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To: ELS
But the rivalry with Constantinople flared again some ten years later, when in 428, Nestorius - an authoritative and severe monk from the Antioch school - was elected Bishop of Constantinople. Indeed, the new bishop soon drew opposition because he preferred to refer to Mary as the "Mother of Christ" (Christotokos) instead of that which was already very dear to the people, "Mother of God" (Theotokos). The reason for Nestorius's choice was his advocacy of Antiochean Christology which, in wishing to safeguard the importance of Christ's humanity, ended up by splitting it off from his divinity. Thus, if God and man were not united in Christ, then one could not speak of "the Mother of God."

The reaction from Cyril - who was at the time the greatest advocate of Alexandrian Christology, which underscored the oneness of Christ's person - was almost immediate. From 429, he used every measure to reinforce this, including letters to Nestorius himself.

Five Tomes Against Nestorius

4 posted on 10/04/2007 6:18:42 AM PDT by ELS (Vivat Benedictus XVI!)
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To: ELS
"Cyril was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1882,"

Does anybody know why Cyril didn't receive this honor until 1400 years after he died?

Were there "political" fences (matters of Church unity) being mended here?

And does anybody know whether Cyril was ever quite exonerated in the death of Hypatia?

6 posted on 10/04/2007 6:53:51 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Point of information)
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