Miaphysitism
English edit
Etymology edit
From miaphysite + -ism, a modern coinage from Byzantine Greek μία (mía, “one”) + φύσις (phúsis, “nature, substance”), referring in particular to the formula of Cyril of Alexandria, “one incarnate nature of the Word”, μία φύσις τοῦ Λόγου σεσαρκωμένη (mía phúsis toû Lógou sesarkōménē).
Noun edit
Miaphysitism (uncountable)
- (theology) A Christological formula, upheld by the Oriental Orthodox Church, holding that divinity and humanity are united in a single nature in Christ.
Usage notes edit
Miaphysitism is sometimes treated as synonymous with monophysitism, the doctrine that Jesus has a single divine or mixed nature. In technical usage, however, miaphysitism refers to a more moderate position that while Jesus is fully human and fully God without dilution, this should nevertheless be considered a single nature. Miaphysitism has thus been interpreted by some Chalcedonian Christians as representing only a difference in the definition of nature, or physis.