From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
June 27th - St Cyril of Alexandria
(b. 376 at Alexandria, Egypt. d. 444 at Alexandria, Egypt of natural
causes, his relics are in Alexandria). Bishop, Confessor, Writer,
Defender of the Faith.
On June 27, Roman Catholics honour St. Cyril of Alexandria. An
Egyptian bishop and theologian, he is best known for his role in the
Council of Ephesus, where the Church confirmed that Christ is both God
and man in one person.
Cyril was most likely born in Alexandria, the metropolis of ancient
Egypt, between 370 and 380. From his writings, it appears he received
a solid literary and theological education. Along with his uncle,
Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria, he played a role in an early
fifth-century dispute between the Egyptian and Greek churches. There
is evidence he may have been a monk before becoming a bishop.
When Theophilus died in 412, Cyril was chosen to succeed him at the
head of the Egyptian Church. He continued his uncle's policy of
insisting on Alexandria's preeminence within the Church over
Constantinople, despite the political prominence of the imperial
capital. The two Eastern churches eventually re-established communion
in approximately 418.
Ten years later, however, a theological dispute caused a new break
between Alexandria and Constantinople. Cyril's reputation as a
theologian, and later Doctor of the Church, arose from his defense of
Catholic orthodoxy during this time.
In 428, a monk named Nestorius became the new Patriarch of
Constantinople. It became clear that Nestorius was not willing to use
the term =E2=80=9CMother of God=E2=80=9D (=E2=80=9CTheotokos=E2=80=9D) to d= escribe the Virgin Mary.
Instead, he insisted on the term =E2=80=9CMother of Christ=E2=80=9D (=E2=80= =9CChristotokos=E2=80=9D).
During the fourth century, the Greek Church had already held two
ecumenical councils to confirm Christ's eternal preexistence as God
prior to his incarnation as a man. From this perennial belief, it
followed logically that Mary was the mother of God. Veneration of Mary
as =E2=80=9CTheotokos=E2=80=9D confirmed the doctrine of the incarnation, a=
nd Christ's
status as equal to the God the Father. Nestorius insisted that he,
too, held these doctrines. But to Cyril, and many others, his refusal
to acknowledge Mary as the Mother of God seemed to reveal a heretical
view of Christ which would split him into two united but distinct
persons: one fully human and born of Mary, the other fully divine and
not subject to birth or death.
Cyril responded to this heretical tendency first through a series of
letters to Nestorius (which are still in existence and studied today),
then through an appeal to the Pope, and finally through the summoning
of an ecumenical council in 431. Cyril presided over this council,
stating that he was =E2=80=9Cfilling the place of the most holy and blessed Archbishop of the Roman Church,=E2=80=9D Pope Celestine, who had authorised
it.
The council was a tumultuous affair. Patriarch John of Antioch, a
friend of Nestorius, came to the city and convened a rival council
which sought to condemn and depose Cyril. Tension between the
advocates of Cyril and Nestorius erupted into physical violence at
times and both parties sought to convince the emperor in
Constantinople to back their position.
During the council, which ran from June 22 to July 31 of the year 431,
Cyril brilliantly defended the orthodox belief in Christ as a single
eternally divine person who also became incarnate as a man. The
council condemned Nestorius, who was deposed as patriarch and later
suffered exile. Cyril, however, reconciled with John and many of the
other Antiochian theologians who once supported Nestorius.
St. Cyril of Alexandria died on June 27, 444, having been a bishop for
nearly 32 years. Long celebrated as a saint, particularly in the
Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, he was declared a
Doctor of the Church in 1883.
Attributes =E2=80=93 book, pen or scroll, indicative of his work as a writ= er,
the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, representing his
advocacy of the doctrine of Mary as Mother of God.
Patron of Alexandria, Egypt.
By Anastpaul
Bible Quote:
Do you not see that your bodies are members of Christ? [1 Cor 7:15]
REFLECTION
=E2=80=9CAll of us are united with Christ inasmuch as we have received Him
Who is one and indivisible in our bodies. Therefore, we owe the
service of our members to Him rather than to ourselves.=E2=80=9D
--St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Doctor and Father of the Church
PRAYER
Almighty God and Father, help me to put all my faculties at the
disposal of Christ so as to be His link to others and with the world
around me. Let me give myself wholly to Him this day and every day. St
Cyril of Alexandria, defender of the divinity of Christ and the Mother
of God, intercede for us, amen.
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PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE QUEEN OF PEACE
Most holy and immaculate Virgin,
Mother of Jesus and our loving Mother,
being his Mother,
you shared in His universal kingship.
The prophets and angels proclaimed Him King of peace.
With loving fervour in our hearts
we salute and honor you as Queen of peace.
We pray that your intercession
may protect us and all people from hate and discord,
and direct our hearts into the ways of peace and justice
which your Son taught and exemplified.
We ask your maternal care for our Holy Father
who works to reconcile the nations in peace.
We seek your guidance for our Head of State
and other Leaders as they strive for world peace.
Glorious Queen of peace,
grant us peace in our hearts,
harmony in our families
and concord throughout the world.
Immaculate Mother,
as patroness of our beloved country,
watch over us and protect us
with your motherly love.
Amen.
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