Commemoration of the Third Ecumenical Council (431)

The Third Ecumenical Council was held in the city of Ephesus (Asia Minor) in 431, in the reign of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger (408–450). It was convened to judge the false teaching of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople (428–431).

The council was appointed for 7 June 431, the feast of Pentecost. Two hundred bishops gathered to take part in it. Nestorius too came to Ephesus, but in spite of being summoned three times he did not appear at the sessions of the council. The fathers began to examine his heretical teaching without Nestorius. The sessions of the council continued from 22 June to 31 August. The Council of Ephesus was attended by such great fathers of the universal Church as Cyril of Alexandria, Juvenal of Jerusalem and Memnon of Ephesus (Celestine, Pope of Rome, could not come because of illness, but sent legates)… The assembled hierarchs condemned the heresy of Nestorius and confirmed the Orthodox teaching that in the one Person (Hypostasis) of Christ two natures, divine and human, are united inseparably and without confusion; and that the Most Holy Mother of the Lord must be glorified as Ever-Virgin and truly Mother of God. For the guidance of the Church the holy fathers of the council issued eight canons and the “Twelve Anathemas against Nestorius” of Cyril of Alexandria.