At the heart of this identity lies Miaphysitism, a Christological vision centered on the absolute unity of the Savior.
To understand the Syriac Orthodox position, one must look back to the 5th century, a formative era for Christian doctrine. The church holds the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) in high regard, viewing it as a definitive confirmation of the unity of Christ. However, the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) introduced a new linguistic formula, describing Christ as existing "in two natures." The Assyrian fathers, along with other Oriental communities, felt that this new language risked compromising the organic unity of the Incarnate Word. They chose to remain faithful to the older, traditional expressions of the faith, leading to a distinct path for the Syriac Orthodox Church that continues to this day.
The Miaphysite Formula: A Unified Reality
The Assyrian faithful from the Syriac Orthodox church embrace the profound formula of St. Cyril of Alexandria: "One Incarnate Nature of God the Word" (Mia Physis tou Theou Logou Sesarkomene). It is important to distinguish this Miaphysite theology from "Monophysitism." While the latter was a theory that suggested Christ’s divinity overwhelmed his humanity, the Syriac Orthodox Church firmly rejects such a view. Instead, their faith teaches a perfect union:
- Perfectly Divine: He is true God, of the same essence as the Father.
- Perfectly Human: He is true man, possessing a real body and a rational soul, being like us in all things except sin.
The "One Nature" is described as a composite nature. It is the union of divinity and humanity "without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration." Just as a human being is one single person composed of both soul and body, the Syriac Orthodox Assyrians believe that the divine and human united to form one single, unified reality in Christ.
"We confess one nature for the Word of God who became flesh; a union that remains inseparable and indivisible, without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration, for He is perfect God and perfect man in one united nature."
For the Syriac-Orthodox Assyrians, this theology is the bedrock of their endurance. Throughout history, including during the hardships of the Seyfo (the 1915 genocide), the belief in a God who is intimately and inextricably united with humanity has provided immense spiritual strength. In modern times, extensive ecumenical dialogues have shown that many of the historical divisions were rooted in differences of language and culture rather than a fundamental disagreement on the divinity and humanity of Christ.
