Nestorianism

== Nestorian Schism ==
{{Main|Nestorian Schism}}
Nestorianism became a distinct sect following the [[Nestorian Schism]], beginning in the 430s. Nestorius had come under fire from Western theologians, most notably [[Cyril of Alexandria]]. Cyril had both theological and political reasons for attacking Nestorius; on top of feeling that Nestorianism was an error against true belief, he also wanted to denigrate the head of a competing patriarchate.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} Cyril and Nestorius asked [[Pope Celestine I]] to weigh in on the matter. Celestine found that the title ''[[Theotokos]]''<ref name=":1"/> was orthodox, and authorized Cyril to ask Nestorius to recant. Cyril, however, used the opportunity to further attack Nestorius, who pleaded with Emperor Theodosius II to call a council so that all grievances could be aired.<ref name=BritannicaNestorius/>

In 431 Theodosius called the Council of Ephesus. However, the council ultimately sided with Cyril, who held that the Christ contained two natures in one divine person (''hypostasis'', unity of subsistence), and that the Virgin Mary, conceiving and bearing this divine person, is truly called the Mother of God (''Theotokos''). The council accused Nestorius of [[heresy]], and deposed him as patriarch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monachos.net/patristics/christology/cyril_to_nestorius_3.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704053517/http://www.monachos.net/patristics/christology/cyril_to_nestorius_3.shtml |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |title=Cyril of Alexandria, Third Epistle to Nestorius, with 'Twelve Anathemas'|website=Monachos.net}}</ref> Upon returning to his monastery in 436, he was banished to Upper Egypt. Nestorianism was officially anathematized, a ruling reiterated at the [[Council of Chalcedon]] in 451. However, a number of churches, particularly those associated with the [[School of Edessa]], supported Nestorius – though not necessarily his doctrine – and broke with the churches of the West. Many of Nestorius' supporters relocated to the [[Sasanian Empire]] of Iran, home to a vibrant but persecuted Christian minority.<ref name=Britannica>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nestorianism "Nestorianism"]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved January 28, 2010.</ref> In Upper Egypt, Nestorius wrote his ''Book of Heraclides'', responding to the two councils at Ephesus (431, 449).{{sfn|Hodgson|Driver|1925|p=}}

=== Christian denomination tree ===
{{Christian denomination tree}}