Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Bishop of Jerusalem and author of lectures for those preparing for baptism
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop, Doctor of the Church
- Life
- ~313 – ~386
- Era
- 4th century
- Feast
- 18 March
- Countries
- Palestinian Territories, Israel
Life story
Cyril was born around 313 in or near Jerusalem. He was ordained a priest under Bishop Maximus and succeeded him as bishop of Jerusalem around 350. His term fell in a period when the Church was divided over arguments on the Trinity and on the relationship between Christ and God the Father.
He came into conflict with Bishop Acacius of Caesarea, who held authority over Jerusalem, and was afterwards deposed and exiled three times, once under the emperor Valens. He returned to his see each time. In 381 he attended the Council of Constantinople, where he was accepted as the rightful bishop of Jerusalem.
He is best remembered for his Catechetical Lectures, made up of eighteen sermons for candidates preparing for baptism during Lent and five for the newly baptised after Easter. They were delivered at Jerusalem, among the holy places, and show how converts were prepared, how the Creed was explained and how the liturgy was celebrated there. Whether the last five were really by him or by his successor John is still debated.
He died on 18 March 386, though some sources say 387. Pope Leo XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1883. His day of remembrance is 18 March. Cyril also lived through the age when Jerusalem was being transformed by the building of great churches on the sites traditionally linked to Jesus, under the emperor Constantine. His lectures speak of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and of Golgotha as places his audience could visit, which makes them a source for the topography and worship of the city.
Works and witness
- Bishop of Jerusalem from about 350
- Exiled three times in the disputes of the period
- Attended the Council of Constantinople in 381
- Delivered the Catechetical Lectures to candidates and the newly baptised
- Named a Doctor of the Church in 1883
Saints from the same country
References
- Cyril of Jerusalem, Catecheses
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Britannica – Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.