Mar 18, About Today for Thursday of the 4th week of Lent

March 18

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Optional Memorial

“Already there is a scent of blessedness upon you. Already you who are soon to be enlightened are gathering spiritual flower from which, to weave heavenly crowns: already the fragrance of the Holy Spirit has breathed upon you: already you have gathered round the vestibule of the King’s palace. May you also be led in by the King! For blossoms now have appeared upon the trees; may the fruit also be found perfect!” [1]

St. Cyril of Jerusalem was a bishop in the fourth century. There survive 24 catechetical instructions that he delivered to prepare catechumens and the newly baptized for life in Christ. St. Cyril was bishop for 35 years, over 16 of which were spent in exile. He was first sent into exile by Acacius, Bishop of Caesarea, an ardent Arian who claimed jurisdiction over Jerusalem. St. Cyril was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1883 by Pope Leo XIII. [2][3]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] St. Cyril, “The Catechetical Letters,” in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, ed. Philip Schaff (New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893), 1, adapted.
[2] F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (London: Oxford University Press, 1974), 369.
[3] Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, The Martyrology of the Monastery of the Ascension, 2008.
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.