WI: Miaphysite Byzantine Empire?

[GauchoBadger]

IOTL, Miaphysite Christianity was (and still is) the primary sect followed by early medieval Christians located in Egypt and Syria, and eventually formed the basis of Coptic theological belief. It was part of significant political plays within the Byzantine Empire prior to the Muslim conquests.
IOTL, two Byzantine emperors, Zeno (474-491) and more fervently Anastasius Dicorus (491-518), were followers of the Miaphysite tradition. Their reign was notable for the Acacian Schism, a crisis which threatened to sever relations between Rome and Constantinople until it was solved by the elevation of the Chalcedonian Justin I to the imperial purple in 518.
I ask, how could the Miaphysite "fad" followed by the Byzantine emperors Zeno and Anastasius become the religious status quo? Assuming that the Miaphysite emperors manage to weather or swiftly crush the Chalcedonian mobs of Constantinople, what effects does this have on the empire and its neighbors as a whole?
If the Miaphysites still persecute the Nestorians, will the latter replace the former as the main Christian minority in Persia, alongside possibly a few Chalcedonians?
If the Acacian Schism is not solved and the Pope breaks from Constantinople five centuries earlier than OTL, what effects does this have on Italy? Do the Byzantines still invade? If they do, i'd wager that they'd face even stiffer resistance, as the Pope will be constantly plotting to invite whatever Christian Germanic tribe there is to protect him from the schismatics in Italy.
Since Egypt and Syria will ITTL be the main centers of power of the Byzantine emperors, it's likely that the Muslim Arabs, if they still rise to importance, will not be able to penetrate into Byzantine territory.
If the pro-Chalcedonian Constantinopolitan mobs prove too threatening to the comfort of the emperors, could they decide to move their residence to somewhere safer? Perhaps Alexandria?
Any further thoughts?

 

[stevej713]

It wasn't just the mobs that the Emperors had to fear. It was the entire church establishment and the vast majority of the aristocracy. If the Emperor chose to make implacable enemies with this vast group, he'd probably end up assassinated and replaced.

 

[Philip]

Miaphysite Christianity was (and still is) the primary sect followed by early medieval Christians located in Egypt and Syria

Do not overestimate the homogeneity of Syria and Egypt. They (like the rest of the empire) were split between the various Christologies. Miaphysitism was more dominant in Egypt, but imposing it will not be without unrest.

Also, don't overestimate the split between the the Miaphysites and Dyophysites prior to c. VII Century. At the time of Anastasius, they each saw the other as in error, but still part of the same Church.

Assuming that the Miaphysite emperors manage to weather or swiftly crush the Chalcedonian mobs of Constantinople, what effects does this have on the empire and its neighbors as a whole?

With Constantinople distracted with worse internal problems, Persia wins even more in the Anastasian Wars. This endangers Constantinople's hold on Syria. It also discredits Anastasius and probably his policies.

If the Miaphysites still persecute the Nestorians, will the latter replace the former as the main Christian minority in Persia, alongside possibly a few Chalcedonians?

The Miaphysite would persecute the Nestorians. According to the Miaphysites, the problem with Dyophysitism is that it is Nestorian. The Sassanians might promote Dyophysitism in their conquered territories.

Since Egypt and Syria will ITTL be the main centers of power of the Byzantine emperors, it's likely that the Muslim Arabs, if they still rise to importance, will not be able to penetrate into Byzantine territory.

I am not convinced that Constantinople holds on to Syria or Egypt in this scenario. The could well be separated by the mid VII or even in the Persian sphere.