absurd formula—that our Lord had two natures before the hypostatic union, one after it—was approved. There were shouts and cries, "Eusebius (of Dorylæum) to the fire! Burn him alive! Cut him in half!" The opponents of Eutyches were to be thrown in the sea. The wretched bishops were driven about, threatened, struck; Flavian clung to the altar. The soldiers tore him from it, and so maltreated him that he died a few days afterwards. The Roman legates cried out their protest, "Contradicitur," then left the tumult in disgust. Dioscor spared no violence to the trembling bishops. Terrified for their lives, they signed the acts condemning and deposing Flavian, restoring Eutyches. On August 22 a second session was held, in which Domnus of Antioch, Theodoret of Cyrus, and a number of Eastern bishops were deposed. Flavian and the legates were not present at this second session. One of the legates, Hilary, later (as Pope) built a chapel in the Lateran basilica as a votive-offering that he had escaped with his life from the riot at Ephesus.[1] Then Dioscor sent a copy of the acts to the Emperor; Theodosius approved them and thought he had settled the matter. Anatolius (449–458) was made Bishop of Constantinople in place of Flavian, and Maximus was set up at Antioch instead of Domnus.[2]
But Dioscor had counted without the Pope. From all sides appeals and protests came to Rome. Flavian had time to appeal before he died. Theodoret sent a letter of appeal,[3] and the legates who had escaped from Dioscor's violence came back and told Leo what had happened. St. Leo then held a local synod[4] and protested against the Robber-Synod. Dioscor, in answer, had the impudence to pretend to excommunicate the Pope. Referring to this, the Council of Chalcedon writes to Leo: "the enemy like a beast roaring to himself outside the fold … had stretched his madness even towards you, to whom the care of the
- ↑ The inscription over the door of the chapel of St. John the Evangelist may still be read: "Liberatori suo beato Iohanni euangelistæ Hilarius episcopus famulus Christi."
- ↑ The acts of the Robber-Synod are in Mansi, vi. 827–870; for the whole story see Hefele-Leclercq: Hist. des Conciles, ii. (1), pp. 584–606.
- ↑ This is the famous letter which contains such strong things about the Primacy (P.G. liv. 848–854); see Orth. Eastern Church, 56.
- ↑ October 13 or 15, 449; Mansi, vi. 509; Hefele-Leclercq ii. (1), 625.
