Difference between revisions of "Cyril of Alexandria"

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Our father among the saints, Archbishop '''Cyril of Alexandria''' was the Archbishop 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 Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431 which led to disposing Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople. Cyril is among the patristic fathers and his reputation within the Orthodox Christian world has led to him acquiring the title ‘Seal of all the Fathers.
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Our father among the [[saint]]s, Archbishop '''Cyril of Alexandria''' was the [[Archbishop]] 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 disposing Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople. Cyril is among the patristic fathers and his reputation within the Orthodox Christian world has led to him acquiring the title 'Seal of all the Fathers.'  His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[June 9]] and, with Saint [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], on [[January 18]].
  
 
== Life ==
 
== Life ==
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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 Archbishop 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 Eusebeus, [[Origen]], Didimus, and writers of the Alexandrian church. He showed an apparent 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.
  
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 a position of a powerful Archbishop 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 Eusebeus, [[Origen]], Didimus, and writers of the Alexandrian church. He show an apparent 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.
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He was [[ordination|ordained]] [[Lector]] by his uncle, Theophilus, in the Church of Alexandria and, under his uncle's guidance, advanced in knowledge and position. He supported in uncle in the removal of [[John Chrysostom]] as Archbishop of Constantinople, although this was justified as an administrative, not doctrinal, issue, as later Cyril supported John's rehabilitation as when he contrasted to the imperial court Nestorius' unorthodoxy to John's purity of doctrine.   
He was ordained Lector by his uncle, Theophilus, in the Church of Alexandria and, under his uncle guidance advanced in knowledge and position. He supported in uncle in the removal of John Chrysostom as Archbishop of Constantinople, although this was justified as an administrative, not doctrinal, issue, as later Cyril supported John’s rehabilitation as when he contrasted to the imperial court Nestorius’ unorthodoxy to John’s purity of doctrine.   
 
  
Theophilus died on [[October 15]], 412 and Cyril was made archbishop 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 Archbishop of Alexandria in the position that had become powerful and influential, rivaling that of the city Prefect.  
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Theophilus died on [[October 15]], 412, and Cyril was made archbishop 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 Archbishop of Alexandria in the position that had become powerful and influential, rivaling that of the city Prefect.  
  
His early years as Archbishop was caught up in the problems of a cosmopolitan city where the animosities among the various Christian factions, Jews, and pagans brought frequent violence. In addition, there was the rivalry between Alexandria and Constantinople and a clash between Alexandrian and 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
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His early years as Archbishop was 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 and 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]].
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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 for office and sent to exile.
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Cyril died on [[June 27]], 444, but the controversies were to continue for decades, to the Councils of Ephesus of 449 and of [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Chalcedon]] of 456.
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== Legacy ==
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As noted above, Cyril was a scholarly archbishop and a prolific writer. In the early years of his active life in the Church he wrote several exegeses. Among these were: ''Commentaries on the Old Testament'', ''Thesaurus'', ''Discourse Against Arians'', ''Commentary on St. John's Gospel'', and ''Dialogues on the Trinity''. In 429 as the Christological controversies increased, his output of writings was that which his opponents could not match. His writings and his theology have remained central to tradition of the Fathers and to all Orthodox even up today.
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== Sources ==
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*McGuckin, John A. ''St. Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy''. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2004. ISBN 0-88141-259-7
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[[Category:Bishops]]
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[[Category:Church Fathers]]
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[[Category:Saints]]

Revision as of 19:09, July 2, 2005

Our father among the saints, Archbishop Cyril of Alexandria was the Archbishop 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 Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431 which led to disposing Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople. Cyril is among the patristic fathers and his reputation within the Orthodox Christian world has led to him acquiring the title 'Seal of all the Fathers.' His feast day is celebrated on June 9 and, with Saint 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 Archbishop 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 Eusebeus, Origen, Didimus, and writers of the Alexandrian church. He showed an apparent 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 ordained Lector by his uncle, Theophilus, in the Church of Alexandria and, under his uncle's guidance, advanced in knowledge and position. He supported in uncle in the removal of John Chrysostom as Archbishop of Constantinople, although this was justified as an administrative, not doctrinal, issue, as later Cyril supported John's rehabilitation as when he contrasted to the imperial court Nestorius' unorthodoxy to John's purity of doctrine.

Theophilus died on October 15, 412, and Cyril was made archbishop 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 Archbishop of Alexandria in the position that had become powerful and influential, rivaling that of the city Prefect.

His early years as Archbishop was caught up in the problems of a cosmopolitan city where the animosities among the various Christian factions, Jews, and pagans brought frequent violence. In addition, there was the rivalry between Alexandria and Constantinople and a clash between Alexandrian and 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 council in Constantinople. But, when Theodosius called the council it was in Ephesus, an area friendly to Cyril. After months of maneuvering the Council of 431 ended with Nestorius removed for office and sent to exile.

Cyril died on June 27, 444, but the controversies were to continue for decades, to the Councils of Ephesus of 449 and of Chalcedon of 456.

Legacy

As noted above, Cyril was a scholarly archbishop and a prolific writer. In the early years of his active life in the Church he wrote several exegeses. Among these were: Commentaries on the Old Testament, Thesaurus, Discourse Against Arians, Commentary on St. John's Gospel, and Dialogues on the Trinity. In 429 as the Christological controversies increased, his output of writings was that which his opponents could not match. His writings and his theology have remained central to tradition of the Fathers and to all Orthodox even up today.

Sources

  • McGuckin, John A. St. Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2004. ISBN 0-88141-259-7