Catholic:Under The Hood

At the Second Council of Ephesus, Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria and his One Nature Christology emerges triumphant. The Two-Nature Christology of the Antiochenes is condemned and Pope Leo I of Rome finds himself powerless to stop it. Links: Image of the martyrdom of Flavian of Constantinople from the “Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints” by […]

Pope Leo I of Rome assembles a text presenting the Christology of the West in the hopes of putting an end to the controversy once and for all. However, in the East, Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria has his own plans. Links: Photo of Statue of Pope Leo I taken by Mattana Selections from Tertullian on […]

In Constantinople, the Christological Controversy erupts once again as sides are formed over the case of Eutyches. Each seeking to gain the support of Emperor Theodosius and Pope Leo against their rivals. Links: Image of Flavian of Constantinople taken by Siriopomante Letter of Eutyches to Leo about the Synod of Constantinople Leo’s letter to Flavian […]

Pope Leo has problems with Illyricum. In the East, the sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch find themselves under new management – but the conflict over the theology of Christ continues. Links: Icon of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria. Letter of Leo to Anastasius Letter of Leo to Eutyches Theodoret of Cyrus’ Eranistes Alleged letter of […]

Pope Leo finds that the collapse of the Western Roman Empire makes it more difficult for him to assert his authority in Gaul, Hispaniae and Northern Africa. Yet, the support of Emperor Valentinian III provides a strong boost to Leo in those lands still under imperial control. Links: Icon of Leo the Great. Photo by […]

Pope Leo the Great seeks to exercise his authority over the Church of Italy to ensure right practice and right doctrine – particularly in struggles against resurgent Manicheanism and Pelagianism. Links: Icon of Leo the Great. Leo on prohibiting episcopal ordination to slaves on serfs Leo the the bishops of Sicily on baptism Leo on […]

In the West, Carthage falls under the Vandals and Pope Sixtus III tries to hold onto control of his territory. In the East, the conflict between Alexandria and Antioch heats up again as Cyril and his allies turn against the memory of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Diodore of Tarsus. Armenia moves toward Cyrillian theology and […]

The Christian Church struggles in North Africa as it finds itself facing a resurgent Vandal Arianism. In Ireland, the mission of Palladius seeks to shore up the faith against paganism and Pelagianism. Links: Image of Irish Pillar Stone. Photo taken by Jibi44 Formula of Union The Rediscovery of Irish Christianity Ó Cróinín (2000). “Who was […]

Emperor Theodosius II works extensively to promote union between John of Antioch and Cyril of Alexandria. While an agreement is made over the Formula of Union, not everyone is equally satisfied. What Theodosius can’t get through persuasion, he strives to get through force. Links: Image of Condemnation of Nestorius. Photo taken by Bignick28 Formula of […]

As supporters of Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch try to sway the emperor and the Roman public to their respective sides, the bishops of Cyril’s synod in Ephesus continue to make decisions about the future of the Church. However, it is increasingly looking like that future will involve a divided Church. Links: Mosaic […]