St. Cyril of Alexandria (about 376–444), patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt, is the theologian who defended the unity of Christ, true God and true man in one person, and the title of the Virgin Mary as Theotokos, “Mother of God,” against Nestorius, the archbishop of Constantinople. He presided over the Council of Ephesus in 431, which solemnly proclaimed Mary the Mother of God, and his writings shaped all later teaching on the Incarnation, earning him the title “Doctor of the Incarnation.” Pope Leo XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1882. His feast day is June 27. Below are his story, his words, and a prayer to St. Cyril.
A short prayer to St. Cyril of Alexandria, written for this page:
St. Cyril, you defended the truth that the Son of Mary is the Son of God.
Help me to honor Mary as the Mother of God and to adore her Son,
true God and true man, with my whole heart. Amen.
Who was St. Cyril of Alexandria?
Cyril was born in Egypt around 376 and was trained by his uncle, Theophilus, patriarch of Alexandria, whom he succeeded in 412. Around 428 Nestorius, the new archbishop of Constantinople, began to teach that Mary should be called only “Mother of Christ,” not “Mother of God,” because, he said, she gave birth to the man Jesus, not to God. Cyril saw that this divided Christ into two persons. In letters to Nestorius he explained that the eternal Word truly became flesh, so that the one born of Mary is God, and Mary is truly the Mother of God.
Pope Celestine I supported Cyril, and the Emperor called a council at Ephesus in 431. Under Cyril’s presidency the bishops condemned Nestorius and proclaimed Mary Theotokos, while the people of Ephesus escorted the bishops through the streets with torches. In 433 Cyril made peace with the bishops of Antioch in a formula of reunion. He died on June 27, 444. His time as patriarch was also marked by violent conflicts in Alexandria, including the murder of the philosopher Hypatia by a Christian mob in 415, and historians still debate how far he was responsible; the Church honors him for his teaching on Christ.
“Mother of God (Theotokos)”
The first of the twelve anathemas Cyril sent to Nestorius, read at the Council of Ephesus:
If anyone will not confess that the Emmanuel is very God, and that therefore the Holy Virgin is the Mother of God (Theotokos), inasmuch as in the flesh she bore the Word of God made flesh [as it is written, “The Word was made flesh”] let him be anathema.
The angel’s words that the Church read in the light of Ephesus (Luke 1:31–35, Douay-Rheims):
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?
And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
See the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
Feast day
The optional memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and Doctor of the Church, is June 27, the day of his death.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mary called the Mother of God?
Because the Son she bore is one divine person, the eternal Word made flesh; the Council of Ephesus (431) defended this title against Nestorius.
What is St. Cyril of Alexandria known for?
His defense of the unity of Christ and of Mary’s title Theotokos at the Council of Ephesus.
When is his feast day?
June 27.
More
- Doctors of the Church
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- Hail Mary prayer
- Catholic prayers to Mary
- St. Athanasius
- Saint of the day
Texts and sources
- Cyril of Alexandria, Twelve Anathematisms, I, trans. H. R. Percival, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, vol. 14 (1900), public domain (Wikisource).
- Luke 1:31–35 (Douay-Rheims).