What is the significance of the Council of Ephesus?

The Council of Ephesus, held in 431 AD, is particularly significant because it affirmed the title of Theotokos for Mary, which translates to "God-bearer" or "Mother of God." This affirmation was crucial in addressing the Nestorian controversy, which arose from the teachings of Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. Nestorius proposed a distinction between the divine and human natures of Christ to the extent that he suggested Mary should be called Christotokos, or "Bearer of Christ," rather than Theotokos.

The Council ultimately rejected Nestorianism and upheld the belief that Mary, by giving birth to Jesus, who is both fully divine and fully human, could rightly be called Theotokos. This definition reinforced the understanding of the hypostatic union—the doctrine that in the one person of Christ, there are two natures, divine and human, which are inseparable yet distinct. The decision made at Ephesus was vital for Christological understanding in Christianity and affirmed Mary's important role in salvation history.

This event illustrates the Council's role in the theological debates of the time and its lasting impact on Christian doctrine concerning Christ and Mary. It also helped to consolidate the belief in the Incarnation, an essential