Editing Theodosius II (section)

===Theological disputes===
[[Image:Menologion of Basil 061.jpg|thumb|300px|Theodosius welcomes the relics of [[John Chrysostom]]; miniature from the early 11th century]]
Theodosius frequently attempted to resolve doctrinal controversies regarding the nature of [[Jesus|Christ]]. During a visit to [[Syria (region)|Syria]], Theodosius met the monk [[Nestorius]], a renowned preacher. Nestorius was appointed as [[archbishop of Constantinople]] in 428 and became involved in a [[Christology|Christological]] dispute between two groups. One group called the [[Virgin Mary]] ''[[Theotokos]]'' ("birth-giver of God"), based on God being born a man in Christ, and the other rejected the title, based on God being eternal and thus could not be born. Nestorius' compromise, the title ''Christotokos'' ("birth-giver of Christ"), was rejected; he was accused of separating Christ's divine and human natures, resulting in "two Christs", in a doctrine later called [[Nestorianism]]. Though initially enjoying Theodosius' favor, Nestorius was strongly opposed by Archbishop [[Cyril of Alexandria]] and eventually lost Theodosius's support. Nestorius had also alienated the emperor's sister, Pulcheria. At Nestorius's request, the emperor convened the [[First Council of Ephesus]] in 431 to allow Nestorius to contest Cyril's accusations of heresy. The council was divided between the Cyrillians and the Nestorians, with Theodosius ultimately favoring the Cyrillians. The council affirmed the title ''Theotokos'' and condemned Nestorius, who returned to his monastery in Syria and was eventually exiled to a remote monastery in Egypt.

Constantinopolitan abbot [[Eutyches]] reignited the theological dispute almost twenty years later by asserting the Monophysite view that Christ's divine and human nature were one. Eutyches was condemned by Archbishop [[Flavian of Constantinople]] but supported by the powerful [[Dioscurus of Alexandria]], Cyril's successor. The [[Second Council of Ephesus]] in 449 restored Eutyches and deposed Flavian. The [[Chalcedonian Christianity|Chalcedonians]] opposed the decision, with [[Pope Leo I]] calling the council the "robber synod". Theodosius supported the outcome, but it was reversed by the [[Council of Chalcedon]] which was held a year after his death in 450.