Cyril of Jerusalem

Cyril of Jerusalem was a fourth-century bishop and theologian who defended Nicene Christianity and instructed Christian initiates through influential catechetical lectures.

Nicene Creed: A Christian statement of faith adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 and expanded at Constantinople in 381. Cyril’s theology affirmed the creed’s confession that the Son is of one essence with the Father.
Procatechesis: An introductory address preparing catechumens for formal Christian instruction. Cyril opens his lecture series by urging candidates to prepare seriously for baptism.
Eusebius of Caesarea: A fourth-century bishop and historian whose writings shaped Christian accounts of the early church. Eusebius consecrated Cyril as bishop of Jerusalem, according to ancient accounts.
John of Jerusalem: A late fourth-century bishop of Jerusalem involved in disputes over Origenist theology. John succeeded Cyril and defended his church’s standing during disputes with Jerome.
Mystagogy: The interpretation of religious rites as disclosures of sacred meaning. Cyril’s post-baptismal teaching became a major early Christian example of mystagogy.
Catechesis: Systematic instruction in Christian belief and practice, especially for people preparing for baptism. His lectures are among the most substantial surviving examples of early Christian catechesis.
Catechetical Lectures of Cyril of Jerusalem: A series of fourth-century Christian instructions on doctrine, scripture, baptism, and the Eucharist. These lectures are the principal surviving record of Cyril’s teaching method.
Acacius of Caesarea: A fourth-century bishop of Caesarea and leading opponent of Nicene theology. His conflict with Cyril over jurisdiction and doctrine contributed to Cyril’s repeated exiles.
Jerome: A Latin Christian scholar and translator of the Bible who lived from about 347 to 420. Jerome’s criticism of Jerusalem’s bishops reveals the polemical setting of Cyril’s later reputation.
Real presence: The belief that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, rather than represented only symbolically. Cyril’s Eucharistic instruction is often cited in discussions of early Christian belief about communion.

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