1. Monophysitism. The Chalcedonian decision did not stop the controversy, and called for a supplementary statement concerning the two wills of Christ, corresponding to the two natures. Eutychianism revived in the form of Monophysitism (see MONOPHYSITES), or the doctrine that Christ had but one composite nature (Gk.
mia physis synthetos or
mia physis ditte). It makes the humanity of Christ a mere accident of the immutable divine substance. The liturgical shibboleth of the Monophysites was "God has been crucified," and they even introduced the idea into the Trisagion (q.v.); hence they are also called Theopaschites (from
theos, " God," and
paschein , "to suffer "). The tedious Monophysite controversies convulsed the Eastern Church for more than a hundred years, weakened its power, and facilitated the conquest of Mohammedanism. The fifth ecumenical council (553) made a partial concession to the Monophyaites, but did not reconcile them. They separated, like the Nestorians, from the orthodox Greek Church, and continue to this day under various names and organizations – the Jacobites in Syria, the Copts in Egypt, the Abyssinians, and the Armenians.
2. Monothelitism. Closely connected with Monophysitiem was Monothelitism (see MONOTHELITES), or the doctrine that Christ had but one will, as he had but one person. The orthodox maintained that will is an attribute of nature, rather than of person, and consequently that Christ had two wills– a human will and a divine will – both working in harmony. The Monothelite controversy lasted from 633 to 680. The Emperor Heraclius proposed a compromise formula – one divine-human energy (
mia theandrike energeia); but it was opposed in the West. The sixth ecumenical council condemned
the Monothelite heresy, and repeated the Chalcedonian Creed, with the following supplement concerning the two wills (cf. Schaff,
Creeds, ii. 72-73 ):
“And we likewise preach two natural wills in him [Jesus Christ], and two natural operations undivided, inconvertible, inseparable, unmixed, according to the doctrine of the holy Fathers; and the two natural wills [are] not contrary (far from it), as the impious heretics assert, but his human will follows the divine will, and is not resisting or reluctant, but rather subject to his divine and omnipotent will. For it was proper that the will of the flesh should be moved, but be subjected to the divine will, according to the wise Athanasius.”
The same council condemned Pope Honorius I. (625-638) as a Monothelite heretic, and his successors confirmed its decision. Monothelitism continued among the Maronitea on Mount Lebanon, who, however, afterward submitted to the Roman Church, as well as among the Monophysites, who are all Monothelites.
