The Gangster Ecumenical Church Council of Ephesus (AD 449)

A church council was convened in Ephesus by emperor Theodosius II in 449. Around 200 bishops, primarily from the Greek eastern church, met together in the Church of Mary of Ephesus. The Roman Catholic Pope Leo sent representatives with an authorized letter explaining the West’s teaching concerning Jesus Christ. However, Pope Leo’s letter was ignored and not read. Led by bishop Dioscorus of Alexan- dria, the council quickly declared Eutyches’ teaching to be orthodox and condemned Constantinople’s bishop Flavian. Because of its coercive and violent proceedings, the council was discredited and became known as the “Gangster Council.”