Some argue that Nestorius was condemned before he even arrived in
Ephesus. Nevertheless, when called upon three times to defend his
teachings he refused each occasion to appear. Defending the decrees of the
Council of Ephesus even in the face of imperial opposition and
imprisonment became thereafter St. Cyril’s life work. John of Antioch and
his supporters were reconciled in 433, while Nestorius died miserable and
impenitent in his place of exile in the deserts of Upper Egypt around 450.
His heresy never gained a very large following, but survived in Iraq and
Persia and from there spread as far east as India, China and Java.
In reaction to Nestorianism another heresy arose, that of Monophysitism.
Eutyches of Constantinople, in his zeal to oppose Nestorius and assert the
unity of Christ’s Person, taught that Christ had only one nature
(monophysis), a Divine nature, and that his human nature was completely
subsumed in it as a drop of water in wine. This teaching gained acceptance
from many in Alexandria, who in support of their position quoted the now
deceased St. Cyril of Alexandria (hence their designation as “the
Cyrillians” in this dispute).
Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, acted quickly to root out this heresy
by deposing and excommunicating Eutyches. However, Eutyches remained
obstinate, and was confirmed in his position by Dioscorus, Patriarch of
Alexandria. Dioscorus convinced the Emperor Theodosius II to convene a
general council, with him as head, to be held in Ephesus and set down for
August 8, 449. Dioscorus was intent on manipulating the council
proceedings in his favor and so refused to recognize Pope Leo the Great’s
representatives, Julius and Hilary, alleging bias for having dined recently
with Flavian. The Papal Legates had with them a document prepared by
Pope Leo (and later known as the Tome of Leo) declaring that Christ was
one divine Person possessing two complete and perfect natures, divine and
human. When a statement to this effect was read out to the 130 council
Fathers, Dioscorus led the Monophysite party to shout it down. He then
declared Monophysitism approved by the council, acquitted and reinstated
Eutyches, and deposed Flavian and his supporters. A riot ensued in which
Hilary and Flavian were beaten, Flavian dying of his injuries during his
return to Constantinople. Hilary managed to escape and made his way back
to Rome, reporting what had happened during the council. Pope Leo
condemned the council as latrodinium, and so it entered into history as the
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