up a rival Council in Ephesus
Condemn Cyril, affirm Nestorius

18. Rival Councils –Westerns
While they were meeting, the Western bishops and delegates arrive
Join Cyril’s council
Ratified the conclusions of Cyril’s council
Condemned Nestorius

19. Rival Councils –Westerns
The Emperor had to sort it out
Note: Emperor was absent, worked through a proxy
Affirmed the condemnation of Nestorius
Condition: Cyril was to affirm a distinction in Christ’s two natures, but not division

20. Rival Councils –Westerns
Formula of Reunion, 433 – Document by the Emperor, ratified by Cyril and John
Both Alexandria and Antioch got what they wanted
Alexandria: deposition and exile of Nestorius
Antioch: affirmation of two natures

21. Rival Councils –Westerns
Apollinarianism and Nestorianism were both condemned
Orthodox cannot deny the humanity of Christ’s soul, nor divide the two natures into two persons
Human mind, divine mind, not two persons

22. Canons of Ephesus I

23. Canons of Ephesus I
Canons 1-5 – Condemned Nestorianism and Pelagianism (via Caelestius) and their followers as heretics.
Canon 6 – Decreed deposition any bishop, priest, or deacon who do not accept the Council’s decrees
Canon 7 – Affirmed the Nicene Creed, and condemned a popular interpretation written by a priest named Charisius
Canon 8 – Condemned inter-Provincial meddling or poaching