Nestorianism

Nestorianism, historical doctrine espoused by Nestorius, archbishop of Constantinople from 428 to 431. Nestorius preached a variant of the orthodox doctrine concerning the nature of Jesus Christ (see Christology). The orthodox doctrine is that Christ has two natures, one divine and one human, which although distinct are joined in one Person and Substance; Nestorius claimed that in Christ a divine and a human Person acted as one, but did not join to compose the unity of a single individual. Also, according to Nestorius, the Virgin Mary (see Mary) could not be called Mother of God, as she was termed by more orthodox Christians, because her son, Jesus, was born as a man, his divine nature being derived not from her but from the Father who begot him. The doctrines of Nestorius spread throughout the Byzantine Empire during the early 5th century and caused much argument. In 431 the Council of Ephesus declared the Nestorian beliefs to be a heresy, deposed Nestorius and drove him out of the empire, and persecuted his followers (see Ephesus, Council of). The Nestorians sought refuge in Persia, India, China, and Mongolia where in early medieval times the Nestorian church was powerful, although it was greatly reduced by later persecution.

See also Christianity; Monarchianism; Monophysitism; Monothelitism; Trinity.