Cyril of Jerusalem 		March 18
Bishop, Teacher of the Faith
Cyril was born, probably in Caesarea, about 315 and became bishop of Jerusalem about 349. During the fourth century, the adoption of Christianity by the emperor Constantine gave prominence to the church, and brought attention to the places of Jesus’ ministry in Palestine with the “discovery” of many relics. At the same time, the growing interest in asceticism and pilgrimage greatly increased the number of people in Palestine. Jerusalem, rebuilt and renamed Aelia Capitolina following its destruction in 70 and 135 CE, was now becoming a significant Christian centre.
During the theological controversies of the fourth century, Cyril was faithful to the theology of Nicea. In the political wrangles that accompanied the theological debates, he more than once found himself out of favour, both with the dominant Arian tradition of the eastern part of the empire and also with the western supporters of the Nicene tradition. His support for the Nicene party alienated him from the Arian faction, but his dislike of the Nicene catch word “homoousios” (“of one substance with the Father”) as un-Scriptural made him suspect in the eyes of the supporters of Nicea. On three occasions he was exiled from Jerusalem. The triumph of the Nicene party in 381 gave Cyril several peaceful years in Jerusalem before his death in 386.
In the fourth century, the instruction of Christian converts was an elaborate process. In his Catechetical Lectures, Cyril provided a substantial course on the Christian faith. These lectures, based on the articles of the creed, were delivered during the weeks of preparation for baptism, which always took place at Easter. After Easter, Cyril gave a further series of lectures on the sacraments, called the Mystagogical Catecheses.
The many pilgrims coming to Jerusalem probably provided the stimulus that made the church there under Cyril a major centre of liturgical innovation, particularly in the celebration of the Christian year, with an emphasis on the events of Holy Week and Easter. Devotions were developed for the pilgrims at the different sites associated with Jesus’ ministry, passion, death and resurrection.
For Liturgical Use
Cyril was born about 315 and became bishop of Jerusalem about 349. He made a significant contribution to theology with the instructions on the Christian faith he gave to converts. He helped the development of the church’s worship with the services he organised through the Christian year for the pilgrims flocking to the Holy Land to visit the places associated with Jesus’ life. He died in 386.
Sentence
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. 	Isaiah 48:17
Collects
Loving God,
by your grace your servant Cyril of Jerusalem
became a great teacher and leader of your church;
grant that we may learn from his example
and be faithful to our baptism, 
offering you the worship of mind and heart;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praise to you, holy God,
praise to you for Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem,
for his artistry in administering the sacraments,
for his imagination in using the holy places;
thrill us, too, with what is holy.
Psalms	84	122
Readings
Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6	Rely on wisdom
1 Timothy 4:11-16		Sound teaching
Luke 24:44-48		Beginning from Jerusalem
Post Communion Sentence
God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.	Colossians 1:27