- Such an act denoted the complete disregard of the
Chalcedonians for the decrees of the third ecumenical
council. As soon as Theodoret appeared, the Egyptians
protested loudly, and were loudly responded to. A tumult
arose. Regrettably, the civil judges had to remind the
bishops that their behaviour was not in accordance with
the Christian spirit; and that they should speak quietly
and soberly. - When the tumult subsided, Abba Dioscorus asked
that the minutes of the second council of Ephesus be read.
Afte rthe first part was read the Alexandrian Patriarch
turned to the moderators of the council and said: “You
can see from these minutes that Emperor Theodosius, of
blessed memory, is the one at whose request the past
council was convoked. You can also see that it was the
Emperor who had entrusted the direction of that council
to Bishops Juveral of Jerusalem, Domnus of Antioch and
myself. The three of us, together with all those who were
assembled there, passed the judgment, after each
expressed his opinion freely. Unanimously we all agreed
to the verdict of acquitting Eutyches, and then each put
his signature to it.”^44
Here, the Oriental bishops cried out: “We did not
consent except under coercion; we condemned Flavianus
against our will; we signed a blank paper under the threat
of being beaten by the imperial guards.” - This cry was asserted by the Bishop of Ephesus
who swore to its veracity under oath. Roused by his
behaviour, the Egyptians cried out: “A soldier of Christ
fears no worldly power; light a fire and we will show you
how martyrs can die”. And Abba Dioscorus added
quietly, “It would have been more compatible with a
elle
(Elle)
#1