Monophysitism

Monophysitism (from the Greek monos meaning 'one' and physis meaning 'nature') is the christological position that Christ has only one nature, as opposed to the Chalcedonian position which holds that Christ has two natures, one divine and one human. However, "monophysites" themselves object to the term, preferring the term miophysite. This term uses a different Greek root, mios meaning 'a complex unity', reflecting their position that in Christ the divine and human nature become one nature, the natures being united without separation, without confusion, and without change.

Monophysitism emerged in Egypt as a response to Nestorianism. It was rejected by the Catholic/Eastern Orthodox church at the Council of Chalcedon.

Later, monothelitism was developed as an attempt to bridge the gap between Monophysitism and the Chalcedonian position, but it too was also rejected by the Chalcedonians, despite at times having the support of the Byzantine Emperors.

Monophysite churches are still found today, and include the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahido Church (tewahido being an Ethiopian word meaning "being made one"), the newly autocephalous Eritrean Orthodox Church[?], and the Armenian Apostolic Church. These are considered branches of Oriental Orthodoxy.

See also : Acephali

Reference : Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (http://www.eotc.faithweb.com/orth#DOCTRINES)