Cyril of Alexandria

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“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1: 14. The verse that has inspired and bewildered Christians for centuries. Since its occurrence, church members and theologians have marveled at the principle of the Incarnation. How could God, perfect, sinless, unable to suffer, become sinful, corruptible flesh, and suffer ultimate punishment for the sins of man? This is the same question that puzzled many early church fathers, and the one that most potently effected Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. It led to intense church controversy, leaving Cyril a legacy and a reputation still impressed upon him today, and leaving another church leader disgraced in the depths of heresy. But before studying Cyril’s main theological conflict, one must first understand the circumstances and experiences that lead him to that point.
When Cyril was born in 376 AD, he would not be the first member of his family to become a significant leader in the early church. His own uncle, Theophilus, was the Pope of Alexandria at the time, predecessor to Cyril. Cyril finally did take over leadership, despite the opinions of some area politicians (Litfin, 2007), at a turbulent time in Christianity, both in Alexandria and around the Christian world. Growing dissention and violence were rearing their heads between Christian and pagan leaders, and amongst different groups within the church itself. In a sad blemish on his legacy, Cyril did not end this tradition. Soon after coming to power, he proceeded to drive out the Jewish population from Alexandria. Not much later, his followers murdered a popular Neo-Platonist philosopher named Hypatia, stirring up intense controversy between opposing religious sects of the city (Butler, 2003). These controversies would sev...

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...e from Cyril is not limited to his writings and theology, however. A careful look at the cause and effect of some of his actions can also yield useful knowledge that pertains to carrying out the Christian life.

Bibliography
Butler, A. (2003). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Collegevile, MN: Liturgical Press.
Cyril. (c. 429). Epistle to Nestorious.
Cyril. (c. 429). XII Anathematisms Against Nestorious.
Cyril. (n.d.). On the Unity of Christ.
Gonzalez, J. L. (1970). A History of Christian Thought: From the beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Litfin, B. M. (2007). Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press.
McGuckin, J. A. (1995). On the Unity of Christ/ Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
Nestorious. (c. 429). Anathematisms Against Cyril.

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