‘Legends of the Blessed Virgin’ by J. Collin de Plancy; 1852; Chapter 3 – ‘THE COUNCIL OF EPHESUS.’; part I; pages 7-9
[Collin de Plancy – XVIII-XIX Century AD; Demonologist – Converted to the Catholic Faith]"THE following is more properly a page from ecclesiastical history than a legend. But we have thought that a rapid sketch of the council held at Ephesus might occupy a most appropriate place in a volume devoted to the relation of the wonders wrought through the intercession of the ever Messed " Mother of God." The council, in confirming this sublime title to the Blessed Virgin, has taught us that we can never conceive too high a notion of the power and majesty of her to whom we fly in our necessities.
In the fifth century, whilst illustrious doctors were contending against Arianism, and all the other little sects which attacked the impregnable rock on which is placed the chair of Peter, there appeared among the defenders of the Church, a man of great merit, powerful in speech, rich in learning, and honoured for the austerity of his life ; he was called Nestorius, and became patriarch of Constantinople. His vanity was excited by the great applause he received. He said in one of his sermons to the young Theodosius,—"Purge the earth of heresies, and I promise you the joys of heaven." It was a bold saying. He combated Arianism, but he replaced the zeal of charity with violence ; he excited the people against the Arians, whom he drove from their assemblies by force, and whose churches he levelled to the ground. Yet he himself entertained all this time an erroneous doctrine.
He admitted that there were two natures in Christ, which acted in concert. " Jesus Christ," said he, " as man, was born of the Blessed Virgin, suffered and died; but Christ, as God, directed the man Jesus, with whom he was joined by a moral union only."
He first obtained the assistance of weak men to preach this doctrine, which he afterwards asserted himself, in the year 428. The people saw at once that he would deprive them of their grand invocation of Mary, as the " Holy Mother of God," and they rose in a mass against this innovation.
But the inflexible stubbornness of Nestorius would not give way. St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote in vain to the faithless patriarch; equally fruitless were the supplications of the faithful and the warnings and exhortations of the guardian of the faith, the holy Pope St. Celestine.
Nestorius heeded no remonstrance, but persecuted his opponents with great warmth. He was cut off from the communion of the Church, but still persisted in his errors.
The contest became so violent, that it was thought necessary to convoke a general council, to condemn the heresy broached by Nestorius. This was done with the concurrence of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, and it was convoked, doubtless, by special design of Al mighty Providence, to meet at Ephesus ; for the blessed Mother of our Saviour had lived in that town, with the beloved disciple, after the ascension of her divine Son. The tradition of this fact was kept with great fidelity by the Ephesians, who were noted for the warmth of their devotion to our blessed Lady. Delighted were they then to learn, that from their city was to proceed the justification of her most sacred character.
On the 7th of June, in the year 431, two hundred and sixty bishops were assembled at Ephesus. Nestorius also arrived with a numerous escort, but was more than ever puffed up with pride and self-conceit. John of Antioch, and other prelates, being on their way to join the council, it was with some regret (the seventh being the feast of Pentecost) put off to the 22nd.
But these prelates being personal friends of Nestorius, and not wishing to assist at his condemnation, had not arrived when the first session was opened on that day. The assembled bishops and doctors of the Church walked in procession to the church at Ephesus, dedicated to God under the special patronage of his holy Mother. In this edifice the council was held.
Image: BARTOLOMEO DELLA GATTA - The Lady of the Assumption Gives St Thomas Her Belt (detail)
This is the only painting as far as I know picturing Holy Virgin Mary with Five Stars instead of Three as with all the other artists.