“Guardian of Accuracy” and “Seal of the Fathers.” Defender of “Mary, Mother of God” (Council of Ephesus)

Today we venerate Saint Cyril of Alexandria (370/80-444), known as the “custodian of exactitude” (due to his fidelity to the faith) and “seal of the Fathers” (due to his fidelity to ecclesial Tradition). Cyril soon embarked on an ecclesiastical life and received a good education. After the death of his uncle Theophilus (Bishop of Alexandria), Cyril—still very young—was elected bishop of the influential Alexandrian Church in 412, governing it with great firmness for 32 years. Faithful to Tradition, Cyril of Alexandria firmly opposed the Bishop of Constantinople, Nestorius, because Nestorius preferred the title “Mother of Christ” for Mary, instead of “Mother of God” (which was deeply rooted in popular devotion). Nestorius intended to emphasize the importance of Christ's humanity so much that he separated it from His divinity (as if Jesus had to be two persons). The Council of Ephesus, in 431 AD, deposed Nestorius. —Saint Cyril of Alexandria was a tireless and steadfast witness to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, emphasizing above all His unity: "There is one Son, one Lord Jesus Christ, both before the Incarnation and after the Incarnation."