Cyril Of Jerusalem

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315 – March 18, 386) grew up in the fourth century when the heretics of Arianism threatened the Holy See's existence. "Make your fold with the sheep; flee from the wolves: depart not from the Church," Cyril admonished all who would leave Christianity. He was a strong Catholic leader in the face of fierce adversity from internal and external forces. He was a deacon, priest then Bishop of Jerusalem, an important position in the hierarchy of the early Church. His Catecheses remain valuable as examples of the ritual and theology of the Church in the mid-fourth century.^[1] Cyril is only one of thirty-three to be called Doctor of the Church.

Early life[edit]

Nothing is available about his early life, nor his parents. All that is known, Cyril lived his entire life in Jerusalem. He had been ordained priest by St. Maximus. It was St. Maximus's death that led to Cyril's promotion.

Famine[edit]

Bishop Acacia had authority over all the bishops of Palestine. Cyril argued that his authority did not include Jerusalem because Jerusalem was an "apostolic see", one of the original sees set up by the apostles. The seeds for future disagreements were sown.

The poor turned to Cyril for help when a famine struck Jerusalem. Cyril, seeing the poor starving to death and having no money, sold some of the goods of the churches. This would lead to false charges and accusations by other powerful Bishops. He was accused of insubordination and was condemned, driven from Jerusalem. He was later vindicated at the Council of Seleucia in 359.

Exile[edit]

Cyril's victory at Seleciua was short lived. Bishop Acacia had won the ear of the emperor. He devised a story of the King's stolen robe, sold by Cyril to a dancer who died wearing the robe. That accusation banished him until Julian became emperor and recalled all exiled bishops, orthodox or Arian. Cyril returned to Jerusalem.^[2]

When Acacius died, each faction nominated their own replacement for Caesarea. Cyril appointed his nephew Gelasius, causing great discord. What seemed like nepotism, Cyril was just offering the holiest man for the job. It was confirmed Gelasius that indeed, he was holy. A year later, both Cyril and Gelasius were driven out of Palestine again as the new emperor's consul reversed Julian's ruling.

It would be eight long years before he would return to Jerusalem. When he returned, he found the city destroyed by heresy and strife.

Council at Constantinople[edit]

At the end of Cyril's life, he would finally be vindicated for his hard fought efforts. The Nicene Creed and orthodoxy triumphed, Arianism was defeated. Cyril received justice at the same Council who cleared him of all previous rumors and commended him for fighting "a good fight in various places against the Arians."

Works[edit]

St. Cyril's catechetical lectures are among the most precious remains of Christian antiquity. Also, a sermon on the Pool of Bethesda, a letter to the Emperor Constantius. Many famous Catecheses sermons. The first mystagogical catechesis explains the renunciations of Satan, etc. which preceded baptism; the second is on the effects of baptism, the third on confirmation, the fourth on Holy Communion, and the fifth on holy Mass for the living and the dead. A 'Discipline of the Secret', or forbidden to reveal to heathen, decree was invoked.

Cyril lived his last eight years in peace. He died at the age of seventy.

References[edit]

1. ↑ St. Cyril of Jerusalem American Catholic
2. ↑ St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Online