View source for Monophysitism

[[Image:Monophysite.png|right|200px|thumb|Eutyches asserted that human nature and divine nature were combined into the single nature of Christ]]

'''Monophysitism''' is a [[Christology|Christological]] [[heresy]] that originated in the 5th century A.D. Its chief proponent was the [[monk]] [[Eutyches]], who stated that in the person of [[Jesus Christ]] the human nature was absorbed into the divine nature like a cube of sugar dissolves in a cup of water. Therefore, Christ was left with only one nature, the Divine (Greek ''mono-'' one, ''physis'' - nature).  This is to be contrasted with the [[miaphysitism]] which is professed by the [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches.

Eutyches' position on monophysitism is often referred to as '''Eutychianism''', a position that went beyond the Christology as expressed by [[Cyril of Alexandria]] and is also anathematized by non-Chalcedonians who accept the faith of Cyril.  Eutyches formulated this doctrine in response to the heresy of [[Nestorianism]], which divided the person of Christ almost to the point of having two separate persons (not two natures, as the Orthodox believe). 

Another branch of monophysitism, called [[Apollinarianism]], holds that Christ had a human body and human "living principle," but that the Divine Logos had taken the place of the nous, or "thinking principle," analogous but not identical to what might be called a mind in the present day. 

Monophysitism (particularly Eutyches' variety) was condemned at the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]], held in [[Chalcedon]] in the year 451.  Apollinarianism had previously been condemned at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381.

==External links==
*Wikipedia's article on [[W:Monophysitism|Monophysitism]]
*[http://www.britishorthodox.org/2church.php Eastern/Oriental orthodox statements]

[[Category:Heresies]]

[[ro:Monofizitism]]