Message to the monks of Constantinople

In the “Message to the Monks of Constantinople” (presumably 430-431), St. Cyril of Alexandria, together with the Council gathered in Alexandria, addresses the monks of Constantinople, expressing approval of their zeal for Christ and rejection of false teachings. The main purpose of the letter is to confirm the conciliar condemnation of Nestorius and strengthen the Orthodox in the faith. St. Cyril highly appreciates the monks’ loyalty to Christ, especially in conditions when Nestorius preached teachings that were offensive to the glory of the Savior. The saint explains that the Church tolerated the errors of Nestorius for a long time, waiting for his repentance, but he only aggravated his mistakes by introducing ideas alien to the Church. The author of the letter refers to a joint decree with Pope Celestine: if Nestorius does not renounce his views and does not profess the Orthodox faith in writing, he will be excommunicated from the Church. St. Cyril calls on the monks to maintain the purity of faith, strive for the glory of Christ and avoid temptations in order to receive future heavenly rewards. To the most reverent and most God-loving fathers of the monasteries residing in Constantinople, Cyril and the holy council gathered in Alexandria wish every good thing for the Lord. We know well the zeal for Christ, which increased piety when He was reviled and, moreover, in the Orthodox Church. And we greatly approve of your devotion to Christ and love of His name. We ourselves are constantly in tears and pray to the Savior of all, Christ, that He will now tear apart the snares of the devil, that He will abolish the temptation in the churches and stop the slander against His glory. But because He is long-suffering, He gave the most reverent Bishop Nestorius a lot of time to repent. For everyone was silent for him for so long and everyone prayed and waited for him to give up the wicked idle talk, accept with us sound and correct wisdom, in accordance with the inspired Scriptures, and decisively assimilate for himself the faith that was originally betrayed to the churches by the holy apostles and evangelists, who were the true builders of the mysteries of Christ and received the command to minister His gospel throughout the whole world. under heaven. And since (Nestorius) remains with the same way of thinking and, perhaps, has reached even worse levels (for he constantly adds blasphemy to blasphemy and preaches a completely strange and alien teaching, which the holy Catholic Church does not know at all): then we have already pronounced a sentence on him in the third letter - the one that was sent from us and from our most holy and pious brother and fellow servant Celestine, bishop of the great Rome. Exactly: If he decides to change his way of thinking, and, having mourned his speeches, curses his corrupt teaching in writing, and rightly and unhypocritically confesses the faith of the Catholic Church, then let him remain (in communion with the Church and in his rank), asking for forgiveness and learning what he should. If he does not decide to do this, then he is alienated and excommunicated from the host of bishops and from the teaching dignity. For it is not safe to leave a wolf, terrible for the Savior’s flocks, as a shepherd. So, be courageous, as servants of Christ, and take care of your souls, doing everything for the glory of Christ and so that the right and impeccable faith in Him may be preached everywhere. This will save you from future troubles, will make you worthy of crowns from the divine judgment seat, when Christ, the Savior of us all, will accept everyone to Himself only for love for Him. “Kiss one another with the holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16). All the brothers who are with me greet you. I pray that you, beloved and most desired, may be healthy and strong in the Lord. You might be interested in: