Dioscorus and Chalcedon

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to inform youth regarding the split between the Coptic Church and the Eastern and Catholic church as a result of Chalcedon through the perspective of Dioscorus

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Two students were assigned a project together
One student felt as if his talents weren't recognized, and began to despise his partner
Instead of cooperating, the student sabotaged his partner
However, since both students couldn't work together, they both received a failing grade
Just as jealousy can cause students to turn against one another and suffer as a consequence, so can jealousy creep up in our service, causing us to lose sight of our purpose to unite together in sanctification in Christ

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:1-11)

**Memory Verse: "**Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" (Pp. 2:6-7)

CONTENT - 20 Minutes

Life of Dioscorus

Dioscorus was the dean of the Theological school and Cyril's secretary
He attended the Council of Ephesus with Cyril as his archdeacon
When Cyril departed in 444, Dioscorus was nominated and consecrated Twenty-Fifth Patriarch of Alexandria
Pope Dioscorus was wary of the Pope of Rome, who was attempting to form an alliance with the Alexandrian Patriarch to gain more power, and acted with caution around him

Accusations against Eutychus, 448

On November 8, 448, Eusebius, bishop of Dorylaeum, accused Eutyches, an aged and respected archimandrite in Constantinople, of heresy against the Son
- Eusebius of Dorylaeum attended Ephesus in 431 and opposed Nestorius
- An archimandrite is the head of a large monastery or group of monasteries
- Eutyches claimed that the Godhead consumed the humanity of Christ, resulting in one nature (the Divine nature)
Eusebius went to Flavian, the bishop of Constantinople, who called for a synod that condemned Eutyches

A Second Council of Ephesus (Robbers Council), 449

Emperor Theodosius II convened a second council at Ephesus in 449 to officially condemn Eutyches
- He asked Bishop Dioscorus of Alexandria to preside over this council
Eutyches tricked Dioscorus into thinking he wasn't a heretic
- Eutyches deceived Dioscorus by presenting false documents to the Council that demonstrated orthodox viewpoints
Relying on these false documents, the Council said that Eutyches was innocent of heresy and condemned his accusers
- One of the people condemned as a result of Eutyches' trick was Flavian, the Patriarch of Constantinople
- Flavian died shortly after, which provided an opportunity for Dioscorus' enemies to claim that he was involved in the patriarch's death

Aftermath of the Council of Ephesus 449

Pope Leo was very upset because his Tome was not read at the second council at Ephesus in 449 and called the council a "meeting of robbers"
- The Tome of Leo was his expression of the faith, which said Christ has two natures
- Pope Dioscorus actually suggested along with the Roman legates that the Tome be read at the Second Council of Ephesus
Despite Dioscorus' position, Pope Leo was very upset with Dioscorus and blamed him
- Furthermore, Leo was upset because Theodosius chose Dioscorus instead of him to lead the Council of Ephesus in 449
As mentioned prior, Flavian died after that Council, which resulted in rumors that Dioscorus was violent
These rumors were proven false for the following reasons:
- Dioscorus did not call this council and therefore had no personal benefit
- Dioscorus was not given a higher title than anyone else at the Council
- Decisions in the council were done votes
- The Council had been described by the Emperor's family as being "controlled by the fear of God"
- Dioscorus never said anything negative about the Pope of Rome

Council of Chalcedon, 451

The Council of Chalcedon was not called to condemn Eutyches, but to condemn Dioscorus
Dioscorus was not condemned because of theological heresy but due to political circumstances which played the principal role in this council
- Dioscorus was very Orthodox in his understanding and approach
The Tome of Leo was used to invent a new formula for the unity of Christ, with which the church disagrees
- Dioscorus emphasized what Cyril of Alexandria taught before, that Christ has one unique nature, which is one nature out of two
Leo was victorious in his scheme and exiled Dioscorus, resulting in a schism (split) in the Church (see below)

Theological Implication of Chalcedon

The Coptic Church along with the Oriental Churches maintained that Christ had one unique nature: one nature out of two, humanity united with divinity without mixing or mingling (miaphysite)
- The oriental churches include the Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Malankara, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Orthodox churches
The Eastern church supposed this formula to be too similar to Eutychus' heresy, which stated that the one nature of Christ was due to the divinity consuming the humanity (monophysite)
The Eastern maintained that Christ had two natures
- The Eastern Orthodox include the Greek, Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian, and other variations of these Orthodox churches
- The Roman Catholic church maintained the Eastern position and accepted the Council of Chalcedon, but split from the Eastern Church in 1054

Aftermath of Chalcedon

Dioscorus was exiled to Gangra after the Council
After the events of Chalcedon, the Coptic Church and those who rejected Chalcedon were split apart from those who accepted Chalcedon (Greek and Roman, etc.)
- In relation to these two, the Copts and those who reject Chalcedon would either be called Oriental Orthodox or anti-chalcedonian

Consecration of Chalcedonian Patriarch Proterius

Immediately after Chalcedon, but three years before Dioscorus' death, the archpriest Proterius, who embraced Chalcedon, was elected Patriarch by four other Egyptian Chalcedonian priests
- The Copts rejected this since (1) Dioscorus, their current patriarch, was still living and (2) Proterius embraced Chalcedon, which the Copts rejected
Proterius was seen as a traitor to his country, and often sided with Rome in decisions regarding the faith
The Copts still depended on the banished Dioscorus for leadership and guidance during this turbulent time
- From this period onward, there would be two patriarchs in Egypt: an Imperial, Chalcedonian Patriarch appointed by the government and a Coptic, non-chalcedonian Patriarch
- This is a concept introduced during the life of Athnasius, when the government imposed both Gregory the Cappadocian and later George the Cappodocian during both the rightful patriarch's second and third exiles
- We do not recognize the Imperial Patriarchs, but only recognize the Coptic Patriarch
- The Imperial or Byzantine Patriarchs are recognized as Greek Patriarchs of Alexandria
Dioscorus departed in 454

DISCUSSION (Challenge) -10 Minutes

Why is it so important for brothers and sisters in the church to practice humility?
How can jealousy get in the way of communion with the other members of the Church?
How important was it that the Coptic church stood behind her leader despite his deposition and exile to the desert?

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

Pride causes division, whereas humility unites

Christ humbled Himself and became man, and was obedient even unto death so that He may restore mankind who has lived in disobedience towards God
Through His humility, Jesus united man with God and allowed us to be partakers in the divine nature through the gift of the Holy Spirit

The jealous heart cultivates hatred against God and man, whereas the lowly heart desires to lift up all persons

To consider one example from Scripture, jealousy caused Joseph's brothers to cast him into a pit while Joseph's humility caused overwhelming tears of loving kindness as he forgave and exalted them to live in the land of Egypt as his honored family
In today's lesson, we saw that personal ambitions got in the way of service and led to a big division among the churches that is still sorely felt today

The Coptic church trusted her leader, who was exiled as a result of a remarkable defense of the formula passed down from the much beloved Cyril of Alexandria

The congregation demonstrated respect and love by trusting and listening to her teachers, who passed down the Apostolic faith given by Christ in order to preserve the accurate understanding of Christ

SERVANT RESOURCES

Ishak, Fr. Shenouda Maher. Christology and the Council of Chalcedon. Outskirts Press, 2013.
Malaty, Fr. Tadros Yacoub. A Panoramic view of Patristics in the First Six Centuries. St. George's Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, 2005.
Samuel, Fr. V. C. The Council of Chalcedon Re-Examined. British Orthodox Press, 2001.

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Provide an example and opportunity for your child to practice lifting others up
- Consider inviting over a needy family and having your child help prepare food and serve them
Take the time to look for examples of humility throughout Scripture while reading with your child
Remind your child to consider the needs and concerns of others when an argument, dispute, disagreement, or quarrel breaks out in order to lead them to a peaceful and amicable resolution