Dioscorus' Anathemas of Chalcedon

Sources

• Dioscorus pronounced six anathemas against the Council of Chalcedon.
• Biography of Dioscorus by Theopiste
  • Written in Greek, preserved in a Syriac copy
  • Translated to French by Francois Nau in the 20th Century: Histoire de Dioscore, patriarche d’Alexandrie, écrite par son disciple Théopiste
  • Written by Theopiste an eyewitness to the life of St Dioscorus, maybe even a disciple
  • This document describes how Dioscorus had written a number of anathemas concerning the causes for which the Orthodox had separated from the Chalcedonians
• The Confession of Faith of Jacob Baradeus
  • Preserved in Arabic & Ethiopian
  • Translated to Dutch by Hendrik Gerrit Kleyn
  • This document contains the content of six anathemas of St Dioscorus
• Philoxenus of Mabbug
  • An almost identical list of anathemas appear in the writings of St Philoxenus of Mabbug

Anathemas

1. Chalcedon is anathematised because the members of the council contradicted the faith of Nicaea, introducing a different nature into the Trinity by proposing a fourth hypostasis.
2. Chalcedon is anathematised because it has trampled under foot the canons and prescriptions of the Fathers.
3. Chalcedon is anathematised because the teachings which were established there have overturned the teachings of the council of Ephesus, and in making a new definition of the faith the council has fallen under the anathemas issued at Ephesus.
4. Chalcedon is anathematised because it has corrupted the patristic doctrine and has received the Tome of Leo.
5. Chalcedon is anathematised because it has accepted the communion of the partisans of Nestorius, such as Ibas.
6. Chalcedon is anathematised because in conformity with the doctrine of Nestorius the members of the council have distinguished two natures in Christ, separated into their proprieties; and they have offered Christ two adorations, calling one God and the other man.