St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Bishop of Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century, exiled three times by emperors of the Arian party and restored three times, who took part in the Second Ecumenical Council at the end of his life. His Catechetical Lectures, given in the church of the Holy Sepulchre to those preparing for baptism in Lent around 350, are the fullest picture there is of how the ancient Church taught the Creed. The five Mystagogical Catecheses that follow them, explaining baptism, chrismation and the Eucharist to the newly baptised in Easter week, are the oldest account of the eucharistic change by the calling down of the Spirit; some scholars give them to his successor John. Feast: March 18.