Cyril of Alexandria
Alexandrian bishop whose defense of the unity of Christ's person shaped the Council of Ephesus and later Christological discussion.
Historical context
The controversy with Nestorius involved theological language and ecclesial politics; Cyril's letters should be read with the council's acts and later reception.
Key points
- The title Theotokos protects the confession that the one born of Mary is the divine Word incarnate.
- The council approved Cyril's letter to Nestorius; later discussion refined how to speak of the distinct divine and human natures.
Scripture
- John 1:14 — The Word's becoming flesh frames the question of the one subject of the incarnation.
Primary sources
Cyril states in a passage preserved by Theodoret:
Cyril maintains both the distinction of Christ's natures and the unity of the one Son.
The natures which have been brought together in the true unity are distinct, and of both there is one God and Son
Passage context and translation
Theodoret quotes Cyril's letter to Nestorius as testimony in his own Dialogue 2. The excerpt is Cyril's wording as preserved there, not an independent work titled Dialogue 2 by Cyril.
After the excerpt
but the difference of the natures has not been removed in consequence of the union.
Sources and further reading
Related records
- Nestorian division
- Cyril of Alexandria and the union of Christ
- Ephesus — Third Ecumenical Council
- Chalcedon — Fourth Ecumenical Council
- Christology: One Christ, Fully Divine and Fully Human
- Council of Ephesus
- Council of Chalcedon
- Second Council of Constantinople
- Alexandria
- Ephesus
- The Christological councils and their reception