Theopaschites

Theopaschites (from θεός, God, and πάσχω, to suffer). This term was applied to those persons in the ancient Church who pronounced in favor of the formula that God had suffered and been crucified, and occurs for the first time in the letters of Isidore of Pelusium (q.v.) (Epp. 1, 102,124). The addition of the clause θεὸς ἐσταυρώθη to the Trisagion by Peter Fullo (q.v.) gave greater currency to its use (Theophanis, Chronographia, p. 97, 184), and formed an element in the Monophysite disputes. Fulgentius Ferrandus and Fulgentius of Ruspe declared in favor of the formula "One belonging, to the Trinity has been crucified" (see Gieseler, 1, 2, 365; Schröckh, 18:582), which was subsequently approved by the Fifth (Ecumenical Synod of Constantinople in 553 (Anathema 10). Fillo's addition to the Trisagion was in use among the Catholics of Syria until its rejection by the Concilium Quinsextum in 692 (Canon 81), after which only Monophysites and Monothelites continued its use. The Catholics, in the meantime. had reached the conclusion that every addition to the Trisagion involved a quaternary. Theopaschitism is a very general conception of the popular mind, even in Protestant countries, and has found support in many hymns which have been admitted into use in the churches. It is also most intimately connected with the conception which underlies the expression "Mother of God;" for if it may be said that God was born of Mary, it may with equal propriety be said that God was crucified. See the Church Histories; Smith's Hagenbach, Hist. of Doctrines, § 102; Herzog, Real- Encyklop. s.v.