Teodor Tăbuș: The imperial reception of Cyrillian Christology in the 6th century on the basis of the theological writings of Justinian I

Justinian I´s rule (527-565) was an essential period with regard to the turbulent reception of the definiton of Chalcedon (451) in the Eastern part of the Imperium Romanum. One has disregarded the fact that the same ruling period of Justinian was also pivotal for the imperial reception of the Christology of Cyril of Alexandria and his key Christological terminology, such as καθ’ ὑπόστασιν ἕνωσιν etc., which was not found in the definition of Chalcedon, nor in Zenon´s Henoticon (482). In addition, Cyril was the common church father in the East, bringing together the chalcedonians and anti-chalcedonians, that is, the supporters of Severus of Alexandria in the 6th century. The only thing dividing them was the interpretation and reception of Cyril´s Christology and his terms. Thus, Justinian undertook a theological program of „genuine” clarification of Cyrilian Christology, by issuing short edicts of faith, such as those in Codex Justinianus (CI I, 1,5-8), and also by writing, mostly after 536, complex theological works.My contribution focuses on the reason, the manner and the extent to which Justinian could defend and promote the “whole” Cyrillian Christology, especially in the Eastern Roman Empire. I would like to suggest that the aim of his edicts of faith and theological writings was the unification of the East, which was theologically divided because of the reception and interpretation of Cyril´s Christology, thus demonstrating that Cyril´s Christology and terminology were, in fact, in perfect accord and harmony with the Chalcedonian terminology and definition.