Cyril the exiled saint

Saint Cyril served as Bishop of Jerusalem from 350-386 AD. His teachings are deeply rooted in the Catechism and Canon Law, and he is known, in particular, for his catechetical lectures which offer profound insights into the sacraments; baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist.

He succeeded Maximus as Bishop of Jerusalem, but was exiled several times due to the animosity of Acacius of Caesarea, and the policies of various emperors. Little is known of his life before he became a bishop. He was born around 315 AD and one report has Cyril’s birth at or near Jerusalem.

Cyril was well-read in both the writings of the early Christian theologians and the Greek philosophers and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem in about 335 AD and a priest eight years later by Bishop Maximus.

Around the end of 350 AD, he succeeded Maximus as bishop. However, relations between Bishop Acacius of Caesarea and Cyril became strained. Tension may have been the result of Acacius’s jealousy of the importance assigned to Cyril’s See by the Council of Nicaea. The threat posed to Caesarea by the rising influence of the seat of Jerusalem as it developed into the main Christian holy place and a centre of pilgrimage could have fuelled the increased hostilities.

Acacius charged Cyril with selling church property. Jerusalem had suffered drastic food shortages which church historians Sozomen and Theodoret said, “Cyril secretly sold sacramental ornaments of the church and a valuable holy robe, fashioned with gold thread that the emperor Constantine had once donated for the bishop to wear when he performed the rite of Baptism”, possibly to keep people from starving.

For two years, Cyril resisted Acacius’ summons to explain his actions, but a church council held under Acacius’s influence in 357 deposed Cyril in his absence, and Cyril took refuge with Silvanus, Bishop of Tarsus. In 359, in an atmosphere more hostile to Acacius, the Council of Seleucia reinstated Cyril and deposed Acacius. However, this decision was reversed by Emperor Constantius the following year.

Cyril’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when he was again exiled from Jerusalem until the Emperor Julian’s accession allowed him to return in 361. Six years later Cyril was once again banished from Jerusalem by the Arian Emperor Valens but returned after Valens’s death in 378. In 380, Gregory of Nyssa came to Jerusalem on the recommendation of a council held at Antioch.

He reportedly found the people’s faith was generally in ‘good shape’, but worried that the city was exposed to parties and corrupt morals.  

Cyril’s jurisdiction over Jerusalem was confirmed by the First Council of Constantinople (381). At that council he voted for acceptance of the term homoousios (which defined the nature between ‘God the Father’, and ‘God the Son’, having been finally convinced that there was no better alternative. His story is perhaps best representative of those Eastern bishops initially mistrustful of Nicaea, who came to accept the creed of that council, and the doctrine of the homoousion.

Cyril left important writings documenting the instruction of catechumens and the order of the Liturgy. He also encouraged believers to be more aware, not just about what they believe, but why they believe. He also taught extensively on The Lord’s Prayer, reminding people how Jesus himself gave this prayer to his disciples when asked how we should pray. This reflects Cyril’s belief that scripture must guide all aspects of worship.

Despite facing many challenges including exile due to theological disputes during Arian controversy, Saint Cyril remained steadfastly faithful demonstrating resilience reminiscent of Paul’s words. His writings continue guiding the Catholic faithful towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of their faith.

Cyril’s feast day is held on March 18.