Cyril << SIHR uhl >> of Alexandria, Saint (378?-444), was the most outstanding Christian theologian of the early 400’s. Cyril formulated what became known as the orthodox doctrine of the Incarnation. This doctrine deals with Jesus as both divine and human. For Cyril, salvation depended upon the proper understanding of how God made Himself human in the person of Jesus.
Cyril was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Little is known of his early life. In 412, Cyril succeeded his uncle, Archbishop Theophilus, in the see (bishop’s seat) of Alexandria. Cyril attacked Jews, Christian heretics, and pagans with great vigor, and quarreled with the Roman urban prefect. He had the Jews expelled from Alexandria.
In 429, Cyril attacked Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople, for denying that the Virgin Mary was the mother of God. He believed Nestorius was denying that Jesus was both human and divine. In 431, with the support of Pope Saint Celestine I, Cyril persuaded the Council of Ephesus to condemn Nestorius and to accept Cyril’s interpretation of the doctrine of Jesus.
Cyril died on June 22, 444. His feast day is February 9.
