July 9, 386: Nestorius, the first patriarch of Constantinople, is born in what is now Maras, Turkey. Nestorius is famous for his opposition to Mary being described as “theotokos” or God-bearer, preferring the term “Christotokos” or Christ-bearer. Other theologians, such as Cyril of Alexandrian were concerned that this implied that Christ had two natures and two persons (rather than two natures in one person). The Council of Ephesus in 431 condemned this view as heresy and deposed Nestorius, but modern historians believe that may have been too harsh (see issue 51: Heresy in the Early Church).
July 9, 1228: Stephen Langton, greatest of the medieval archbishops of Canterbury, dies. He had formulated the original division of the Bible into chapters in the late 1100s, and his name appears on the Magna Carta as counselor to the king (though he supported the English barons in their pursuit for more freedoms).
