The first lasting schism in Christendom was that between Monophysite and orthodox Christianity. This well-established, integrated study examines the social historical background to this significant two hundred year period from the council of Ephesus in 431 to the expulsion of the Byzantines from the Monophysite provinces. Contemporary critics’ views that Monophysitism can be considered as a ‘quarrel about words’ or as a symbol of the separatist movements in Syria, Egypt and Armenia are viewed as limiting in this authoritative survey, which moves beyond such criticisms. Frend asserts that regional identity does not have to imply separatism and examines this claim in detail. The work does not limit its scope to the history of the Christian doctrine either. The issues raised by the councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon affected all areas of life beyond the political sphere in the east Roman provinces in the fifth and sixth centuries. Through this study, the reader can uncover how religion was the medium through which the harmony between government and the governed was mediated in this period. Through nine extensive chapters – from The Road to Chalcedon, 428-451 through to Syria, A Long Farewell – Frend provides an examination of the doctrinal issues relating to the Early Church, which are essential to a deeper understanding of the history of the fifth and sixth centuries.

This book is the fruit of years of interdenominational Christian dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Family of Churches and both the Eastern Orthodox Family of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church. The main obstacle preventing unification of these three most traditional groups of Churches is still agreeing upon their beliefs in the nature of Christ. The first schism in the Church occurred in 451 A.D. as a result of the Council of Chalcedon when afterwards Christians were divided into either Chalcedonian or non-Chalcedonian. The Oriental Orthodox Family of Churches (i.e. Coptic, Syrian, Armenian, Indian, Ethiopian, and Eritrean) are non-Chalcedonian whereas the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic are Chalcedonian. This book goes into great depth based on Biblical, historical and Patristic evidence as to why the non-Chalcedonians, i.e. Miaphysites, refused the Council of Chalcedon of 451 A.D. from the Oriental Orthodox perspective. It is comprised of six parts: I) Nestorianism; II) Eutychianism; III) Important Christological principles related to this Council; IV) History of the Council and other subsequent Chalcedonian Councils; V) Arguments against this Council; and VI) Anathemas pronounced and condemnations against those who accepted the Council of Chalcedon and/or the Tome of Leo. May God the Logos Incarnate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ about Whom this research is concerned bless this work and make it a fruitful contribution beneficial in healing the divisions and leading to the unity of the Church on the basis of the identity of the authentic Apostolic Orthodox faith entrusted to us as expressed, confirmed and followed by the Fathers of the First Three Ecumenical Church Councils.

The Council of Ephesus was a council of Christian bishops convened in Ephesus (near present-day Selçuk in Turkey) in AD 431 by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II. This third ecumenical council, an effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom, confirmed the original Nicene Creed, and condemned the teachings of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who held that the Virgin Mary may be called the Christotokos, "Birth Giver of Christ" but not the Theotokos, "Birth Giver of God". It met in June and July 431 at the Church of Mary in Ephesus in Anatolia.