Which of the following councils addressed the relationship between Mary and Jesus?

The Council of Ephesus, held in 431 AD, is notable for its focus on the relationship between Mary and Jesus. This council affirmed Mary’s title as Theotokos, meaning "God-bearer" or "Mother of God." This designation was crucial in understanding the dual nature of Christ as both fully divine and fully human. The council addressed theological disputes concerning Christology, specifically opposing Nestorianism, which suggested a division between the divine and human natures of Christ, effectively questioning Mary's role in the incarnation. The decision to call Mary Theotokos affirmed the unity of Christ’s natures and underscored the importance of Mary in the Christian faith as the one who bore Jesus, thereby solidifying her status in Christian doctrine.

In contrast, the other councils mentioned dealt with different issues. The Council of Nicaea is primarily known for addressing the Arian controversy and affirming the nature of Christ’s divinity in relation to God the Father. The Council of Chalcedon focused on defining the two natures of Christ (divine and human) more explicitly, while the second Council of Constantinople dealt with matters related to the nature of Christ and the Trinity but did not directly address Mary’s role in the same formative way