Cyril was born in Jerusalem in about the
year 315 and became bishop in about 349.
He lived in tumultuous times, and was exiled three times, once by the
Athanasians and twice by the Arians. He
attended the Council of Constantinople in 381 and supported the Athanasian view
of the Trinity.
Cyril is important to us chiefly for three
things. It is believed that he was the
author of the precursor to the Nicene Creed we use today. Secondly, he organized activities for
pilgrims and much of what we do during Holy Week comes from what was done in Jerusalem during his
Episcopate. (An account by a Spanish nun
is available here: http://www.ccel.org/m/mcclure/etheria/etheria.htm) Thirdly, he is the author of a series of
lectures (18 for Lent and five for Easter) given to candidates for baptism and
the newly baptised. These probably do
not exist in the original form, but he is the original author. (They can be ordered here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0913836397/bookofcommonprayA/ or viewed here: http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/4/St._Cyril_of_Jerusalem.html)
Collect: Heavenly
Father, you raised up Cyril as Patriarch of Yerushalayim to guide Bishops and
Presbyters in their calling to be teachers and ministers of the
sacraments. Raise up in this and every
generation Bishops and Presbyters who will faithfully instruct your people in
practical Christian faith and living.
This we ask through the author and perfecter of our faith, Yeshuah
haMoshiach our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one
God in glory everlasting. Amen. (white)
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