The Council of Ephesus was the Third Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church, held in AD 431 in Ephesus. Convened to address controversies concerning the person of Jesus Christ, the council affirmed that Jesus is one divine Person who is both fully God and fully man. It also formally upheld the title Theotokos (“God-bearer” or “Mother of God”) for the Blessed Virgin Mary, emphasizing that the one born of Mary is truly God incarnate.
Led by influential bishops such as Saint Cyril of Alexandria, the council played a decisive role in safeguarding orthodox Christian teaching about Christ’s identity. Its decisions became foundational for later Christian theology and remain significant across many Christian traditions.
The Council of Ephesus symbolizes the Church’s commitment to preserving the truth of the faith and defending the mystery of the Incarnation.
Council of Ephesus (AD 431)
The Third Ecumenical Council affirmed the title Theotokos and defended the unity of Christ’s person.
Illustration by: Colton Rompala