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Our father among the [[saint]]s, '''Cyril of Alexandria''' was the [[Pope ]] of Alexandria at the time Alexandria was at its height in influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the [[Christology|Christological]] controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of Ephesus]] in 431 which led to the deposition of [[Nestorius]] as Archbishop of Constantinople. Cyril is among the patristic fathers and his reputation within the Orthodox Christian world has led to his acquiring the title "Seal of all the Fathers." His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[June 9]] and, with St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], on [[January 18]].
== Life ==
Cyril was born about 378 in the small town of Theodosios, Egypt, near modern day Malalla el Kobra. His mother’s brother, Theophilus, was a [[priest]] who rose to the powerful position of Pope of Alexandria. His mother remained close to her brother and under his guidance Cyril was well educated. His education showed through his knowledge, in his writings, of Christian writers of his day, including [[Eusebius of Caesarea|Eusebius,]] [[Origen]], Didymus, and writers of the Alexandrian church. He showed a knowledge of Latin through his extensive correspondence with the [[Bishop ]] of Rome, [[Pope]] Celestine. His formal education appeared normal for his day: 390-392 grammatical studies at ages 12 to 14, 393-397 Rhetoric/Humanities at ages 15 to 20, and 398-402 Christian theology and biblical studies.
He was [[tonsure]]d a [[reader]] by his uncle, Theophilus, in the [[Church of Alexandria]] and under his uncle's guidance advanced in knowledge and position. He supported his uncle in the removal of St. [[John Chrysostom]] as [[archbishop]] of Constantinople, although this was justified as an administrative, not doctrinal, issue, as later Cyril supported John's return as when he contrasted Nestorius' unorthodoxy to Chrysostom's purity of doctrine to the imperial court.
Theophilus died on [[October 15]], 412, and Cyril was made pope on [[October 18]], 412, over stiff opposition by the party for the incumbent [[Archdeacon]] Timothy in a volatile Alexandrian atmosphere. Thus, Cyril followed first Athanasius and then Theophilus as the Pope of Alexandria in the position that had become powerful and influential, rivaling that of the city Prefect.
His early years as pope were caught up in the problems of a cosmopolitan city where the animosities among the various Christian factions, [[Judaism|Jews]], and pagans brought frequent violence. In addition, there was the rivalry between Alexandria and Constantinople and a clash between [[Alexandrian school|Alexandrian]] and [[Antiochian school|Antiochian]] schools of ecclesiastical reflection, piety, and discourse. These issues came to a head in 428 when the [[see ]] of Constantinople became vacant. Nestorius, from the Antiochian party, was made Archbishop of Constantinople on [[April 10]], 428, and stoked the fires by denouncing the use of the term ''[[Theotokos]]'' as not a proper rendition of Mary’s position in relation to [[Christ]].
Thus, Cyril and the Alexandrian party crossed swords with those of the Antiochian party in the imperial home court. After much in-fighting, Augusta Pulcheria, older sister of the Emperor Theodosius II, sided with Cyril against Nestorius. To rid himself of Cyril, Nestorius recommended to the emperor a [[Ecumenical Councils|council]] in Constantinople. But, when Theodosius called the council it was in Ephesus, an area friendly to Cyril. After months of maneuvering the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of 431]] ended with Nestorius removed from office and sent into exile.
