St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386) author of the Mystagogic Catecheses
Cyril of Jerusalem is renowned for his Mystagogic Catecheses that
is, sermons given to newly initiated adults to enable them reach a full
understanding of the "mysteries" or "sacraments" they received).
Early life
Cyril was ordained deacon, in 335, by Bishop Makarios, and priest, in 345, by Bishop Maximus, and became bishop three years later. Initially he was supported by the Arian bishop, Acacius of Caesarea, who was his metropolitan.
Accusations
However, Bishop Acacius of Caesarea
brought accusations against Cyril that he sold gifts the emperor had
given to the Church to raise funds to feed the poor; some of the
vestments the emperor gave were reported seen as clothing for actors!
Exile
It was also seen that, contrary to what had
been thought, Cyril was not on the side of the Arians, but of orthodox
doctrine.
Acacius and his Arian bishops summoned a council to which
Cyril did not come, condemned him and had him exiled from Jerusalem.
Even though later re-instated, he was exiled once again by the Arian
sympathising emperor Valens.
Attended the Council of Constantinople 381
Finally,
however, under the orthodox Catholic emperor Theodosius, Cyril was
recalled in 379 and attended the Council of Constantinople,
which further condemned Arianism and strengthened orthodox doctrine.
Influence
Pope Leo XIII named Cyril of Jerusalem a doctor of the Church in 1883.
His Mystagogical Catecheses have had considerable influence in drawing up the revised Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) after the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1972.
Below are two extracts from Mystagogical Catechesis V,
one on receiving the Body of Christ, the other on receiving the Cup of
His Blood.
These extracts inspired the restoration of the practice of
the faithful receiving Communion in the hand and partaking of the Blood
of Christ from the chalice.
"Receive the Body of Christ: Amen"
"Approaching,
therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers open; but
make thy left hand as if a throne for thy right, which is on the eve of
receiving the King.
And having hallowed thy palm, receive the Body of
Christ, saying after it, Amen.
Then after thou hast with carefulness
hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake thereof;
giving heed lest thou lose any of it; for what thou losest is a loss to
thee as it were from one of thy own members.
For tell me, if any one
gave thee gold dust, wouldest thou not with all precaution keep it fast,
being on thy guard against losing any of it, and suffering loss?
How
much more cautiously then wilt thou observe that not a crumb falls from
thee, of what is more precious than gold and precious stones?" (MC V, 21)
"Approach also to the Cup of His Blood: Amen"
"Then
after having partaken of the Body of Christ, approach also to the Cup
of His Blood; not stretching forth thine hands, but bending and saying
in the way of worship and reverence, Amen, be thou hallowed by partaking
also of the blood of Christ. And while the moisture upon thy lips,
touching it with thine hands, hallow both thine eyes and brow and the
other senses. then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who
hath accounted thee worthy of so great mysteries." (MC V, 22)