Day 296 -- Saint Cyril of Alexandria

Saint Cyril of Alexandria was born in the year 376 and lived as a monk and priest. He was made bishop of Alexandria, Egypt in 412. He worked at the Council of Ephesus, which says that Mary is the Mother of God (hence the prayer below that he wrote). Saint Cyril fought against the heresy that there were two persons in Christ. He was a catechetical writer. Our saint today died in the year 444 in Alexandria and his relics are in Alexandria. He was proclaimed as a Doctor of the Church.

Prayer in Honor of Mary, Mother of God
Hail, Mary, Mother of God, venerable treasure of the whole universe, lamp that is never extinguished, crown of virginity, support of the true faith, indestructible temple, dwelling of him whom no place can contain, O Mother and Virgin! Through you all the holy Gospels call blessed the one whom comes in the name of the Lord. Hail, Mother of God. You enclosed under your heart the infinite God whom no space can contain. Through you the Most Holy Trinity is adored and glorified, the priceless cross is venerated throughout the universe. Through you the heavens rejoice, and the angels and archangels are filled with gladness. Through you the demons are banished, and the tempter fell from heaven. Through you the fallen human race is admitted to heaven. Hail, Mother of God. Through you kings rule, and the only-begotten Son of God has become a star of light to those who were sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.

QUOTES

"One builds the Church either as a teacher of the sacred mysteries, as one set over the house of God, or as one who works for his own good by setting himself forth as a living and spiritual stone in the holy temple, God’s dwelling place in the Spirit. The results of these efforts will profit such men so that each will be able to gain his own salvation without difficulty."

"By nature, each one of us is enclosed in his own personality, but supernaturally, we are all one. We are made one body in Christ, because we are nourished by one flesh. As Christ is indivisible, we are all one in him. Therefore, He asked His Father “that they may all be One as We also are one.”