THEODORET OF CYRRHUS

THEODORET OF CYRRHUS, bishop, theologian, scriptural exegete, historian (ca. 393–466). As Theodore of Mopsuestia and Nestorius, so Theodoret was a product of Antioch (qq.v.) and the school of exegesis and theology associated with that city. While escaping the condemnation of the first two men, though not altogether unscathed, his sympathies for their position remained throughout his life. He left behind a considerable body of written works, including a number of scriptural commentaries, a History of the Monks of Syria (the major source for the early history of Syrian monasticism [q.v.]), a Church History that continues Eusebius’s history through 428, a polemical work against Cyril of Alexandria (q.v.) and the “monophysite” position called The Beggar, and a large work of apologetics (q.v.), The Cure of Pagan Maladies. Although his works were posthumously condemned as part of the “Three Chapters,” they continued to be circulated and read in the church, sometimes under the pseudonym Nilus of Sinai.