The Nestorian Expatriates

The Nestorian Expatriates refer to the followers of the Nestorian Christian Church, which developed in the early centuries of Christianity. Nestorianism emphasized the dual nature of Christ—fully divine and fully human—leading to controversies in early Christian theology. As a result, many Nestorians faced persecution, particularly after the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, which condemned their beliefs. To escape, these Christians migrated to regions like Persia, Central Asia, and even China, where they established communities, contributing to cultural exchanges and the spread of Christianity along trade routes, including the Silk Road.