Cyril of Jerusalem facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Born	c. 313 AD possibly near Caesarea Maritima, Syria Palaestina (Modern-day Israel)
Died	386 AD (aged 73) Jerusalem, Syria Palaestina
Venerated in	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodoxy Anglican Communion Lutheran Church
Feast	18 March (Byzantine Christianity, Catholic Church) 7 May (Byzantine Christianity) (miracle) Paremhat 22 (Coptic Christianity)

Cyril of Jerusalem (born around 313 AD, died 386 AD) was an important religious leader and teacher in the early Christian Church. He became the Bishop of Jerusalem around 350 AD. However, he was sent away from his home city several times. This happened because of disagreements with other church leaders and decisions made by the emperors of the time.

Cyril wrote many important texts. These writings help us understand how new Christians were taught and how church services (called the Liturgy) were performed in his era. Today, Cyril is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. In 1883, Pope Leo XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church. This title is given to saints whose writings and teachings are especially important for the Church.

Cyril's Early Life and Calling

Not much is known about Cyril's early life before he became a bishop. It is believed he was born around 315 AD, possibly near Jerusalem. He studied the writings of early Christian thinkers and also ancient Greek philosophers. This shows he was a very educated person.

Cyril became a deacon (a church helper) around 335 AD. This was under Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem. About eight years later, Bishop Maximus of Jerusalem made him a priest. Around 350 AD, Cyril took over from Maximus as the Bishop of Jerusalem. In his own writings, called the Catecheses, he mentions himself as "bishop."

Cyril's Time as Bishop

Cyril's time as bishop was not always easy. He had many disagreements with another powerful bishop named Acacius of Caesarea. Acacius was a leader of a group called the Arians, who had different beliefs about Jesus. Some historians say Acacius was also jealous of Jerusalem's growing importance as a holy city.

Why Cyril Faced Exile

Acacius accused Cyril of selling church property. Jerusalem was facing a severe food shortage at the time. Church historians say Cyril sold valuable church items, including a special robe given by Emperor Constantine the Great. He did this to help feed the starving people.

For two years, Cyril refused to explain his actions to Acacius. In 357 AD, a church council led by Acacius removed Cyril from his position. Cyril then found safety with Bishop Silvanus in Tarsus.

Returning to Jerusalem

In 359 AD, another council brought Cyril back to Jerusalem. This council also removed Acacius. But in 360 AD, Emperor Constantius reversed this decision, and Cyril was exiled again. He returned in 361 AD when Emperor Julian the Apostate came to power.

Cyril was banished one more time by Emperor Valens in 367 AD. He finally returned to Jerusalem after Valens died in 378 AD. He remained bishop until his own death in 386 AD. In 381 AD, Cyril attended the First Council of Constantinople. At this important meeting, his leadership over Jerusalem was officially confirmed. He also agreed to the Nicene Creed, which defined important Christian beliefs.

Cyril's Teachings and Beliefs

Cyril's teachings were very important for the early Church. He strongly supported the main Christian beliefs, even if his words were sometimes a bit different. He believed in the freedom of human will. He taught that sin comes from our choices, not from our nature. He also stressed the importance of repentance (being sorry for sins).

Like many Eastern Christian leaders, Cyril believed that living a good, moral life was key to being a true Christian. He also had a clear view of the Church. He saw the existing Church as the true one, exactly as Christ intended it.

God's Forgiveness and Healing

Cyril's writings often speak about God's loving and forgiving nature. This was not always common in his time. He wrote beautifully about the healing power of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. For example, he said, "The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden for God is light, very light."

Cyril himself showed great forgiveness throughout his life. Even when he was exiled and disgraced, he never showed anger towards those who wronged him. He focused on themes of healing and new beginnings in his teachings.

Cyril's Famous Lectures

Parallel Greek and Latin versions of Cyril's Catacheses

Cyril is most famous for his twenty-three lectures. He gave these talks to people who were preparing for baptism and to those who had just been baptized.

Catechetical Lectures

The first eighteen lectures are called the Catechetical Lectures. They were likely given around 350 AD. These lectures took place in the Martyrion, a large church built by Emperor Constantine. They taught about the main ideas of Christian faith and practice. Cyril spoke in a simple, caring way, showing his love for the people he was teaching.

Each lecture was based on a Bible passage. Cyril used many Bible quotes. In these lectures, he explained the Nicene Creed (a statement of Christian belief). He also argued against pagan, Jewish, and other Christian beliefs that he considered wrong. These lectures are very important because they show how people were taught Christianity back then. They also give us a detailed look at church services of that time.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice

In his 13th lecture, Cyril talks about Jesus' Crucifixion and burial. He focused on the idea of Original sin and how Jesus sacrificed himself to save us from our sins. He also spoke about Jesus' burial and Resurrection three days later. This, he taught, proved Jesus' divine nature and God's loving heart.

Cyril believed that Jesus went to his death willingly and with full knowledge. He also taught that Jesus forgave everyone who betrayed him or took part in his execution. Cyril wrote, "who did not sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth, who, when he was reviled, did not revile, when he suffered did not threaten." This shows Cyril's belief in Jesus' selfless love.

Mystagogic Catecheses

The last five lectures are called the Mystagogic Catecheses. These were given to the newly baptized. They explained the Christian mysteries or Sacraments, such as Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Scholars believe Cyril wrote these lectures later in his life, perhaps in the 370s or 380s.

According to a Spanish traveler named Egeria, these lectures were given during Easter Week in the Church of the Anastasis.

Cyril's View on the End Times

Cyril lived in a time when many Christians expected the world to end soon. They looked for signs of this in every event. Cyril himself spent much of his time as bishop in exile. Some historians suggest that focusing on the coming of the antichrist helped leaders keep control when their position was uncertain.

Signs in the Sky

Soon after becoming bishop, Cyril wrote a letter in 351 AD. In it, he described a cross of light appearing in the sky above Golgotha. Everyone in Jerusalem saw this miracle. The Greek church celebrates this event on May 7th. Cyril saw this as a sign of support for the emperor and as a sign that the Second Coming of Jesus would happen soon in Jerusalem. For Cyril, Jerusalem was always a central place in these end-time events.

Cyril also saw other events as signs. The Bible speaks of "wars and reports of wars" before the End Times. Cyril saw Emperor Julian's war with the Persians in this way. The Bible also mentions "earthquakes from place to place." Jerusalem had an earthquake in 363 AD, when Julian was trying to rebuild the temple there. Cyril even saw disagreements within the church as a sign of Jesus' coming.

Cyril looked forward to the Second Coming of Jesus. He believed it would bring an end to the current world and create a new one. He expected to be part of the resurrection if it happened after his death.

See also

In Spanish: Cirilo de Jerusalén para niños

• Liturgy of Saint James
• Descriptions in antiquity of the execution cross
• Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, patron saint archive