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76 the legates of their Patriarch. Gelasius of Cyzicus (c. 475) says so, too, in his history of the council. As far then as we have any evidence as to who presided, it points to the Papal Legates. We know nothing about any definite act of confirmation by the Pope, but the Roman Church undoubtedly accepted the decrees of which she (except for the one moment of weakness of Liberius) was always the chief defender.

The Council of Ephesus (431) was summoned by the Emperors Theodosius II and Valentinian III. So it repeatedly declares in its acts, in the first session: "The synod gathered together by the oracle of the most God-beloved and Christ-loving sovereigns." So little did these sovereigns conceive themselves as acting for the Pope that they sent him (St. Celestine I, 422–432) an invitation too. But when the Fathers had met they acknowledged Celestine's primacy. He had already written to St. Cyril of Alexandria, telling him to excommunicate Nestorius, if he did not repent, now he sent as additional legates two bishops, Arcadius and Projectus, and a priest, Philip, telling them to be on Cyril's side in everything, as he was already authorized to act in the name of the Roman