Cyril of Jerusalem: Fourth-Century Patristic Mariology

Cyril of Jerusalem and patristic Mariology: Mary in the baptismal catecheses of the fourth century.

Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology: introduction

To speak of Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology is to gain access to a decisive moment in the patristic Mariology of the fourth century. Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem (c. 313-386), is one of the most important voices of early Christian catechesis, and the theme of Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology sheds light on the way Mary was presented to catechumens.

I. The catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem

The foundational text for studying Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology is the Mystagogical Catecheses, addressed to the catechumens and neophytes of the Church of Jerusalem. In these catecheses, Cyril presents the faith of the Church concerning the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments and, consequently, Mary. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology is thus an eminently catechetical Mariology.

II. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology: the divine motherhood

Even before Ephesus (431), Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology already clearly affirms the divine motherhood of Mary. Cyril teaches that the Son of God was truly born of the Virgin Mary, without detriment to His divinity or to her virginity. This dogmatic clarity prepares the ground for the Ephesian definition of the Theotokos.

III. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology: virginity

Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology insists on Mary’s virginity as a sign of the divine birth of Christ. Cyril argues from Is 7:14 (“the Virgin shall conceive”) and shows that virginity is not incidental but belongs to the mystery of the Incarnation. The perpetual virginity of Mary is therefore present in Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology.

IV. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology: the Eve-Mary parallel

Like that of other Fathers, Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology takes up the Eve-Mary parallel already formulated by Justin and Irenaeus. Eve, a disobedient virgin, was the cause of death. Mary, an obedient virgin, was the cause of life. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology integrates this parallel into his mystagogical catechesis on baptism and the new life in Christ.

V. The importance of Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology today

To recover Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology is to understand pre-Ephesian Mariology and to see how the Marian faith was handed on in baptismal catechesis. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mariology remains a model for contemporary catechesis, especially in Christian initiation. Explore further in Redemptoris Mater, which cites the Fathers of the Church extensively.

Deepen your studies: explore the Mariology portal, Marian Theology, and the patristic Mariology of Locus Mariologicus.