Emperor Theodosius’ plans for a peaceful discussion of theology fall apart as rival councils gather in Ephesus and level excommunications against each other. Cyril get what he wants against Nestorius, but at great cost. Links: Painting of Third Ecumenical Council by V. Surikov Map of Ephesus – Church of Mary where Council of Ephesus took […]

Emperor Theodosius II decides to call a council in the city of Ephesus in the hopes of making peace between Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius of Constantinople. Sides are chosen and lines are drawn for the upcoming struggle for the faith. Links: Icon of Cyril of Alexandria and the Mother of God. Pope Celestine I’s […]

Nestorius finds himself condemned by synods in Rome and Alexandria, but just as things seem to be going Cyril’s way – his Twelve Anathemas drive a huge wedge into the Eastern Church Links: Painting of Cyril of Alexandria and the Mother of God. Photo taken by José Goncalves. Pope Cyril of Alexandria’s Third Letter to […]

Cyril of Alexandria asserts his own theology of Christ in response to the arguments of Nestorius and the Christological Controversy continues to intensify. Links: Icon of Christ treading the beasts by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro. Cyril of Alexandria – Scholia on the incarnation of the Only-Begotten and That Christ is One Cyril of Alexandria’s Second […]

The controversy over using the term Theotokos intensifies and we examine the Christology of Nestorius in greater detail. Links: Icon of Jesus “Not Made By Human Hands”. Proclus’ Homily on the Annunciation Works by Nestorius Additional material explaining Nestorius’ terminology and difference with Cyril of Alexandria Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the […]

Challenges face the Church in both the Western and Eastern halves of the Empire. The Vandals invade North Africa and lay siege to Augustine’s city of Hippo. Nestorius becomes bishop of Constantinople. Links: Portrait of Nestorius by Romeyn de Hooghe Apollinaris on Christology Alexandria and Antioch Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the […]

As with the monks of Africa, the monks of Gaul also have problems with Augustine’s views on predestination. Two monks from Gaul, John Cassian and Vincent of Lérins, are often mentioned as critics of Augustine – indeed they are sometimes called Semipelagians. Plus, the problem of Pelagianism in Britain. Links: Icon of John Cassian Augustine […]

We return to the declining fortunes of the West as Emperor Honorius dies and leaves the throne in the hands of a child. Meanwhile, in North Africa, Augustine finds himself once more forced to explain his views on grace and predestination. Links: Painting of Saint Augustine in his study by Sandro Botticelli Map of Praefecture […]

Saint Shenoute of Atribe – one of the most famous monks in Egypt and one of the most controversial. Links: Icon of Saint Shenoute of Atribe Life of Saint Shenoute and here Shenoute’s Monastic Federation 3-D Panorama of Shenoute’s tomb 3-D tour of Shenoute’s Red Monastery Emmel, Stephen. “Shenoute of Atripe and the christian destruction […]

The Eastern Roman Empire finds itself challenged by Alexander and the Sleepless Ones. Meanwhile, in Armenia, Saint Mesrop invents a new alphabet. Links: Gravesite of Mesrop Mashtots by Perland1 On the Sleepless Ones/Acoemetae Life of Mesrop Mashtots On the Armenian Alphabet Daniel Folger Caner. Wandering, Begging Monks: Spiritual Authority and the Promotion of Monasticism in […]