LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOME OF THE ANCIENT EMINENT CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND WRITERS – JOHN CHRYSOSTO

LIFE
AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
OF
SOME
OF
THE
ANCIENT
EMINENT
CHRISTIAN
LEADERS
AND
WRITERS
–
JOHN
CHRYSOSTOM,
DIODORE
OF
TARSUS,
THEODORE
OF
MOPSUESTIA
AND
CYRIL
OF
ALEXANDRIA

Fr Dr ThomsonRobi

Dept.ofHistory,CatholicateCollege,Pathanamthitta

I. St.JohnChrysostom(c.347-407)

Saint John Chrysostom (c.347– c.407), archbishop of Constantinople, was an importantearlyfatherofthechurch.Heisknownforhiseloquenceinpreaching and public speaking After his death, he was given the Greek surname 1 Chrysostomos, meaning "Golden mouthed", rendered in English as Chrysostom.TheOrthodoxChurchandEasternCatholicChurcheshonourhim as a saint (feast days: November 13 and January 27) and count him among the ThreeHolyHierarchstogetherwithSaintsBasiltheGreatandGregorytheTheologian.HeisrecognizedbytheRomanCatholicChurchasasaintandaDoctorof theChurch.Johnsurname"Chrysostom"occursforthefirsttimeinthe"Constitution"ofPopeVigiliusintheyear553isgenerallyconsideredthemostprominentdoctoroftheGreekChurchandthegreatestpreachereverheardinaChristianpulpit. ChrysostomisknownwithinChristianitychieflyasapreacher,theologian and liturgist, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Outside the ChristiantraditionChrysostomisnotedforeightofhissermonswhichplayeda considerablepartinthehistoryofChristiananti-Semitism,andwereextensively misusedbytheNazisintheirideologicalcampaignagainsttheJews.

1. Life

1.1 Earlylifeandeducation

AtthetimeofChrysostom'sbirth,AntiochwasthesecondcityoftheEasternpart oftheRomanEmpire.JohnChrysostomwasborninAntiochinc.347.Different scholarsdescribehismotherAnthusaasapaganorasaChristian,andhisfather wasahighrankingmilitaryofficer Hisfather,Secundusdiedsoonafterhisbirth andhewasraisedbyhismother Fortunatelyshewasawomanofintelligenceand character.Shenotonlyinstructedhersoninpiety,butalsosenthimtothebest schoolsofAntioch,thoughwithregardtomoralsandreligionmanyobjections couldbeurgedagainstthem.Johnbeganhiseducationunderthepaganteacher Libanius.FromhimJohnacquiredtheskillsforacareerinrhetoric,aswellasa loveoftheGreeklanguageandliterature.Ashegrewolder,however,hebecame more deeply committed to Christianity and went on to study theology under 2 DiodoreofTarsus(founderofthere-constitutedSchoolofAntioch). According to the Christian historian Sozomen, Libanius was supposed to have said on his deathbedthatJohnwouldhavebeenhissuccessor"iftheChristianshadnottaken himfromus".

Itwasaverydecisiveturning-pointinthelifeofChrysostomwhenhemetone dayin367thebishopMeletius.Theearnest,mild,andwinningcharacterofthis man captivated Chrysostom in such a measure that he soon began to withdraw from classical and profane studies and to devote himself to an ascetic and religiouslife.HestudiedHolyScriptureandfrequentedthesermonsofMeletius.In 372,hereceivedHolyBaptismandwasordainedreaderattheageof23. After baptisminhepursuedbiblicalandasceticstudiesunderthespiritualdirectionof CarteriusandespeciallyofthefamousDiodorus,laterBishopofTarsus.Prayer, manuallabourandthestudyofHolyScripturewerehischiefoccupations,and supposethathisfirstliteraryworksdatefromthistime,fornearlyallhisearlier writingsdealwithasceticandmonasticsubjects.Helivedwithextremeasceticism(AD374-381)andbecameahermitc.375,where hisselfimposedregime wassoharshthatitdamagedhishealth.Therefore,hispoorhealthforcedhimto 3 returntoAntioch.

1.2 PriesthoodandserviceinAntioch

Hewasordainedasadeaconin381byMeletiusofAntioch,andwasordainedas a presbyter in 386 by Bishop Flavian I ofAntioch. Over the course of twelve years (386-98), he gained popularity because of the eloquence of his public speaking, especially his insightful expositions of Bible passages and moral teaching.ThemostvaluableofhisworksfromthisperiodarehisHomiliesonvarious books of the Bible. He composed his most famous book, "On the Priest46 hood",towardstheendof38 InLentof387;hedeliveredhissermons"Onthe Statues".Heemphasisedcharitablegivingandwasconcernedwiththespiritual andtemporalneedsofthepoor Healsospokeoutagainstabuseofwealthandpersonalproperty Hesays,“WealthwasGod-given.Howtheyenjoysomanyacres, 5 whileyourneighbourhasnotaspoonfulofearth”. Hisstraightforwardpreaching helped Chrysostom to garner popular support. He led many Christians to repentance, calmed the fears of the citizens and brought large numbers of non 6 Christiansintothechurch. HefoundedaseriesofhospitalsinConstantinopleto

careforthepoor

1.3 ArchbishopofConstantinople(AD398-404)

InA.D398,February26,hewaselectedbishopofConstantinople.Thefirstactof the new bishop was to bring about reconciliation between Flavian and Rome. Constantinopleitselfsoonbegantofeeltheimpulseofanewecclesiasticallife. DuringhistimeasArchbishopheadamantlyrefusedtohostlavishsocialgatherings;hewouldhavenopomp,luxuryorgrandeur;hesoldtheEpiscopalplateand ornamentsforthebenefitofthepoor;whichmadehimpopularwiththecommon people, but unpopular with wealthy citizens. Some clergies practiced adultery and'spiritualsisters'.Themonkswerewanderingabouttoofreelyandhadtobe restrained. They were censured and even deposed. He forbade the clergy's 7 p[participationinthenightvigilsingingasacounter–attractiontotheArians.

His time in Constantinople was more tumultuous than his time in Antioch. Theophilus,thePatriarchofAlexandria,wantedtobringConstantinopleunder hisswayandopposedJohn'sappointmenttoConstantinople.Beinganopponent ofOrigen'steachings,heaccusedJohnofbeingtoopartialtotheteachingsofthat theologian. He made another enemy inAelia Eudoxia, the wife of the eastern EmperorArcadius.Theyheldasynodin403tochargeJohn,inwhichhisconnec8 tion to Origen was used against him. It resulted in his deposition and banishment.HewascalledbackbyArcadius.Peacewasshort-lived.Asilverstatueof Eudoxia was erected near his cathedral, John denounced this ceremonies. He 9 spokeagainstherinharshterms. In404,bytheSynodoftheOak;hewasfurther exiledtoPitiunt(AbkhaziaregionofGeorgia)wherehistombistheshrineforpilgrims.Heneverreachedthisdestination,ashediedduringthejourney Hediedin exileinSeptember407.HewasburiedatComana.On27January,438,hisbody wastranslatedtoConstantinoplewithgreatpomp,andentombedinthechurchof theApostleswhereEudoxiahadbeenburiedintheyear404.

2. Writings

Chrysostomhasdeservedaplaceinecclesiasticalhistory,notsimplyasBishop of Constantinople, but chiefly as a Doctor of the Church. Of none of the other GreekFathersdowepossesssomanywritings.Wemaydividethemintothree portions,the"homilies",the"treatise",andthe"letters".

1. Amongthe"homilies"wehavetodistinguishcommentariesonbooksof Holy Scripture,groups of homilies (sermons) on special subjects, and a greatnumberofsinglehomilies.(a)Thechief"commentaries"ontheOld Testament are the sixty-seven homilies "On Genesis" (with eight sermonsonGenesis);fifty-ninehomilies"OnthePsalms"(4-12,41,43-49, 108-117, 119-150), a commentary on the first chapters of "Isaiah", the fragments on Job are spurious.10 The chief commentaries on the New 11 Testament are first the ninety homilies on "St. Matthew" (c. 390); 12 eighty-eighthomilieson"St.John"(c.389); fifty-fivehomilieson"the 13 Acts";13andhomilies"OnallEpistlesofSt.Paul. Thebestandmost importantcommentariesarethoseonthePsalms,onSt.Matthew,andon theEpistletotheRomans(c.391).Thethirty-fourhomiliesontheEpistle totheGalatiansalsoveryprobablycometousfromthehandofasecond editor (b) Among the "homilies forming connected groups", we may especiallymentionthefivehomilies"OnAnna";three"OnDavid";six "On Ozias"; eight "Against the Jews"; and the seven famous homilies "On St. Paul". (c)Agreat number of "single homilies" deal with moral subjects, with certain feasts or saints. One of the recurring features of 14 John'ssermonsishisemphasisoncarefortheneedy

2. Outsideofhissermons,anumberofJohn'sothertreatiseshavehadalastinginfluence.OnesuchworkisJohn'searlytreatiseAgainstThoseWho Oppose the Monastic Life, written while he was a deacon (sometime before 386), which was directed to parents, pagan as well as Christian, whosesonswerecontemplatingamonasticvocation.Thebookisasharp attackonthevaluesofAntiocheneupper-classurbansocietywrittenby someonewhowasamemberofthatclass.Chrysostomalsowritesthat, alreadyinhisday,itwascustomaryforAntiochenestosendtheirsonsto beeducatedbymonks.Hisearlywork'OnthePriesthood'isafinelycon15 ceiveddescriptionoftheresponsibilityoftheChristianminister

3. Bestknownof236lettersaretwotoPopeInnocentIandseventeenletters

Copyright©2023,IERJ.Thisopen-accessarticleispublishedunderthetermsoftheCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial4.0InternationalLicensewhichpermitsShare(copyandredistributethematerialinany mediumorformat)andAdapt(remix,transform,andbuilduponthematerial)undertheAttribution-NonCommercialterms.

tothedeaconessOlympias.Therestaddressedtomorethan100persons, giveanintimatepictureoftheexile. Themostimportantspuriouswork inLatinisthe"Opusimperfectum",writtenbyanArianinthefirsthalfof 16 thefifthcentury

3. OtherTeachings:

Chrysostomexplicitlyacknowledgesasaruleoffaithtradition,aslaiddownby theauthoritativeteachingoftheChurch.ThisChurch,hesays,isbutone,bythe unityofherdoctrine;sheisspreadoverthewholeworld;sheistheoneBrideof Christ.AstoChristology,ChrysostomholdsclearlythatChristisGodandmanin one person, but he never enters into deeper examination of the manner of this union.OfgreatimportanceishisdoctrineregardingtheEucharist.Therecannot betheslightestdoubtthatheteachestheRealPresence,andhisexpressionson the change wrought by the words of the priest are equivalent to the doctrine of transubstantiation.

Beyondhispreaching,theotherlastinglegacyofJohnishisinfluenceonChristianliturgy Twoofhiswritingsareparticularlynotable.HeharmonizedtheliturgicallifeoftheChurchbyrevisingtheprayersandrubricsoftheDivineLiturgy, orcelebrationoftheHolyEucharist.Chrysostom'sliturgicallegacyhasinspired 17 severalmusicalcompositions.

4. TheologicalImportanceofChrysostom

4.1 ChrysostomasOrator:ThesuccessofChrysostom'spreachingischiefly duetohisgreatnaturalfacilityofspeech,totheabundanceofhisthoughtsaswell as the popular way of presenting and illustrating them. He ordinarily preferred moralsubjects,andveryseldominhissermonsfollowedaregularplan.Inthis way,heisbynomeansamodelforourmodernthematicpreaching.

4.2 Chrysostom as an exegete: As an exegete Chrysostom is of the highest importance,forheisthechiefandalmosttheonlysuccessfulrepresentativeof theexegeticalprinciplesoftheSchoolofAntioch.DiodorusofTarsushadinitiated him into the grammatico-historical method of that school, which was in strong opposition to the eccentric, allegorical, and mystical interpretation of OrigenandtheAlexandrianSchool.

4.3 Chrysostom as Dogmatic Theologian: As has already been said, Chrysostom'swasnotaspeculativemind,norwasheinvolvedinhislifetimein greatdogmaticcontroversies.Neverthelessitwouldbeamistaketounderratethe greattheologicaltreasureshiddeninhiswritings.FromtheveryfirsthewasconsideredbytheGreeksandLatinsasamostimportantwitnesstotheFaith.Evenat theCouncilofEphesus(431)bothparties,St.CyrilandtheAntiochians,already invokedhimonbehalfoftheiropinions,andattheSeventhEcumenicalCouncil, when a passage of Chrysostom had been read in favour of the veneration of images,BishopPeterofNicomediacriedout:"IfJohnChrysostomspeaksinthe wayoftheimages,whowoulddaretospeakagainstthem?"whichshowsclearly 18 theprogresshisauthorityhadmadeuptothatdate.

Conclusion

Hewasanexcellentpreacher Asatheologian,hehasbeenandcontinuestobe veryimportantinEasternChristianity,andisgenerallyconsideredthemostprominentdoctoroftheGreekChurch,buthasbeenlessimportanttoWesternChristianity His writings have survived to the present day more so than any of the otherGreekFathers.[1]Herejectedthecontemporarytrendforallegory,instead speakingplainlyandapplyingBiblepassagesandlessonstoeverydaylife.His exiles demonstrated that secular powers dominated the Eastern Church at this period in history It also demonstrated the rivalry between Constantinople and Alexandriaforrecognitionasthepre-eminentEasternSee.

II. TheodoreofMopsuestia(c.350-428)

TheodoretheInterpreter(ca.350-428),wasbishopofMopsuestia,acityinwhat is now Turkey which has since declined into a village which is now known as Yakapinar,from392to428.HeisalsoknownasTheodoreofAntioch,fromthe placeofhisbirthandpresbyterate.HeisthebestknownrepresentativeofthemiddleAntiocheneSchoolofhermeneutics.

1. Lifeandwork

TheodoreofMopsuestiawasborninAntioch,A.D.350,wherehisfatherheldan official position and the family was wealthy His brother Polychronius became bishop of the Metropolitan see ofApamea. Theodore first appears as the early companionandfriendofChrysostomandbuttwoorthreeyearshisseniorinage. TogetherwiththeircommonfriendMaximus,heenjoyedaphilosophicaleducation.Thecleverandhighlygiftedyouthreceivedtheeducationinclassicalliteratureusualtohisstationandstudiedphilosophyandrhetoricintheschoolofthe renownedpaganrhetoricianLibanius.WhenChrysostomhimselfhadbeenconvertedtothemonasticlifeofBasilofCaesarea,helikewiseconvertedMaximus andTheodore.Hehadbeenpreviouslybaptizedbeforetakingupmonasticvows. Yet from the writings of Chrysostom it is clear he found joy in ascetic selfdiscipline,andhehadjustassumedacelibatelife.Chrysostom'sconnectionwith Diodorewasprobablybrokenoffin374,whenheplungedintoamorecomplete monastic seclusion; Theodore's seems to have continued until the elevation of 19 DiodoretotheseeofTarsusin378.

DuringthisperioddoubtlessthefoundationswerelaidofTheodore'sunderstand-

ingoftheBibleandecclesiasticaldoctrine.HispeculiarviewsofthePersonof ChristhelphimtoleadbyhisantagonismagainstApollinarisofLaodicea.ThelatteryearsofthisdecadewitnessedTheodore'sfirstappearanceasawriter Hewas ordained priest atAntioch in 383, in his thirty-third year, the ordaining bishop beingdoubtlessFlavian.Theodore'sgreattreatiseontheIncarnationbelongsto thisperiod.In392,hewasconsecratedtotheseeofMopsuestiaonthedeathof 20 Olympius,probablythroughtheinfluenceofDiodore. Hespenthisremaining thirty-sixyearsoflifeinthistown.

Mopsuestia was a free town; city of the second province of Cilicia on the Pyramusriver,betweenTarsusandIssus,atpresentdayMisis.Itsnamemeans 21 hearthofMopsos,alegendryseerwhowasbelievedtohavebeenitsfounder Theodore's long episcopate was marked by no striking incidents. In 394 he attended a synod at Constantinople on a question which concerned the see of BostrainthepartiarchateofAntioch.Whilethere,Theodorehadtheopportunity topreachbeforetheemperorTheodosiusI,thesermonmadeadeepimpression, and emperor, who had sat at the feet of Ambrose and Gregory Nazianzus, declared that he had never met with such a teacher Another glimpse of Theodore'sEpiscopallifeissuppliedbyaletterofChrysostomtohimfromCucusus (AD404-407).LikemanyfiguresintheearlyChurch,Theodorewasauniversalist, believing that all people would eventually be saved. Ibas of Edessa that 22 praisedTheodore“asaHeraldoftruthanddoctoroftheChurch”.

Duringhislifetime,TheodorewasconsideredanorthodoxChristianthinkerand evenafterhehadbeenanathematizedforNestorianismhisUniversalismwasnot stigmatized.InhisconfessionoffaithhewrotethatChrist"willrestoreusallinto communionwithhimself”.Theodoreworkedzealouslyforthegoodofhisdiocese He struggled against extinguished Arianism and other heresies in Mopsuestia. Several of his works are doubtless monuments of these pastoral labours,e.g.thecatecheticallectures,andthetreatiseon"PersianMagic."Yethis Episcopalworkwasbynomeanssimplythatofadiocesanbishop.

Theodore'slastyearswerecomplicatedbytwocontroversies.Whenin418the PelagianleadersweredeposedandexiledfromtheWest,theysoughtintheEast thesympathyofthechiefliving representativeoftheschoolofAntioch.TheodorewithhavingturnedagainstJulianassoonasthelatterhadleftMopsuestia, andanathematizedhiminaprovincialsynod.AgreaterheresiarchthanJulianvisitedMopsuestiainthelastyearofhislife.ItisstatedthatNestorius,onhisway from Antioch to Constantinople (AD 428), took counsel with Theodore and receivedfromhimtheseedsofheresywhichheshortlyafterwardsscatteredwith suchdisastrousresults.Towardsthecloseof428,Theodorediedattheageofsev23 enty-eight,thestormwasgathering,butdidnotbreakuntilafterhisdeath.

ThecouncilofEphesus,however,whileitcondemnedNestoriusbyname,contented itself with condemningTheodore's creed without mentioningTheodore. This circumstance deepened the mistrust of the orthodox, and even in the East there were some who proceeded to condemn the teaching of Theodore Hesychius of Jerusalem attacked him around 435 in his Ecclesiastical History; Rabbula,bishopofEdessa,whoatEphesushadsidedwithJohnofAntioch,now 24 publiclyanathematizedTheodore.

1. Writings

Nestorianwritersofthe13thand14thcenturiesprovidethebestavailablelistsof Theodore'sworks.Whilemostofhiswritingsarenotextant,fragmentsofsuch worksasCommentaryontheMinorProphetsandDisputationwithMacedonians stillexist.HisCommentaryontheMinorProphetsshowssimilarinsistenceon thehistoricalsituationenvisionedbyeachprophet.ItisnoteworthyforitsindependenceofearlierhermeneuticalauthoritiesandTheodore'sreluctancetoadmit aChristologicalreference.Itismarkedaconsiderablemonumentofhisexpository power, and the best illustration we possess of the Antiochene method of 25 interpretingOldTestamentprophecy

HiscommentariesontherestoftheBiblehavesurvivedonlyinquotationsand excerpts.PerhapsmostnotableoftheseishiscommentaryonGenesis,whichis citedbyCosmasIndicopleustes.Ofhisotherexegeticalwritings,wepossessthe greaterpartofhiscommentaryonthepsalms,fragmentsofhiscommentaryon Genesis,aSyriacversionofhiscommentaryonSt.John'sGospel,andLatinversionofhiscommentaryontheminorEpistleofSt.Paul.BesidespiecesofhiscommentariesonbooksfromtheOldandNewTestament,therewashistreatiseinfifteen books, on the Incarnation. It was directed against the Apollinarians and Eunomians. Photius mentions that Theodore wrote three books on "Persian Magic", which not only attacked Zoroastrianism, but also betrayed his "Nestorian"viewsinthethirdbook,anddefendedbeliefinthefinalrestorationof allmen.Lastly,Theodorewroteaportionofaliturgy;"notcontentwithdraftinga new creed, he sought to impose upon the church a newAnaphora". M.Richard argued that the compilers to misrepresented Theodore's thought that their 26 extractsarecompletelyunreliableasabasisforajudgementonhisdoctrine.

3. Christology

Theodore'sChristologyexercisedamoredirectandeventfulinfluenceonthedoctrineofhisdiscipleNestorius.HewasaccustomedtospeakoftwoSonsunitedin someundefinedwayinoneperson,hethoughtandtaughtofconjunctionofthe twonaturesinChrist.,ratherthanofaunion,whichwasthetermusedbyortho27 dox teachers. Theodore's central thesis was that the redemption of humanity

depends on the perfection and obedience of Christ as man. Jesus' identity with Godconsistedinthe'lovingaccord'betweenhiswillandtheFather's.Theodore wasanxioustosafeguardtherealityofChrist'shumanitywhichherightlysawto be prejudiced by Apollinarianism. He says that the union of God and man in Christtoformasingleperson(prosopon)innosensedestroysorqualifiestheper28 manentdualityofthetwouniting'natures'. Thecontemporarypolemicsagainst Arianism andApollinarianism led theAntiochenes to emphasize energetically theperfectDivinityandtheunimpairedHumanityofChrist,andtoseparateas sharplyaspossiblethetwonatures.

TheunionoftwonaturesstartedinthewombofMary Initthelogosconnected himself with a perfect man in a mysterious way By the grace of god Jesus increasedinperfection.Inthisway,hesaid,thereisonepersoninJesus,butthe naturesarenitmixed.Thedivinenaturedoesnotchangethehumannatureinits essence. Jesus had a human nature which by grace could follow the divine natures.Thus,inasermonwhichhedeliveredatAntiochTheodorevehemently attacked the use of the term Theotokos, because Mary was strictly speaking anthropotokos,andonlyindirectlyTheotokos.Itcannotindeedbedeniedthatthe Antiocheneseparationofthenaturesmustresultinanimproperweakeningofthe unioninChrist.LikeNestorius,TheodoreexpresslydeclaresthatMaryalsogave birthtoaman,theotherthat,MarygavebirthtoGod,becausethebodyofJesus wasunitedwiththeLogosofGod. Thus,accordingtoTheodore,HisactualfreedomfromsinwouldbetheresultofHisphysicalunionwithGod,notameritof His free will. The two natures form a unity, "like man and wife" or "body and 29soul".

AtConstantinople,theFifthGeneralSynod(553),Theodore'swritingsandperson,wereplacedunderanathema.Hediedin428,theyearinwhichNestoriussucceededtotheEpiscopalSeeofConstantinople.

Conclusion

DuringhislifetimeTheodorewasalwaysregardedasorthodoxandasaprominentecclesiasticalauthor,andwasevenconsultedbydistantbishopsontheologicalquestions.HerankednexttoOrigenintheesteemoftheancientchurch.For nearlyfiftyyearshemaintainedthecauseofthechurchincontroversywithvariousclassesofassailants,andthroughouthislifehisorthodoxywasregardedas unimpeachable.Hewasbishopforthirty-sixyears,anddiedfullofhonours;but after he had been in his grave a hundred and twenty-five years, the church had become so corrupted by heathenism that it condemned him for heresy He was anathematizedforNestorianism,buthisUniversalismwasnotstigmatized.

III DiodoreofTarsus(c.330-390)

DiodoreofTarsus(ca.330-390)wasaChristianbishop,amonasticreformer, andatheologian.AstrongsupporteroftheorthodoxyofNicaea,Diodoreplayed apivotalroleintheCouncilofConstantinopleandopposedtheanti-ChristianpoliciesofJuliantheApostate.Diodorefoundedoneofthemostinfluentialcentres ofChristianthoughtintheearlychurch,andmanyofhisstudentsbecomenotabletheologiansintheirownright.LikemanyearlyChurchFathers,Diodorewas aChristianUniversalist.

1. Earlylife

Diodore was born in the first quarter of the 4th century in Antioch or Tarsus (Cilicia)ofadistinguishedfamily Hereceivedaclassicphilosophicaleducation attheschoolofAthensunderthePaganrhetorLibanius,andbecomealeaderin theschoolofAntioch.Duringthisperiod,Diodore'sworkfocusedonphilosophicaltreatisesandopposingEmperorJulian'sattemptstorestorepaganisminthe empire.WhenanAriannamedLeontiuswas madebishopofAntioch,Diodore and his friend Flavian (who later was himself appointed as bishop ofAntioch) organizedthosewhofollowedtheNiceneorthodoxyoutsidethewallsofthecity for worship. During his timeatthemonasteryinAntioch,Diodorecameunder thetutelageofMeletius,atheologianopposedtotheAriantendenciesoftheera andastrongsupportoftheNicenefactionsofthechurch.In360,thechurchin Antiochsplitintofactions,havingtwoNiceneandtwoArianbishops.Meletius was one of the Nicene bishops ofAntioch in 360, and it was he that ordained Diodore as a priest. Diodore, in turn, was a strong supporter not only of the 30 NicenecausebutofMeletius.

2. Priesthood

During his priesthood, Diodore founded a monastery and catechetical school nearthecityofAntioch.ItwasthroughthisschoolthatDiodorebecamethementorofthecontroversialtheologianandliturgistTheodoreofMopsuestia,butalso of the legendary homileticist John Chrysostom.This school would give rise to theuniqueAntiocheneperspectivesonbothbiblicalinterpretationandChristologyknownastheAntiocheneSchool.Ultimately,takentotheextreme,theperspective set out for this school by Diodore led to the teachings of Nestorius, whichwerefirstcondemnedattheCouncilofEphesusin431.Itwashisroleas theheadoftheAntiocheneSchoolwhichledtoDiodore'sexilein372.Banished toArmenia by EmperorValens, Diodore encountered a fellow supporter of the Nicenefaction,BasilofCaesarea,duringhisexile.WhenDiodorereturnedfrom exilefollowingthedeathoftheemperorin378,Basilwasservingasthepatriarch 31 ofCaesarea,andheappointedDiodoreasthebishopofTarsus.

3. Episcopate

As bishop of the see of Tarsus, Diodore continued to speak out for the Nicene

understandingoftherelationshipbetweenthehumanandthedivineintheperson ofJesusChrist.HeactivelyopposedboththeArianismandtheApollinarianism of his day (Arius taught that Jesus Christ was not fully divine, Apollinaris of Laodiceathathewasnotfullyhuman).Diodoreplayedkeyrolesinboththelocal CouncilofAntiochin379andtheecumenicalCouncilofConstantinoplein381. When their mentor Meletius died in 381, Diodore recommended his friend Flavianashissuccessor,thusprolongingthedivisionintheAntiochenechurch. Hewasteacheroftwooftheoutstandingleaders-TheodoreofMopsuestiaand John Chrysostom. The date of Diodore's death is to be placed before 392-394. The Christology of Diodore was condemned as Nestorian at the local synod in 32 Constantinople in 499. Diodore was seen as someone who supported the orthodoxyofNicaea,andinhisofficialdecreeratifyingtheactionsoftheFirst Council of Constantinople, Emperor Theodosius I described Diodore as a 33 "championofthefaith."

4. Writings

Asaresultofdocumentscondemnationin499onlyafewfragmentsofhiswritingshavesurvivedinNestoriananthologies.Photiusjudgementthatdocuments was learned and scholar is confirmed by the lengthy ancient lists of his works. Namedthereare:A)dogmaticandPolemical-Apologeticworksagainstpagans, Jews and heretics (Arius, Manichees, against photinus, Malchio, Sabellius, MarcellusofAncyra).B)CommentariesonallthebooksoftheOT,theGospels, Romans and I John. The work Tis diaphora theorias allegories evidently dealt with hermeneutical questions. C) Of documents cosmological – astronomical and chronological writings, the treatise is a reference to stoic and peripatetic thought.ThetitleKataAristotelousperiSomatosouraniouatteststodocuments 34 debatewithAristotle.

5. Theology

Hetakeshispositionindogma,againsttheArian,againstwhomhestressesthe full divinity of Christ, against theApollinarists against whom he emphasis the fullhumanityofChrist.ChristisalsosonofDavid;Maryisalso'Anthropotokos'. TheresultisastrictseparationofthetwonatureofChrist.Hestartedthefounder oftheAntiocheneSchoolofexegesisagainstAlexandrianallegoricalinterpretation,hetaughtaliteral-historicalunderstandingoftheBibletext.Hewantedto interpretthe incarnationas no more than a supreme instanceof inspirationand 35 grace. Theresurrection,therefore,isregardedasablessingnotonlytothegood, butalsototheevil.DiodorebelievedthatGod'smercywouldpunishthewicked lessthantheirsinsdeserved,inasmuchashismercygavethegoodmorethanthey deserved and he denied that God would bestow immortality for the purpose of prolongingorperpetuatingsuffering.InDiodore'sviewthisepithetwasonlytol36 erabletheologyifonealsoaddedthatMarywas“motherofman”.

Conclusion

Diodore emphasized the humanity of Christ, tending to make the incarnation nothingmorethanasupremeinstanceofinspirationandgrace.CyrilofAlexandriatriedtohavehiswritingscondemned,buttheofficialcondemnationdidnot comeuntil499.DiodorecourageouslydefendedChrist'sdivinityagainstJulian theApostate,theRomanemperorwhoattemptedtorevivepaganism,andinhis lifetimewasregardedasapillaroforthodoxy

IV.CyrilofAlexandria(c.378-444)

SaintCyrilofAlexandria(ca.378-ca.444)wasthePopeofAlexandriawhenthe city was at its height in influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wroteextensivelyandwasaleadingprotagonistintheChristologicalcontroversiesofthe4thand5thcenturies.HewasacentralfigureintheFirstCouncilof Ephesus in 431. Cyril is among the patristic fathers, and the Doctors of the Church, and his reputation within the Christian world has resulted in his titles "PillarofFaith"and"SealofalltheFathers".

1. Earlylife

St.CyrilofAlexandriawasbornatAlexandriaabout378.Hewasnephewofthe patriarchofthatcity,Theophilus.Cyrilreceivedaclassicalandtheologicaleducation at Alexandria and was ordained by his uncle, Theophilus. Of the early careerofCyrilweknewforcertainonlythatin403heaccompaniedTheophilus toConstantinopletothe"SynodoftheOak”atwhichSt.JohnChrysostomwas deposed.HesucceededTheophilusasbishopofAlexandriaonTheophilus'death in412.CyrilthenbecamespokemaninthecontroversywithNestorius,bishopof Constantinoplesince428.Nestoriusintervenedinanargumentabouttheproper rendition of Mary's position in relation to Christ by renouncing both the terms "mother of man" and "mother of God"(Theotokos) as improper, suggesting "motherofChrist(Christotokos)"instead.CyrilhadsendtwolettertoNestorius fortheexplanations.

Cyril and the Alexandrian party crossed swords with those of the Antiochean party in the imperial home court. Finally, Emperor Theodosius II convoked a counciltoEphesustosolvethedispute.EphesuswasfriendlytoCyril,andafter theCouncilof431,Nestoriusbeingremovedfromofficeandsentintoexile.Duringtherestofhislife,CyrilwrotetreatisesthatclarifiedthedoctrinesoftheTrinity and the Incarnation and that helped prevent Nestorianism and Pelagianism fromChristiancommunity Hediedonthe9thorthe27thofJune,444,afteran episcopateofnearlythirty-twoyears,butthecontroversiesweretocontinuefor decades,fromtheRobberCouncilofEphesusin449totheCouncilofChalcedon 37 in451andbeyond. HisfeastdayisJune27th.

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2. Hiswritings

Cyrilwasamanofgreatcourageandforceofcharacter Hewasascholarlyarchbishopandaprolificwriter HewasthemostbrillianttheologianoftheAlexandriantradition.Hiswritingsarecharacterizedbyaccuratethinking,preciseexposition,andgreatreasoningskills.AmonghiswritingsarecommentariesonJohn, Luke,andthePentateuch,treatisesondogmatictheology,andApologiaagainst JuliantheApostate,andlettersandsermons.38Hewasdeclaredadoctorofthe ChurchbyPopeLeoXIIIin1882.

HewasthesupporterofAlexandrianallegoricalexegesis.Hisexegesishasbeen describedas“Christo-centric”.Hisworkispractical-religiousexhortations.His explanationsofscripturehaveforitspurposetodefendtheorthodoxfaith.Inthe early years of his active life in the Church he wrote several exegeses.Among thesewere:CommentariesontheOldTestament,Thesaurus,Discourseagainst Arians,CommentaryonSt.John'sGospel,andDialoguesontheTrinity In429 as the Christological controversies increased, his output of writings was that whichhisopponentscouldnotmatch.39

TheexegeticalworksofSt.Cyrilareverynumerous.Theseventeenbooks"On AdorationinSpiritandinTruth"(between412-429)inwhichindialoguefrom CyrildiscussestherelationshipofChristianitytotheLaw TheGlaphyraor"brilliant",CommentariesonPentateuchareofthesamenature.Longexplanationsof IsaiahandoftheMinorProphetsgiveamysticalinterpretationaftertheAlexandrian manner.The two treatises written in 423 by this he refuted the Nestorian teaching and accepted the Athanasian teaching. Only fragments are extant of otherworksontheOld Testament;Kings,Psalms,CanticleofCanticles,Proverbs,Jeremiah,EzekielandDaniel40aswellasofexpositionsofMatthew,Luke, andsomeoftheEpistles,butofthatofSt.LukemuchispreservedinaSyriacversion. Of Cyril's 156 homilies on Luke, only 3 have come to us directly In this homilies on Luke are primarily pastoral instructions but also contain attack on the teaching of Nestorius. He wrote a Commentary on John in between 425428.41

TheearliestofCyril'sdogmaticandpolematicworksweredirectedagainstthe Arians.TheseriesofAnti-Nestorianpolemicsbeganwiththefivebooksagainst Nestoriuscomposedinearly430.Intheexplanationof12anathematismscomposedduringhisimprisonmentinEphesusin431,heendeavouredtoprovetheir accordancewithscripture.OfSt.Cyril'ssermonsandlettersthemostinteresting are those which concern the Nestorian controversy The main apologetic work dedicated toTheodosius II “In Defence of the Holy Christian Religion against the Books of the Godless Julian” was written in 435. The treatise “Contra DiodorumatTheodorum”composedin438;thelastworkagainsttheNestorian Christologicalerroristhedialogue“QuodunussitChristus”.AmonghistheologicaltreatiseswehavetwolargeworksandonesmalloneontheHolyTrinity,and anumberoftreatisesandtractsbelongingtotheNestoriancontroversy Agood numberofhomilieshavecomedownunderCyril'sname.The4thhomily,which regardedasthemostfamoussermonsonMaryfromantiquity 29suchwritings havecomedowntousfrom414-442.Wehave100lettersfromCyril'scorrespondence.42

3. Christology

Hisearlywritingsdonotformulatehistheologicalteachingbysimplyfollowing Athanasius.43Cyril'sreputationrestsuponhisteachingaboutthepersonandsavingworkofChrist.ChristisforhimtheeternalsonandWordofGod,whohas undertaken, without loss of his identity He is God and man at once, united as bodyandsoulareunitedwithoutcoalescence.Cyrilregardedtheembodimentof GodinthepersonofJesusChristtobesomysticallypowerfulthatitspreadout from the body of the God-man into the rest of the race, to reconstitute human natureintoagracedanddeifiedconditionofthesaints,onethatpromisedimmortalityandtransfigurationtobelievers.

Nestoriuswantedtomaintainacleardistinctionbetweenthedivineandhuman naturesinChrist,whileCyrilarguedthatthedivineandhumanhadbeenunitedt intoonenatureinChrist.Cyril'sconstantstresswasonthesimpleideathatitwas GodwhowalkedthestreetsofNazareth(henceMarywasTheotokos-Motherof God),andGodwhohadappearedinatransfiguredhumanity.44Cyrilsaysthat “The selfsame Jesus Christ exist first as begotten before all words from the father,andasamanisbornofthevirgin:onthisaccounttheFathersarecalled Mary asTheotokos”45.Nestorius spoke of the distinct 'Jesus the man' and 'the divineLogos'46inwaysthatCyrilthoughtweretoodichotomous,wideningthe ontologicalgapbetweenmanandGodinawaythatwouldannihilatetheperson ofChrist.ThesecondletterofCyriltoNestorius,sentearlyin430isoneofthe mostimportantChristologicaldocumentsoftheearlychurch.47

The principal fame of St. Cyril rests upon his defence of Catholic doctrine against Nestorius. That heretic was undoubtedly confused and uncertain. He wished,againstApollinarius,toteachthatChristwasaperfectman,andhetook thedenialofahumanpersonalityinOurLord.Theunionofthehumanandthe DivinenatureswasthereforetoNestoriusanunspeakablyclosejunction,butnot aunioninonehypostasis.St.CyriltaughtthepersonalthattheoneChristhastwo perfect and distinct natures, Divine and human. But he would not admit two physeis in Christ, because he took physis to imply not merely a nature but a subsistent(i.e.personal)nature.CyrilneverdeniestherealandcompletehumanityofChrist;buthedoesinsistthatthereallyexistinghumanityinChrist.Hesays

about“theoneincarnatenatureofthelogos”.

HisopponentsmisrepresentedhimasteachingthattheDivinepersonsuffered,in His human nature; and he was constantly accused ofApollinarianism. On the otherhand,afterhisdeathMonophysitismwasfoundeduponamisinterpretation ofhisteaching.Hebringsoutadmirablythenecessityofthefulldoctrineofthe humanitytoGod,toexplaintheschemeoftheredemptionofman.Hearguesthat the flesh of Christ is truly the flesh of God, in that it is life-giving in the Holy 49Eucharist. IntherichnessanddepthofhisphilosophicalanddevotionaltreatmentoftheIncarnationwerecognizethediscipleofAthanasius.

Conclusion

His writings and his theology have remained central to tradition of the Fathers andtoallOrthodoxtothisday LateronhehasveneratedintheChurch.Hisletters, especially the second letter to Nestorius, were not only approved by the CouncilofEphesus,butbymanysubsequentcouncils,andhavefrequentlybeen appealedtoastestsoforthodoxy IntheEasthewasalwayshonouredasoneof thegreatestoftheDoctors.

REFERENCES

1. PakenhamWalsh,LightsandShadesofChristendom,Vol.1(Mysore:Wesleypublications,1955), p.164.

2. Ibid.170

3. StuartGHall,DoctrineandPracticein theEarlyChurch(Michigan,EerdmansPublishingCompany,1992,),p.187.

4. Ibid,p.187.

5. W.H.C.Frend, The Rise of Christianity (Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1984), pp.74950.

6. PakenhamWalsh,LightsandShadesofChristendom,p.172.

7. Ibid,p.173.

8. Ibid,p.175

9. Ibid,p.177

10. New Catholic Encyclopaedia, Vol. VII, (Washington DC, Catholic University of America,1967),p.1044

11. PhilipSchaff,NiceneandPostNiceneFathers,Vol.X(Michigan,Eerdman'spublishing,1991).

12. JosephDeferrari,TheFathersoftheChurch,(NewYork,FathersoftheChurchINC, 1960); Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Vol.XIV, pp.1-334.(some themes from the Homilies on John cited in the book: ref. Geoffery.W.Bromiley, Historical Theology –AnIntroduction(Michigan,EerdmansPublishingCompany,1978),pp.96-101).

13. NiceneandPostNiceneFathers,Vol.XI,(1989),pp.1-331.

14. Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Vol.XII (1989), XIII (1994), pp.473-514, XIV (1989),pp.335-525.

15. F.LCross,TheOxfordDictionaryoftheChristianChurch(London,OxfordUniversityPress,1961),p.283.

16. NewCatholicEncyclopaedia,Vol.VII,p.1044

17. Ibid,p.1044

18. Ibid,p.1044;TheNewEncyclopaediaofBritannica,Vol.3(Chicago,Encyclopaedia ofBritannicaINC,1994),p.292.

19. P.A.Sullivan, “Theodore of Mopsuestia” in New Catholic Encyclopaedia,Vol.XIV, p.18.

20. HenryChadwick,TheEarlyChurch,(Britain:penguinbooks,1978),p.193.

21. P.A.Sullivan,“Mopsuestia”inNewCatholicEncyclopaedia,Vol.IX,p.1106.

22. P.A.Sullivan, “Theodore of Mopsuestia” in New Catholic Encyclopaedia,Vol.XIV, p.18.

23. Ibid,p.18.

24. Ibid,p.18

25. J.J Douglas, Who's Who in Christian History (Illinois, Tyndale House Publishing, 1992),p.667.

26. P.A.Sullivan, “Theodore of Mopsuestia” in New Catholic Encyclopaedia,Vol.XIV, p.18

27. W.P Hares,AHistoryoftheChristianChurch(Mysore,CLS,1952),p.175.

28. HenryChadwick,TheEarlyChurch,p.193.

29. Paul Tillich, A History of Christian Thought, ed. by Carl E. Braaten (New York, Harper&RowPublishers,1968),p.83.

30. MathewO'Connell,DictionaryofEarlyChristianLiterature(NewYork,CrossPublishingCompany,1981),pp.174-75.

31. Ibid.

32. Ibid.175

33. RowanAGreer,"DiodoreofTarsus,"inTheEncyclopaediaofEarlyChristianity,ed. EverettFerguson,secondedition(NewYork:GarlandPublishing,1997),p.385.

34. Ibid,p.175.

35. HenryChadwick,TheEarlyChurch,p.194.

36. Ibid,p.192.

37. Everest Ferguson, “Cyril of Alexandria” in Encyclopaedia of Early Christianity, p.249.

38. J.DavidCassel,“CyrilofAlexandria”inthe'EncyclopaediaofChristianity'(MichiganEerdmans, 1999).P.767.

39. MathewO'Connell,DictionaryofEarlyChristianLiterature,p.156.

40. W.J.Burghardt,“CyrilofAlexandria”inNewCatholicEncyclopaedia,Vol.IV,p.574.

41. MathewO'Connell,DictionaryofEarlyChristianLiterature,pp.154.

42. Ibid,pp.154-155.

43. W.H.C.Frend,TheRiseofChristianity,p.753.

44. PaulTillich,AHistoryofChristianThought,ed.byCarlE.Braaten,p.85.

45. StuartGHall,DoctrineandPracticeintheEarlyChurch,p.215

46. PaulTillich,AHistoryofChristianThought,p.85.

47. Detailed description in Stuart G Hall, Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church, p.214-216.

48. MathewO'Connell,DictionaryofEarlyChristianLiterature,p.156.

49. W.H.C.Frend,TheRiseofChristianity,p.757

50. Bromiley,Geoffery,W HistoricalTheology–AnIntroduction.Michigan:Eerdmans PublishingCompany,1978.

51. Cassel,DavidJ.“CyrilofAlexandria”inthe'EncyclopaediaofChristianity'.Michi-

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52. Chadwick,Henry TheEarlyChurch.Britain:penguinbooks,1978.

53. Cross,F.L.TheOxfordDictionaryoftheChristianChurch.London:OxfordUniversityPress,1961.

54. Deferrari,Joseph.TheFathersoftheChurch,NewYork:FathersoftheChurchINC, 1960.

55. Douglas, J.J. Who'sWhoin Christian History Illinois:Tyndale House Publishing, 1992.

56. Ferguson, Everest. “Cyril of Alexandria” in Encyclopaedia of Early Christianity NewYork:Garland Publishing,1997.

57. Frend,W.H.C.TheRiseofChristianity Philadelphia:FortressPress,1984.

58. Hall,Stuart,G.DoctrineandPracticeintheEarlyChurch.Michigan:EerdmansPublishing Company,1992.

59. Hares,W.PAHistoryoftheChristianChurch.Mysore:CLS,1952.

60. NewEncyclopaediaofBritannica,Vol.3.Chicago:EncyclopaediaofBritannicaINC, 1994.

61. O'Connell,Mathew DictionaryofEarlyChristianLiterature.NewYork:CrossPublishingCompany,1981.

62. Schaff, Philip. Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Vol.X, XI, XII, XIV, Michigan: Eerdman'spublishing,1991.

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