The Fifth Session: Two Natures

Paschasinus and Lucentius, the most reverend bishops, and Boniface, a presbyter, deputies of the Apostolic See of Rome, said: “If they do not agree to the letter of that apostolic and blessed man, Pope Leo, give orders for us to be given our letters of dismissal, and let a synod be held there, in the West.” [a]

A long debate followed on whether the definition that had been drawn up and presented should be accepted, and this seems to have been the mind of most of the bishops. At last the commissioners proposed a committee of twenty-two to meet with them and report to the council. The emperor insisted on this, with the threat that otherwise they would all be sent home and a new council called in the West. Even this did not make them give way. [b]

The most reverend bishops cried out: “Many years to the emperor! Either let the definition stand, or we leave! Many years to the emperor!” [c] Cecropius, the most reverend bishop of Sebastopol, said: “We ask that the definition be read again, and that those who disagree with it and will not sign may go about their business. For we give our consent to what has been so beautifully drafted, and we make no criticisms.” The most blessed bishops of Illyricum said: “Let those who object be made known! Those who object are Nestorians! Let those who object go to Rome!” [d]

The most magnificent and most glorious judges said: “Dioscorus acknowledged that he accepted the expression ‘of two natures,’ but not that there were two natures. But the most holy Archbishop Leo says that there are two natures in Christ, united unchangeably, inseparably and without confusion in the one only Son, our Savior. Whom would you follow, the most holy Leo or Dioscorus?” [e] The most reverend bishops cried out: “We believe as Leo does! Those who object are Eutychians! Leo has set out the faith rightly!” The most magnificent and glorious judges said: “Then add to the definition, in keeping with the judgment of our most holy father Leo, that there are two natures in Christ, united unchangeably, inseparably and without confusion.”

The committee then met in the chapel of the most holy martyr Euphemia. Afterward it reported a definition of faith which taught the same doctrine but was not the Tome of Leo. [f]