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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 ==
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 manuevering the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of 431]] ended with Nestorius being removed from office and sent into exile.
Cyril died on [[June 27]], 444, but the controversies were to continue for decades, from the [[Robber Council of Ephesus]] in 449 to the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] in 451 and beyond.
