NESTORIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Nestorian refers to an adherent, follower, or believer of the Nestorianism theological doctrine. Nestorianism, also known as the Nestorian heresy, was a major theological controversy within Christianity during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The term derives from Nestorius, who was the patriarch of Constantinople from 428 to 431 CE and one of the principal advocates of the doctrine.
Nestorianism espouses the belief that Jesus Christ exists as two separate and distinct persons: a fully divine person and a fully human person, rather than residing in a single divine-human nature as the orthodox Christian belief suggests. According to Nestorius, the Virgin Mary was the mother of the human Jesus but not the mother of God, as God was not subject to birth. He argued for a clear separation between the human and divine natures of Christ, implying a sort of duality.
The Nestorian doctrine was declared a heresy in 431 CE by the Council of Ephesus, with the majority of Christian churches rejecting Nestorius' ideas. The term "Nestorian" is commonly used to describe those who adhere to this theological position, although it is important to note that many Nestorians prefer the term "Church of the East" or "Assyrian Church of the East" to describe themselves.
Today, Nestorianism is considered to be a historical Christian heresy, and its influence and following have significantly diminished over the centuries.
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• One of an anc. sect founded by Nestorius of Constantinople in the fifth century, who taught that the divine and human natures of Christ did not unite and form one person, that Mary was not the mother of God, but of Christ-remains of the sect are still found in Persia and India.
• Of or relating to the Nestorians.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NESTORIAN
Etymology of NESTORIAN
The word "Nestorian" has its origin in the Christian theological concept known as Nestorianism. Nestorianism refers to the teachings attributed to Nestorius, an influential theologian and Archbishop of Constantinople in the 5th century AD.
The term "Nestorian" was not contemporaneously used during Nestorius' time, but it emerged later to describe his theological beliefs and followers. Nestorius taught that Jesus Christ existed as two separate persons, one human and one divine, rather than as a unified divine-human being. This perspective was deemed heretical by the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 AD.
The name "Nestorian" is derived from Nestorius himself. The original Greek form of his name is Νεστόριος (Nestorios).
Similar spelling words for NESTORIAN
- Nestorianism,
- nestor,
- nectar,
- nectary,
- NASTRAN,
- next door,
- Nestorius,
- nestronia,
- nester,
- neustrian,
- nectarine,
- news story.
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