Diogenes of Cyzicus
Diogenes of Cyzicus (Ancient Greek: Διογένης ἐπίσκοπος Κυζίκου, romanized: Diogenes episkopos Kyzikou[1]) was the metropolitan bishop of the Metropolis of Cyzicus from before 449 to after 451. He participated in the Second Council of Ephesus and the Council of Chalcedon.
He is not to be confused with the 3rd century grammarian Diogenianus or Diogenes of Cyzicus, who wrote the Patria of Cyzicus and is described in the Suda.[2][3]
Ephesus II
[edit]As the bishop of Cyzicus, Diogenes was present at the Second Council of Ephesus. At the council, Eutyches attempted to prove his orthodoxy by reciting the original Nicene Creed of 325, and claiming that Canon 7 of the Council of Ephesus forbids any addition or subtraction from that version of the creed. Diogenes objected, noting that additions were already made to the creed at the First Council of Constantinople to counter the heresy of Apollinarianism. He further accused Eutyches of Apollinarianism for not reciting the 381 version of the Creed, specifically the part saying "from thw Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin". A group of Egyptian bishops protested, apparently not aware of the 381 version, and the ensuing debate over additions to the Creed is relevant to the Filioque controversy.[4]
In the same complaint, Eutyches anathematized "those who say that the flesh of our Lord and God Jesus Christ came down from heaven". When Eutyches' complaint was reread at the Council of Chalcedon, Eusebius of Dorylaeum pointed out that, while Eutychus correctly denied that Christ's flesh came down from heaven, he did not state from where it came. Diogenes, along with Basil of Seleucia, claimed that they pressed Eutyches at Ephesus, saying "Lord Eutyches, where then did it come from? Tell us" but he didn't comply. The orthodox answer is that Christ took flesh from the Virgin Mary, but this would contradict Eutyches' belief that Christ is not consubstantial with humanity. Richard Price and Michael Gaddis doubt that any of the bishops at Ephesus had the courage or opportunity to publicly counter Eutyches.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Schwartz, Edward (1933) [451]. Acta Conciliorum Oecumenicorum. Concilium Universale Chalcedonensis (complete). ISBN 978-3110004175. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Smith, William (1844–1849). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Peter Van Nuffelen; Lieve Van Hoof. "Database: Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris (CHAP)". Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Ybarra, Erick (30 June 2019). "The Filioque, Constantinople II, and Common Sense Arguments Against Roman Catholicism – Examined". Retrieved 2 December 2024.
a
- ^ Price, Richard; Gaddis, Michael (2007). The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon (PDF). Liverpool University Press. ISBN 978-1-84631-100-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-11.
- ^ Chadwick, Henry (2001). The church in ancient society : from Galilee to Gregory the Great. ISBN 978-0199265770. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
The Roman legates held first place among the bishops, and in contrast to the procedure at Ephesus called attention to their decision to put Anatolius of Constantinople second. "That is because you know the canons', observed bishop Diogenes of Cyzicus, who throughout the proceedings played the part of an upholder of the canon of Constantinople in 381 about the privileges of the see after Old Rome.
- ^ Chadwick, Henry (1955). The Exile and Death of Flavian of Constantinople: A Prologue to the Council of Chalcedon. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
At the first session of Chalcedon a clever attempt to insinuate the point was made by Diogenes of Cyzicus (who appears throughout the Acts as a zealous upholder of the privileges of New Rome). The minutes of the Second Council of Ephesus were being read, including the long list of those present, in which Flavian is assigned fifth place, inferior to Dioscorus, the Roman legate Bishop Iulius of Puteoli, Juvenal of Jerusalem, and Domnus of Antioch. At this point in the reading angry protests were interjected against this insult to the dignity of Flavian's see. The Roman legate Paschasinus of Lilybaeum rather naively observes with pride: 'See, by God's will we have the lord Anatolius first; they put blessed Flavian fifth.' Diogenes of Cyzicus adds the dry comment: 'Because you know the canons'.
- ^ Price, Ruchard; Whitby, Mary (2009). Chalcedon In Context Church Councils 400-700. ISBN 978-1846316487. Retrieved 2 December 2024.