Saint Flavian and the Robber Council of Ephesus

Gloria Romanorum ^ | 2/18/2017 | Florentius

[Antoninus]

The feast day of Saint Flavian, martyr, falls on February 18. Flavian was archbishop of Constantinople from AD 446 through 449. Though he lived long after the traditional age of Christian martyrs, Flavian is nonetheless accounted one of their number, though he was slain by men calling themselves Christians--indeed, he died either during or in the immediate aftermath of a Church Council.

As one of the principle parties at the so-called Robber Council of Ephesus, Flavian found himself on the wrong side of the powerful Patriarch of Alexandria, Dioscorus, and a veritable army of monks led by the Syrian archimandrite, Barsaumas. These two were intent on defending the presbyter Eutyches, who had taught in error that Christ had but a single nature. Dioscorus had the tacit support of the emperor, Theodosius II, and especially of Chrysaphius, the powerful imperial chamberlain. Supporting Flavian was Pope Leo I in Rome, who sent legates to the council. When it became clear that Dioscorus and his henchmen would use force to impose their will, one of these legates, Hilarius (later Pope himself), shouted "Contradicitur!" and then with difficulty escaped the council.

How Flavian was killed is not precisely clear. Here is an account of what happened drawn from the Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius, written not long after the event, as part of Evagrius's explanation of why the Council of Chalcedon was called:

While entertaining these intentions, the emperor [Marcian] is addressed both by the legates of Leo, bishop of the elder Rome, who alleged that Dioscorus had, during the second council of Ephesus, refused to receive the epistle of Leo, containing a formula of the true doctrine; and also by those who had been contumeliously treated by Dioscorus, intreating that their case might be submitted to the decision of a synod. But Eusebius, who had been president of the church of Dorylaeum, was especially urgent, and affirmed that both himself and Flavian had been deposed by the intrigues of Chrysaphius, the minister of Theodosius, because, in reply to his demand of an offering in gold, Flavian had, in acknowledgment of his own appointment, sent the sacred vessels to shame him; and also that Chrysaphius made a near approach to Eutyches in erroneous doctrine. He also said, that Flavian had even been brought to a miserable end by being thrust and trampled on by Dioscorus himself. These circumstances caused the synod at Chalcedon to be assembled; for which purpose the bearers of missives were despatched, and the prelates in all quarters were summoned by pious letters. [Taken from: The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius, Book II, Chapter II).

In most accounts modern accounts of this event, Flavian is said to have been gravely injured by this rough handling and perished a few days afterwards. Blame for his death was affixed by many to Dioscorus and Barsaumas, as we can see more clearly in a dramatic scene recorded in the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon shortly after AD 451:

Diogenes the most devout bishop of Cyzicus said: ‘Barsaumas, who entered among them, slaughtered the blessed Flavian. He was standing there and saying, “Slaughter him.” Since he is not in the petition, why has he come in?’

All the most devout bishops exclaimed: ‘Barsaumas destroyed all Syria. He incited thousands of monks against us.’

The most magnificent and glorious officials said to the monks: ‘In accordance with your request in the petition, our most divine and pious master gave orders both that the holy council should convene and that you should now gain entrance. So now that you have entered, have the patience to learn the decisions of the same most holy council concerning the faith.’

Carosus and Dorotheus the most devout archimandrites and the other monks said: ‘We ask that the plaint we have brought be read out.’

The most devout bishops exclaimed: ‘Drive out the murderer Barsaumas. The murderer to the stadium! Anathema to Barsaumas! [Send] Barsaumas into exile!’

Saint Flavian's name would be forever immortalized, however, by the Tome of Leo which was written before his death. Addressed to Flavian by Pope Leo, this work was a condemnation of Eutyches, a staunch defense of Flavian's position, as well as an act of faith that would become a doctrinal statement on the two natures of Christ, human and divine.

[Antoninus]

For the feast day of a bishop martyred at a Church Council in AD 449 ~ Saint Flavian, archbishop of Constantinople.

[Antoninus]

GGG ping.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Ephesus seems to be the place where many travesties originated in the Roman Catholic Church. In 431 in Ephesus, where Diana was once worshipped, Mary became a new Goddess breaking the first commandment. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia...

The status of Mary as Theotokos was a topic of theological dispute in the 4th and 5th centuries and was the subject of the decree of the Council of Ephesus of 431 to the effect that, in opposition to those who denied Mary the title Theotokos ("the one who gives birth to God") but called her Christotokos ("the one who gives birth to Christ"), Mary is Theotokos because her son Jesus is one person who is both God and man, divine and human

[SunkenCiv]

Flavian found himself on the wrong side of the powerful Patriarch of Alexandria, Dioscorus, and a veritable army of monks led by the Syrian archimandrite, Barsaumas.

I hate it when that happens.

Watched this late last night / early this morning.

Bettany Hughes explores some of the amazing history of the city of Alexandria, with particular emphasis on the city's role in the preservation of ancient knowledge and how the late Roman inhabitants of Alexandria blended eastern Mediterranean culture and learning, leading to a number of the most important developments in human civilization. | Bettany Hughes - The Ancient Worlds 1 of 7 Alexandria The Greatest City | Youtube } Published on Jan 31, 2013

[Antoninus]

Mary became a new Goddess breaking the first commandment. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia.

Uh, no one thinks that the Theotokos is a "goddess" no matter what Wikipedia says.

[Antoninus]

Although Alexandria was known as a center of knowledge in antiquity, it was also infamous for being a center of moral depravity and for frequent bloody ethnic and sectarian riots.

Luxury has deranged all things" ~ Saint Clement of Alexandria on living as a Christian in a decadent culture

"Martyrs Neither Ignoble Nor Few" ~ The death of Hypatia and mob violence against Christians during the reign of Julian the Apostate

[Jan_Sobieski]

Then why do Roman Catholics pray to her and call her the “co-redeemer”?

[Antoninus]

Then why do Roman Catholics pray to her and call her the “co-redeemer”?

1.) Roman Catholics ask others to intercede with Almighty God on their behalf, including the saints in heaven. This is not worship, except in the minds of protestants who wish to accuse Catholics of idolatry.

2.) The notion of Mary, the Mother of as "co-redemptrix" has been posited by some, but it has never been part of the dogma of the Catholic Church.

[Campion]

The prefix “co-” means “with,” not “equal to”. We are all called to be co-redeemers with Christ, unless you think that “co-operation” (there’s that prefix again) with Christ is a bad thing.