Message to one of Nestorius's zealous defenders

In his “Message to one of Nestorius’s zealous defenders” (probably late 430 - early 431), St. Cyril of Alexandria speaks of the impossibility of silence in matters of faith. He points out the general confusion in the Church caused by the new teaching, and recalls the pastoral responsibility before God for the purity of the faith. The saint admits that personal insults and slander are insignificant for him compared to the threat of distortion of the faith. He wishes Nestorius to be corrected and cleared of suspicion, but he firmly states that in case of danger to the truth, even death is preferable to compromise. The message contains a call for fidelity to the dogmas of the Church and readiness to defend them in the face of any trials. I know the sincerity of your love, I understand your zeal. If I were writing to a person who does not know my life, then I would have to say a lot to assure him that I am a peace-loving person, disinclined to quarrels and disputes, but one who wants to love everyone and deserve the love of everyone. But as I write to someone who knows me, I will say in a few words that if I needed to satisfy my brother’s sadness about the loss of property or money, I would do this with great pleasure, so that he would not think that I value anything more than love. But since it is a matter of faith and all the churches that exist in the Roman Empire are confused (because from whatever city, from whatever village anyone comes, everyone asks: what is this general talk? What kind of new teaching is spreading through the churches?): then what remains for us to do, to whom God has entrusted the teaching about the sacraments of faith? us, from whom, on the day of general judgment, we will be required to answer for those entrusted to our leadership? They will say that they have kept the faith as they were taught by us. Therefore, if we conveyed the right teaching to them, we will receive a reward, we will receive praise; and if it is different and perverse, then what kind of flame will be enough for our punishment? We will then hear these words spoken in Scripture: “You have destroyed My land, and you have beaten My people” (Is. 14:20). There the layman will give an account only for his life; we, who are entrusted with the ministry of the priesthood, will have to give an account not only for ourselves, but also for all those who believe in Christ. I do not consider grief, insults, slander important to me, no matter how much some unreasonable people want to do them to me; all this must be forgotten, God will judge them for their idle talk; it is only necessary that faith remain sound. Friendship and love are constant feelings in me; and I will not yield to anyone in love for the most God-loving Bishop Nestorius: I wish for Christ - as I say this before God - that he would retain his good opinion, make amends for the censure that he brought upon himself by his previous actions, and prove that the new opinions spread by some in the faith are attributed to him by slander, and that there is no truth in those rumors. If Christ commanded us to love those who hate us, then shouldn’t this be done more in relation to those who are our brothers and fellow priests? If some want to damage the faith, we will not be traitors to our souls; and even if it were necessary to undergo death itself, indecision is inappropriate. If we are afraid to tell the truth in defense of the glory of God, so as not to expose ourselves to troubles, then with what face will we glorify the exploits of the holy martyrs before the people? How can we praise them for fulfilling the word of Scripture: “Strive for the truth even unto death” (Sir. 4:32)? You might be interested in: