In the time of Nestorius, there was no radio, television, internet, or even loudspeakers. Yet people started to become aware that he was preaching heresy, and the word spread throughout all of Constantinople. Immediately simple priests and layman publicly denounced him and ceased to commune with and commemorate Nestorius; they did not wait for the convocation of a council, which would have been completley useless. Because when a council of all the commemorating bishops was finally convoked in Constantinople, what was its judgment? It justified Nestorius and anathematized the Orthodox! Fortunately, genuine Orthodox were not of that mentality which attributes to councils of bishops that infallibility which belongs solely to the Church. Many councils are called, even ecumenical ones such as that of 754, and they are robber councils!
When Saint Hypatius understood what opinions Nestorius held, immediately, in the Church of the Apostles, he erased his name from the diptychs, so that he would no longer be commemorated at the Oblation. This was before Nestorius’ condemnation by the Third Ecumenical Council.When Bishop Eulalius learned of this, he was anxious about the outcome of the affair. And seeing that it had been noised abroad, Nestorius also ordered him to reprimand Hypatius. For Nestorius was still powerful in the city. Bishop Eulalius spoke thus to Hypatius: “Why have you erased his name with out understanding what the consequences would be?” Saint Hypatius replied: “From the time that I learned that he said unrighteous things about the Lord, I have no longer been in communion with him and I do not commemorate his name; for he is not a bishop.” Then the bishop, in anger, said: “Be off with you! Make amends for what you have done, for I shall take measures against you.” Saint Hypatius replied: “Do as you wish. As for me, I have decided to suffer anything, and it is with this in mind that I have done this.” (From the Life of Saint Hypatius No.177, pp. 210—214)
For a long time the other Orthodox Churches, even though they kept the Orthodox Faith, continued to maintain unbroken canonical relations with the Church of Constantinople and with Nestorius. Which of the other local Churches who maintained the Orthodox Faith had canonical relations with the true Orthodox Christians of Constantinople? The Church of Jerusalem? That of Antioch? That of Rome? That of Alexandria? Not one. So, did all the local Orthodox Churches become heretical, since they were in communion with a heretical Church? That would be the conclusion of a legalist.
Nestorius’ heresy had not yet become widely known. Rumors were circulating, but things had only been substantiated or clarified for the residents of Constantinople because they had personally heard Nestorius’ preaching. For them, to continue in communion with Nestorius would have been tantamount to true heresy. The others were justified in remaining in communion until they could ascertain the facts of the matter. In such instances, communion is broken with a heretic little by little by the surrounding Churches, according to their measure of awareness of their neighbor’s heresy. The cessation of commemoration and communion always begins within the very Church where the heresy has spawned. A space of time intervenes until the other Churches perceive the heresy, and an even greater span of time lapses before councils convene and excommunications are pronounced.
The Orthodox do not await the Church’s pronouncement of anathema in order to withdraw from heretics. All who become aware of an infectious disease, withdraw without waiting for the order to be given to them by the health authorities. Circumstances may prevent such an order from ever being given, or of it being given too late. Those infected with SARS are thus infected whether the physicians know it or not, or whether they declare it or not. They who are near will be the first to comprehend the gravity of the situation, and they must be the first to leave since they are in greater danger than all the rest. Heresy is heresy whether it has been anathematized or not. What a grave and dangerous situation to those who remain in communion with it, while waiting the decision of a council. Who knows if a council will ever be called, and if it is, if it will be a true council or a false council.
So today, in the age of instant communication, there is not one priest or bishop who is left with an excuse of not knowing of the many different and persistent heresies which have plagued the church over the last 80 years and across every land. They are either culpable or have been deceived. And it is nothing at all new that only a few are left and the majority of bishops, having had the opportunity to accept or reject a heresy, are fallen and false bishops.
I believe this answers all of your questions Gregory.