The Works of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, vol. 2
Overview
Cyril’s life of some seventy years, placed in the very center of the fourth century, epitomizes much that was characteristic of the period and the locale. Bishop of Jerusalem for nearly forty years, he experienced three expulsions from his see, these due as much to politico-ecclesiastical rivalry as to his participation in the contemporary theological controversies, in which Cyril played an important and still disputed role. The present volume carries about half of the bishop’s most valuable production, a series of catechetical lectures for Lent and Easter week.
This volume includes the remaining six lectures for catechists and the five Mystogogical Lectures.
For The Fathers of the Church series in its entirety, see Fathers of the Church Series (127 vols.).
Key Features
- Clear teaching that illustrates the theological emphases of fourth century Jerusalem/li>
- Provides background on St. Cyril
- One of 127 published volumes in a well-respected series on the Church Fathers
Top Highlights
“The grace was not partial, but His power in all its fullness. For just as one immersed in the waters in Baptism is completely encompassed by the water, so they too were completely baptized by the Spirit. The water encompasses the body externally, but the Holy Spirit baptizes the soul perfectly within. Why do you wonder? Take an example from matter, a poor and lowly one perhaps, but useful for the simpler folk. If fire, penetrating the mass of iron, sets the whole aflame, and what was cold becomes hot, and what was black becomes bright—if the body of fire penetrates the body of iron, why do you wonder, if the Holy Spirit enters into the inmost parts of the soul?” (Page 105)
“I confess the Cross, because I know of the Resurrection; had the Cross been the end, perhaps I would not have confessed it, but concealed both it and my Master; however, since the Cross was followed by the Resurrection, I am not ashamed to avow it.” (Page 6)
“Let us not fear the demons nor the devil, for our Defender is mightier; let us but open up the doors to Him; for He goes about seeking those worthy, seeking to whom He may impart His gifts.” (Page 88)
“Next, when the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless worship, has been completed,27 over that sacrifice of propitiation we” (Page 197)
“Some have regarded the dove of Noe as prefiguring this dove.36 In Noe’s time salvation and the beginning of a new generation came to men through wood and water; the dove returned at evening carrying a bough of an olive tree; so the Holy Spirit, they say, descended upon the true Noe, the author of the second birth, who unites the aspirations of all nations, of whom the animals in the ark were a figure.” (Page 102)
About Cyril of Jerusalem
Cyril of Jerusalem (313–386) Little is known of the circumstances of St. Cyril’s birth. He was ordained a deacon in 335 and a priest eight years later by St. Maximus. He succeeded Maximus as bishop of Jerusalem in 350. During his tenure as bishop he was expelled from his see three times. He died in 386 after holding the position for nearly 40 years. He was elevated to Doctor of the Church in 1883.