Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/121

Rh

disputes which agitated the eastern church on the subject of the incarnation, are celebrated for their unyielding acrimony. The doctrine of two distinct persons in Christ was long supported by Nestorius with various fortunes; the orthodox believers triumphed in his death, but even his fall brought with it its own revenge, for the excess of zeal in his persecutors gave rise to a schism as obstinately persevered in, and far more pernicious in the result. The principles of the Monophysite doctrine, that of one nature, are said to have been supported by the writings of some of the early fathers.

The murder of the beautiful and accomplished Hypatia has cast an eternal stain on the memory of Cyril of Alexandria. Cyril was at the head of that party most zealous against the doctrines of Nestorius; he had been denounced by the