Cyril of Alexandria, "Second Letter to Nestorius," in Richard A Norris, Jr. (ed. & tr.), The Christological Controversy (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980): 131-134.

Text Notes:

As you read this important text, note Cyril's main question: Who saved us? When we talk about the narrative of salvation, who is the subject of that story. The question here is about the who, not so much about the what. And for Cyril, the subject of the story of salvation -- the one who emptied himself, became flesh, bore our sin, and suffered and died, is none other than the eternal Son. For this reason, Cyril can say that Mary is the mother of God. This does not mean, of course, that she is the originator of the God as divine, but that the one to whom she gave birth is truly God. It is a claim about Jesus' identity -- his person.

As you read this text, ask: when Christians talk about salvation, and describe the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and his ascension, who is the subject? Is it a human being, inhabited by the divine, or is the subject of that story the eternal Son of the Father, who is "sent" by the Father into the world, and who returns the work of salvation to the Father?