Toward the Council of Chalcedon, 451
                                                                                   By alex Pak

Introduction

• It was held aftermath of the Council of Ephesus 431.

• Politically, empress Pulcheria (399-453), who was a sister of emperor Theodosius II, and a wife of emperor Marcion was theologically involved.

• Pulcheria, even though she was marry to the emperor, remained as a nun.

• She was a throughout orthodox in her position.

• She helped to organized the Council of Chalcedon with her husband Marcion.

Eutyches (c. 380-456)

• In 448, Eutyches was seventy years old monk from Constantinople area. 

• He was a strong supporter of Cyrillian theology (one person of Christ).

• He was well connected in the monastic world in the eastern empire.

• Eutyches opposed Nestorianism (two person of Christ).

• In principle, he was immersed in Apollinarianism (Christ was without human soul, just one divine nature).

• He repudiated two natures of Christ.

• He was accused of embracing Apollinarianism of teaching of one nature of Christ.

• Apollinarius was a bishop of Laodicea and was identified with Cyrillianism. 

• He was condemned as a Docetist.

Political Background

• Nestorians continue to attack Cyrillian camp.

• Eutyches appealed to Rome, Alexandria, Jerusalem and Thessalonica.

• Antioch opposed Eutyches.

• In defense, Eutyches, Dioscurus and Chrysaphius formed a group to oppose attack.

• Dioscurus was a patriarch of Alexandria.

• He was condemned as a heretic, but is a saint in Coptic, and Syriac church.

• Chrysaphius was an eunuch who advice emperor Theodosius II.

• Leo I (400-461) was a pope who stood in line of orthodoxy. 

• He condemned Eutyches as a heretic.
• Leo said, “Eutyches deserved a verdict of condemnation.” (Davis, p. 176.)

Robber Council Background, 449

It was held on August 8, 449 with Dioscurus as the president of the council. And participant included pope legate Julius of Puteoli.
And there were 170 bishops who favored Dioscurus.

• The Robber council restored Eutyches and isolated Julius of Puteoli who did not understand Greek.

• By vote of 111 out 130, Eutyches was declared orthodox and restored his office of priest and archimandrite.

• Dioscurus deposed Eutyches’ accusers Flavian and Eusebius.

• Dioscurus tried to stop all who opposed him. He removed them from offices.

• Flavian of patriarch of Constantinople appealed to emperor Theodosius II and his sister Pulcheria.

• He demanded a new trial or council.

• But Flavian died while in exile.

• Leo called the Council of Ephesus 449 as a latocinium, which means robber.

• Theodosius II died in July 450.

• Pulcheria took power and married a general Marcion and worked behind him to crush Dioscurus party.

• Empress Pulcheria was sided with Pope Leo I, who angry with the Robber council and Dioscurus.

• Eutyches was sent to exile by the Marcion.

• Council was called on 451 by emperor.

• Place was in Chalcedon, across the Bosporus.

The Council of Chalcedon 451

• It was at Chalcedon on October 8, 451.

• 500 bishops attended the council.

• Council demanded the exclusion of Dioscurus for Pope Leo I labeled him as a heretic.

• However, Dioscurus was remained.

• Second session began on October 10.

• The council issued a document.

• Third session began on October 13.

• They deal with the issue of Dioscurus.

• Dioscurus’ was charged with receiving heretic Eutyches.

• Eutyches was condemned as a heretic by the pope.

• The council approved the decision of the Pope.

• Fourth session began on October 22.

• Vote was cast between pope Leo and Dioscurus.

• Decision came down to Leo.

• Dioscurus was condemned.
• Eutyches’ condemnation was stayed. 

• Leo tome was received as an orthodox along with writings of Cyril and Confession of Flavian.

Theological conclusion

• “Unity of person in Christ with two natures”

• The Divine of the same substance as the Father (homoousios to patri), the human of the same substance as us (homoousos emin), which are united unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably.

• It affirmed the definitions of Nicaea and Constantinople.

• It declared the errors of Nestorius and Eutyches.

• It condemned: 

1. Those who deny the title Theotokos (‘Mother of God’) to the Virgin Mary thereby implying that the humanity of Christ is separable from His Divine person;
2.  Those who confuse the Divine and human nature in one, and therefore hold that the Divine nature is by this confusion passible
3. Those who hold that the two natures existed before the union but became one at the Incarnation.

Aftermath of Chalcedon

• After death of emperor Marcion, Zeno the Isaurian became the new emperor.

• He wanted to appease both Eutychean and Leo I.

• He issued the “Henotikon” in 482.

Contents of Henotikon

• The condemnations of Eutyches and Nestorius made at Chalcedon.

• An explicit approval of the twelve anathemas of Cyril of Alexandria

• Avoiding any statement whether Christ had one or two natures, in an attempt to appease both Non-Chalcedonian and Chalcedonian Orthodox Christians.

• But appeasement did not work out.

Reference

Davis, Leo Donald. The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology. Collegeville, Minnesota:  Michael Glazier Book, 1983.
MaGuckin, John. A. St. Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy. Crestwood, New York: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2004.
Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Creeds. 3rd edition. New York: Continuum, 1972.
Pelikan, Jaroslav. Credo: Historical and Theological Guide TO Creeds And Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2003.
Young, Frances. The Making of the Creeds. London: SCM Press, 1991.