Event · 431

Council of Ephesus

The third ecumenical council, called by Emperor Theodosius II at Ephesus in 431 over the teaching of Nestorius.

Led by Cyril of Alexandria, it deposed Nestorius and affirmed that Mary may be called Theotokos, “God-bearer”. Bishops from Antioch who arrived late held a rival meeting, and the two sides were reconciled in 433. The church in Persia did not accept the council, and the Church of the East dates its separate path from this point.