Alexander Schmemann

3. The Age Of The Ecumenical Councils (50 pages)

From Schmemann's A History of the Orthodox Church

Page 29

Fifth Ecumenical Council.

Paradoxically, the condemnation of Origen was the reason for much more important events, however. Although he had signed the edict, Theodore of Raïthu had never forgiven Pelagius for his interference in these disputes, which resulted in the condemnation of his beloved teacher. He gave Justinian the idea of condemning also the three late Antiochene theologians who had been chiefly connected in some way with Nestorianism: Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and Ibas of Edessa. All three leaders had been absolved at the Council of Chalcedon as a result of the Alexandrian accusations, and had died at peace with the Church. The Council of Chalcedon had been a victory from the theological point of view for Pope Leo the Great, and through him for the whole West. Thus in attacking the three “heads” (or “chapters,” as the three condemned teachers began to be called, in confusion with the three headings or chapters of the imperial edict against them), Theodore was insulting the West.

The plots of this dark intriguer are not quite clear to us — did he want a break with Rome as revenge for its interference with Origenism, or was he trying to strengthen his own position? Whatever the case, in the same court theological circle which had prepared the edict against Origen a new document was composed around 544, again in the form of an imperial edict, which solemnly condemned Theodore of Mopsuestia and those works of Theodoret of Cyrrhus and Ibas of Edessa in which they had disputed with Cyril of Alexandria. The emperor liked the idea, since the edict might furnish additional proof to the Monophysites that the Orthodox rejected Nestorius, and might bring them back into Orthodoxy at a time when administrative measures against the Monophysites were growing in strength.

While the condemnation of Origen had not aroused any opposition, the edict of 544 raised a storm. The papal representative Stephen, who had replaced Pelagius, refused outright to sign it. The four Eastern patriarchs signed only under threat of deposition and exile, and then on condition that if the Roman pope would not sign it they might revoke their signatures. The emperor had decided to get what he wanted, however. Pope Vigilius was arrested in Rome during a Church service and placed on a ship for Constantinople. En route, in Sicily he met the archbishop of Milan and representatives of the African churches; all were extremely opposed to the edict, regarding it as an open defiance of Chalcedon. He did not reach Constantinople until 547, where he was met with due solemnity.

Now began a long, sad story, which cannot be passed over in silence. At first Vigilius adopted an uncompromising position and refused communion to the patriarch and to all who had signed the edict against the “Three Heads.” Then Justinian began his theological brain-washing.
It must be said that the arguments of the Byzantine theologians were essentially correct. Theodore of Mopsuestia, as we have seen, was undoubtedly more the father of Nestorianism than his disciple Nestorius himself. On the other hand, if the Church recognized Cyril’s orthodoxy, the violent and obviously unjust attacks on him by Theodoret and Ibas undoubtedly merited condemnation.
The pope referred to their absolution by the Council of Chalcedon. The Council of Chalcedon, he was answered, had absolved them on the basis of their rejection of Nestorius and had not discussed their theological writings.

 

Previous Page / First / Next

Schmemann, A History of the Orthodox Church: Table of Contents

Cf.  Books for getting closer to Orthodox Christianity ||| Orthodox Images of the Christ ||| Byzantium : The Alternative History of Europe ||| Greek Orthodoxy - From Apostolic Times to the Present Day ||| A History of the Byzantine Empire ||| Videos about Byzantium and Orthodoxy ||| Aspects of Byzantium in Modern Popular Music ||| 3 Posts on the Fall of Byzantium  ||| Greek Literature / The New Testament

On Line Resources for Constantinople * On the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Greek Forum : Make a question / Start a Discussion 

Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/schmemann-orthodoxy-3-councils.asp?pg=29