Born in Jerusalem in the 3rd century, he grew up with an education in his faith and in philosophy. 

Cyril became a priest and was ordained by the Bishop of Jerusalem. Eventually, he became the Bishop of Jerusalem himself. 

Arianism, which denied the Divinity of Christ, was spreading rapidly, and among those who had supported Cyril’s election as Bishop, was the Arian Bishop of Caesarea, Acacius. 

When it became clear Cyril was not going to support Arianism, Acacius led an effort that resulted in Cyril being driven out of Jerusalem. 

Though he later was cleared and restored, it took a long time, eleven years. 

Half of the time he was Bishop of Jerusalem, Cyril was in exile. 

When he finally did return, Cyril found Jerusalem in crisis. Crime was rampant and so was schism and heresy. 

It was so difficult that even St. Gregory, who had been sent to help, left in despair. 

Both Cyril and St. Gregory went to the Council of Constantinople, where the Nicene Creed was proposed in 381. There, he accepted the word “consubstantial”: that Christ is of the same Substance and Nature as The Father. 

Embattled and attacked, Cyril managed to hold The Church in Jerusalem together, during an extremely difficult time. 

He died in 386 and was named a Doctor of The Church in 1822. 

St. Cyril, please pray for us.