Homilies and Hymns, Volume 2

of them was summoned by Constantine because of the impiety that burst forth from the mouth of Arius. The second was in the days of Theodosius concerning the babblings of Macedonius.

The third was during the reign of the two kings, and the reason for that was the jealousy of the Egyptian. These are the three councils which took place in the three periods, and in none of them were present the men whom I have mentioned. During the first, none of them was born, and who can pass verdict on him who is not yet born? During the second, none of them had yet attained any position of importance; therefore, it is evident that the council did not call them to trial.

And during the third, they had already departed this life. Who is, then, so insane as to condemn one who is dead?

Thus, the reason for the vengeance which abounds with curses speaks for itself. Let us, therefore, seek the reason why they curse the righteous men? Why are these foolish men perturbed against the righteous, and these men who hate righteousness mock at those who are good?

Why do they speak falsely and say that their writings are not true, when they know full well that their works (truth) shine forth like the sun!

Why did they trump up charges to pass excommunication on him (Nestorius) in council, for there was no one to denounce their unjust action? And if they call the council ecumenical, what relation has this to men who were already dead? For if they pretend to inquire into the case of Nestorius, lo! even he did not hear the cause for his condemnation. He was never brought before the tribunal that condemned him for no cause, for he was dead long before his judges passed their unjust verdict! Behold! whoever witnessed an action such as now taken by the priests who condemned the accused without bringing him to trial?

The judges acted unjustly in this tribunal, and because of the accuser (Cyril) they were afraid to speak the glaring truth, and from the Egyptian the wise men were ashamed, and their dread of women terrified them from speaking the truth!

ERROR BREEDS ERROR

It has rightly been said that error breeds error. The councils which followed that of Ephesus, such as the Robber Synod, and others that succeeded it, between the Greeks, the Latins and the Monophysites, resulted in additional splits, accusations of heresy and excommunications against one another.

The fact is that no heresy and no split ever emanated from the Syriac Church (Church of the East) but that all these have been of Greek and