Theologian · Patristic
St. Cyril of Alexandria
c. 376–444 · Alexandrian Christology
Doctor of the Church (declared 1882); “Seal of the Fathers”; presided at the Council of Ephesus.
Patriarch of Alexandria who, against Nestorius, defended Mary's title Theotokos and the single subject of Christ: the one incarnate Word who is born, suffers and dies in his own flesh. His Twelve Anathemas and his letters were received by the Council of Ephesus (431) with the approval of Pope Celestine, and his Commentary on John is a masterpiece of Eucharistic and Trinitarian theology.
Why he matters: The dogma of Mary the Mother of God and the whole orthodox doctrine of the hypostatic union, as later defined at Chalcedon and Constantinople II, rest on him; the Oriental and Chalcedonian churches both claim him.
Where to be careful
His rule in Alexandria was hard and partisan, and his formula “one incarnate nature of the Word” (taken from an Apollinarian forgery he thought Athanasian) was later misused by Monophysites.
Reading
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On the Unity of ChristSt. Cyril of Alexandria · His mature Christology in dialogue form.
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Commentary on John (selections)St. Cyril of Alexandria · The Eucharist and the life-giving flesh.
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St. Cyril of Alexandria: The Christological ControversyJohn McGuckin · History and key texts.
Documented positions
Where this thinker stands on each dispute the test covers.