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== Origins of Nestorianism ==
Nestorian ideas were first developed in the writings of [[Diodore of Tarsus]] against the [[heresy]] of [[AppolinariusApollinarius]]. In refuting [[AppolinarianismApollinarianism]], Diodore wrote that at the time of the Incarnation and after the Incarnation, the Divine and human natures of Jesus Christ were divided to such an extent that there was complete independence of natures and no union whatsoever.
These ideas were further developed by [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]] (3??-429), a scholar in the Antochian tradition. Theodore taught that the human and Divine natures of Christ were so completely separate that there was only contact between them, but no union of any kind. In developing his ideas, Theodore wrote that the Man Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary completely naturally and with all faults of men, and that God the Logos (Word), having foreknown the Man's triumph over sin, chose to redeem the human race through Him by becoming united with Him by Grace from the time of His conception. Because of His triumph over sin, the Man Jesus was made worthy of being called Son of God at the time of the Theophany. Then, after His complete triumph over sin during His passion, He was united even more closely with the Divine Logos, becoming God's tool for the salvation of mankind.
The Ephesian Council was not, however, accepted by some in Syria. Among those who agreed with the Orthodox teaching but rejected the Council was Theodoret of Cyrrhus. Thus, a strong Nestorian party arose in the Syrian and Mesopotamian churches. After agreeing to a common confession with St Cyril of Alexandria, John of Antioch began working on eradicating Nestorianism in the Eastern churches. What could not be accomplished by conviction was done with the help of the civil authorities, who imprisoned several Nestorian bishops.
John of Antioch ordred the destruction of the Edessa theological school, which spread Nestorian ideas. [[Ibo of Edessa]] and other theologians who accused St Cyril of unorthodoxy were exiled. At the same time, St Cyril wrote a refutation of Theodore of Mopsuestia. However, this refutation, too, was not accepted by all. Theodoret defended Theodore of Mopsuestia. Meanwhile, Ibo became bishop of Edessa, and spread Nestorian ideas. In his famous letter to Marius the Persian, Ivo of Edessa condemned Nestorius for refusing to use the term ''[[Theotokos]]'' but also condemned St Cyril for preaching [[AppolinarianismApollinarianism]]. In 489, the Edessa school was again destroyed, and Nestorian theologians fled to Persia were they finally broke with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. In 499, at a council in Seleucia, the [[Third Ecumenical Council]] was condemned and the Nestorians formally split from the Church. They formed the Chaldean or [[Assyrian Church of the East|Assyrian Church]], which governs itself with its own Patriarch. Nestorians also have a community in India, called the [[Thomites]].
== Nestorianism and the Fifth Ecumenical Council ==