Cyril of Alexandria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cyril of Alexandria |
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St Cyril of Alexandria, Patriarch, and Confessor
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| Archdiocese | Alexandria |
| See | Alexandria |
| Predecessor | St. Theophilus of Alexandria |
| Successor | Dioscorus the Great "The Champion of Orthodoxy" |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 376
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| Died | 444 (aged 67–68) Alexandria |
| Sainthood | |
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| Venerated in |
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| Title as Saint | The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith and also (in the Catholic Church) Doctor of the Church |
| Attributes | Vested as a bishop with phelonion and omophorion, and usually with his head covered in the manner of Egyptian monastics (sometimes the head covering has a polystavrion pattern), he usually is depicted holding a Gospel Book or a scroll, with his right hand raised in blessing. |
| Patronage | Alexandria |
Cyril of Alexandria (born around 376 – died 444) was a very important leader in the early Christian Church. He served as the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. Alexandria was a powerful city in the Roman Empire at that time.
Cyril wrote many books and was a key figure in big discussions about Jesus Christ and his nature. These discussions are called Christological controversies. He played a central role at the Council of Ephesus in 431. This meeting led to Nestorius being removed as the leader of the church in Constantinople.
Cyril is known as one of the Church Fathers and a Doctor of the Church. He earned titles like Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers. However, some bishops at the Council of Ephesus disagreed with him. They even called him a "monster" because of their strong disagreements.
Cyril was involved in some tough situations. He closed some churches of a group called Novatians. He also asked Jewish people to leave Alexandria. He was part of tensions that led to the death of a famous philosopher named Hypatia. Historians still debate how much he was responsible for this event.
Cyril's feast day is celebrated on different dates by various Christian churches. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates him on 9 June and 18 January. The Catholic Church and Coptic Church celebrate him on 27 June.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Not much is known about Cyril's early life. He was born around 376 in Didouseya, Egypt. This area is now known as El-Mahalla El-Kubra. His uncle, Theophilus, became the powerful Patriarch of Alexandria.
Cyril's mother stayed close to her brother. Under his uncle's guidance, Cyril received a good education. His writings show he knew a lot about Christian writers of his time. He studied grammar, rhetoric, and theology.
In 403, Cyril went with his uncle to a meeting called the "Synod of the Oak" in Constantinople. At this meeting, John Chrysostom was removed as the Archbishop of Constantinople. Cyril's uncle, Theophilus, had some disagreements with Chrysostom.
Becoming Patriarch of Alexandria
Theophilus died on 15 October 412. Cyril became the Patriarch of Alexandria just three days later, on 18 October 412. His appointment happened after a riot between his supporters and those who supported his rival, Archdeacon Timotheus.
Cyril took over a very powerful role. The Patriarch of Alexandria was almost as influential as the city's governor. Alexandria was a busy city with many different groups of people. Cyril began to use his authority soon after becoming Patriarch.
Cyril's Beliefs and Teachings
Cyril believed that God becoming human in Jesus Christ was incredibly powerful. He taught that this event changed human nature itself. It made it possible for believers to become more like God and gain immortality.
Cyril strongly emphasized that it was God who lived as a man in Nazareth. This is why he believed Mary, Jesus's mother, should be called Theotokos. This Greek word means "God-bearer" or "Mother of God."
Nestorius, another church leader, had different ideas. He saw Jesus's human life as more of an example for people to follow. Cyril thought Nestorius separated Jesus's human and divine sides too much. Cyril believed this made Jesus seem like two separate beings.
The main disagreement between Cyril and Nestorius was about Mary's title. But the real issue was about Jesus himself. It wasn't about honoring Mary, but about understanding how Jesus was born and who he truly was.
Cyril taught that God is one divine being but exists in three distinct ways: the Father, the Son (or Word), and the Holy Spirit. When the Son became human, his divine nature and human nature joined together. They became one in the person of Jesus. This idea is sometimes called "One Nature united out of two."
Cyril argued that God the Word truly suffered and died on the Cross. He believed that the divine part of Jesus was truly present in his human body. It wasn't just a connection or a moral example.
Important Writings
Cyril was a very learned leader and wrote many books. In his early years, he wrote several documents explaining parts of the Bible. These included Commentaries on the Old Testament and Commentary on St. John's Gospel.
As the discussions about Jesus's nature grew, Cyril wrote even more. His writings and ideas are still very important for the Christian faith today.
Some of his well-known works include:
- Becoming Temples of God
- Second Epistle of Cyril to Nestorius
- Third Epistle of Cyril to Nestorius (which included twelve strong statements against Nestorius's views)
- Five tomes against Nestorius
- That Christ is One
- Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
- Commentary on the Gospel of John
His writings helped shape Christian understanding of Jesus. The Second Council of Constantinople (in 553 AD) praised Saint Cyril. They said he "announced the right faith of Christians."
Images for kids
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St Cyril of Alexandria, Patriarch, and Confessor
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Icon of St. Cyril of Alexandria
See also
In Spanish: Cirilo de Alejandría para niños
- Catholic Church in Egypt
- Dyophysitism
- General Roman Calendar
- List of early Christian saints
- Saint Cyril of Alexandria, patron saint archive
