Epistle written from Ephesus to the monastic abbas

“An Epistle written from Ephesus to the monastic abbots” (probably summer 431) was written by St. Cyril of Alexandria after the condemnation of Nestorius at the Third Ecumenical Council. St. Kirill addresses the monastics, calling on them for spiritual support in the struggle for the purity of the Orthodox faith. The saint draws a parallel between the persecution of Christ and the opposition that the defenders of Orthodoxy faced in the fight against Nestorianism. Just as the Savior grieved over the infidelity of people, so now many clergy have turned away from the truth, supporting the heretic. St. Cyril reports that Nestorius has already been deposed, but the last efforts remain for the final approval of the doctrine. He calls on the monks, as true warriors of Christ, to imitate Moses, who stretched out his hands in prayer during the battle with Amalek (Ex. 17:8-13), and to support the fathers of the Church in their spiritual warfare. The author of the letter consoles the monks, reminding them that those who betrayed Christ for the sake of friendship with a heretic have already been put to shame. He asks them to pray that the Orthodox archpastors will endure in the faith and please Christ, who suffered for humanity. Cyril, to the most pious and reverent abbas of the monastics and those who live the monastic life with you, confirmed in the faith of God, beloved and most desired, wishes every good thing in the Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having endured reproaches, insults, strangulations and tortures from the lawless Jews, and finally being crucified for us and for us on the cross, when he saw that everyone had risen unrighteously against Him and erected wicked heads, said: “And I waited for him who grieved, and was not, and those who comforted, and were not found” (Psalm 68:21 ). Something similar, we see, has happened now. But in order not to sadden me with the jealousy of the faithful and relatives, (I will say that) He (Christ) had many who grieved over the wickedness of Nestorius, although, however, some of those invested with the dignity of the priesthood rejected Him (Christ) and, assisting the heretic, are at enmity against those who rebelled against him. But Christ will expose the foolishness of such people, or, better to say, has already exposed them. For blasphemous lips are stopped, and the most wicked tongue is silenced; He will no longer utter blasphemy against Christ with the authority of a teacher and a priest. And those who preferred friendship with him (Nestorius) to love for Christ were now covered with shame and dishonor - and rightfully so. But although the enemy has already been overthrown, and now little work remains for us, yet for this we also need your prayers to God. It is necessary for you, who have dedicated your life to God, to pray, “lifting up your holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8) and to do this more often for us. Remember that when Joshua and the chosen Israelites fought against Amalek, blessed Moses, raising his hands to heaven, asked God for victory over his enemies. Let your piety also strive in prayer, help, as true children, your fathers, who destroyed the false teaching of Nestorius, like some kind of contagious ulcer, so that, keeping faith immaculate and undamaged and alien to all reproach, we may please Christ, who endured everything for us and for us. - Please us with your letters: they will be a great consolation for us. I wish you good health, beloved and most cherished brethren. You might be interested in: