the term χριστοτόκος does not occur. Now Nestorius in his Treatise of Heraclides tells us that the quarrelling parties, which abusively designated each other by the names of "Manicheans" and "Photinians", came into the bishop's palace and begged his counsel. He recognised that neither the friends of the θεοτόκος were Manicheans nor were the upholders of the term ἀνθρωποτόκος adherents of the heresy of Photinus, and he declared that both terms, when rightly understood, were not heretical, but as a safer one he suggested the term χριστοτόκος[1]. In this way, Nestorius narrates, the parties were reconciled, and they were at peace with one another until Cyril of Alexandria intruded himself in the matter[2].
In this account, three points are worthy of consideration. First the notice that Nestorius advised the quarrelling parties in his home. This report is undoubtedly trustworthy, for in his first sermon on the θεοτόκος Nestorius directly makes mention of such persons, who shortly before in his presence argued against each other the question whether Mary should be called θεοτόκος or χριστοτόκος[3]. This extension of our knowledge as regards the place where Nestorius advised the contending parties seems to be very unimportant. But that this is not the case we shall now
