St. Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Image: Company of Voices
(CNA) Born in Egypt Alexandria, there doesn’t seem to be much known of his youth except that he was likely the nephew of Pope Theophilis of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark and should he be the Cyril addressed by Isidore of Pelusium, Cyril was for a time a Monk before becoming a Bishop.
From Cyril’s writing one knows that he received a solid literary and theological education and together with his Uncle Pope Theophilus, played a role in an early 5th century dispute between the Egyptian and Greek Churches.
When Pope Theophilus papacy ended in 412, Cyril was evidently chosen to succeed him as the head of the Egyptian Church — Bishop Cyril of Alexandria continued the policy of his Uncle (Pope Theophilus) on insisting on Alexandria’s preeminence within the Church over Constantinople, despite the political prominence of the imperial capitol. — The two Eastern Churches eventually reestablished communion in approximately 418
Ten years later however, a theological dispute resulted in a new break between Alexandria and Constantinople, Cyril’s reputation as a Theologian and later a ‘Doctor of the Church’ arose from his defense of Catholic orthodoxy during this time.
In 428 a Monk named Nestorius became the new Patriarch of Constantinople, it became clear that Nestorius was not willing to use the term ‘Mother of God’ to describe the Blessed Virgin Mary but instead instead insisted on using the phrase ‘Mother of Christ’ — During the 4th century, the Greek Church had already held two Ecumenical Councils to confirm Jesus Christ’s eternal preexistence as God prior to His Incarnation as man. From this perennial belief, it followed logically that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the Mother of God. Veneration of Mary as the ‘Blessed Virgin Mother of God’ confirmed the doctrine of the Incarnation and Jesus Christ’s status as equal to God the Father.
Nestorius insisted that he to held these these doctrines but Cyril and many others argued that Nestorius refusal to acknowledge Mary the ‘Blessed Virgin Mother of God’ appeared to reveal a heretical view and which would split him into two united but distinct persons: One fully human and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The other fully divine and not subject to birth and death.
Cyril responded to this heretical tendency first through a series of letters to Nestorius (which are still in existence today) then through an appeal to Pope Celestine I (422-432) and finally through summoning of a Ecumenical Council in 431 — Cyril presided over this Council stating that, “he was filling the place of the most Holy and Blessed Archbishop (Pope Celestine I) of the Roman Catholic Church.” Pope Celestine I had authorized it.
The Ecumenical Council was tumultuous, ‘John of Antioch’ a friend of Nestorius came to the city and convened a rival council which sought to condemn and depose Bishop Cyril — Tensions between the advocates of Cyril and Nestorius erupted into physical violence at times and both parties sought to convince the Emperor in Constantinople to back their position.
During the authorized Ecumenical Council which ran from 22 June to 31 July, 431 Bishop Cyril brilliantly defended the Orthodox belief in Jesus Christ as a single, Eternally Divine Person who had also became Incarnate as a man. The Council condemned Nestorius who was deposed as Patriarch and subsequently suffered exile. Bishop Cyril however reconciled with John and many of the other Theologians of Antioch that once had supported Nestorius.
Bishop Cyril after 32 years in his position, passed away in 444 in Egypt Alexandria — Long celebrated as a Saint particularly in the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches he was declared ‘Doctor of the Church’ in 1883 by Pope Leo XIII
More here from Pope Benedict XVI and here Franciscan Media
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Visit: -USCCB