The First Session Continued: The Letter of Capreolus

No action is recorded in the Acts as having been taken. Some who had seen Nestorius during the past three days reported by word of mouth that they had no hope of any repentance on his part. On the motion of Flavian, bishop of Philippi, a number of passages from the fathers were read, and after that some selections from the writings of Nestorius. Next a letter from Capreolus, archbishop of Carthage, was read, excusing his absence. The letter makes no direct reference to Nestorius at all, but prays the synod to see to it that no novelties are tolerated. After it was read, the Acts go on: [a]

Cyril, bishop of the church of Alexandria, said: “This letter of the most reverend and devout Capreolus, bishop of Carthage, which has been read, expresses its view most clearly. Let it be entered in the Acts. For it wishes the ancient teachings of the faith to be confirmed, and novelties, absurdly conceived and impiously brought forth, to be condemned and banned.” All the bishops cried out together: “These are the words of all of us! These are the things we all say! To see this done is the desire of us all!” [c]

Immediately after this come the sentence of deposition and the signatures. It seems almost certain that something has dropped out here, most probably the whole discussion of Cyril’s twelve anathemas. [d]