Nestorius

NESTORIUS : UNDERSTANDING INCARNATION
PROF. M. M. NINAN
Nestorius is approached by the Pelagian exiles, Julian and Caelestius.
Basil and his monks petition Theodosius II against Nestorius, and ask for an
Oecumenical Council
430. Cyril Ad Nestorium II and Ad Clericos Constantinopolitanos
101ff.,143-4, 149ff., 218,226,243,263
Lent
Nestorius replies to Cyril, this time more pugnaciously
Cyril De Recta Fide, (1) Ad Theodosium, (2) Ad Arcadiam et Marinam, (3) Ad
Pulcheriam et Eudoxiam.
April
Cyril Ad Caelestinum, sent by Poseidonius, with other documents enclosed
Cyril Ad Acadian (of Beroea) ----a fruitless effort to win over 'the East'.
August Nestorius is condemned at a Council at Rome. Caelestine writes to Cyril instructing
him to carry out the sentence, and to Nestorius bidding him to submit and to renounce
his 'novel doctrines' on pain of excommunication. |xviii
Cyril writes to John of Antioch and Juvenal of Jerusalem.
John writes to Nestorius begging him to submit and accept the term Theotokos.
November Nestorius Ad Caelestinum III.
Theodosius II and Valentinian III summon a General Council to meet at Ephesus at
Pentecost 431.
A Council held at Alexandria.
Cyril Ad Nestorium III (Synodical Letter), with the XII Anathematisms appended
December 7 Nestorius receives Cyril's 'synodical' letter and Caelestine's sentence of
excommunication, which cannot be put into force owing to the Imperial Letter
summoning the Council of Ephesus.
Dec. 13 & 14 Nestorius preaches two sermons (xiii and xiv) and sends them to Cyril with counter
anathematisms. He also replies to John of Antioch, and with the aid of Cyril's
anathematisms wins him over.
430-1. Cassian De incarnatione Domini contra Nestorianos, written at the invitation of
Caelestine.
431. Marius Mercator Nestorii blasphemiarum capitula, based on Nestorius' December
sermons.
John of Antioch enlists Andrew of Samosata and Theodoret of Cyrus on the side of
Nestorius.
Cyril Apologia contra Orientales, in reply to Andrew, and Apologia contra
Theodoretum pro XII capitibus, and Adversus Nestorii blasphemias libri V.
Cyril writes to Caelestine asking what is to be done if Nestorius recants.
431. May 7 Caelestine replies that 'God willeth not the death of a sinner', and Cyril is to do what
he can to win Nestorius back.
June 7 Whitsunday.
June 12 By 12th June there are assembled at Ephesus:
(1) Nestorius with ten bishops.
(2) Counts Irenaeus and Candidianus, the latter |xix representing the Emperor, who
had given him a letter of instructions.
(3) Cyril with fifty bishops.
(4) Juvenal of Jerusalem with the bishops of Palestine.
(5) Flavian of Philippi with the bishops of Macedonia.
(6) Besulas, a deacon, representing the African Church.
Memnon closes the churches of Ephesus to the Nestorians
Conversations between Nestorius and (a) Acacius of Melitene, (b) Theodotus of
Ancyra
87