Cyril of Alexandria
c. 376 – 444 · Alexandria (Egypt)
Patriarch, Father and Doctor of the Church
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
The patriarch who defended Mary's title Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus.
Why this person matters
He insisted that Jesus is one person, truly God and truly man — which is why Mary can be called Theotokos, God-bearer.
He succeeded his uncle Theophilus as patriarch of Alexandria in 412.
He led the Council of Ephesus (431), which condemned Nestorius.
In 433 he reached an agreement with the bishops of Antioch (the Formula of Union).
Key ideas
- One incarnate Word
- Mary is Theotokos because her son is God
Controversies
His methods were often harsh. In 415 the philosopher Hypatia was killed by a Christian mob in Alexandria; historians still debate how far Cyril bears responsibility.
Why they still matter
His Christology underlies the Council of Chalcedon and the Church's teaching on Christ.
Before
- Augustine of Hippo354 – 430
Contemporary
- —
After
- Benedict of Nursiac. 480 – 547
- Letters to Nestorius
- Commentary on John
- Historical context
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.