Saint Cyril of Alexandria

Behold the pillar of the Orthodox faith, the golden mouth of Alexandria, the lamp that burned with wisdom and knowledge—Cyril the Great, who shone as a star in the firmament of the Church. From his youth was he nurtured in sacred doctrine by his uncle, Pope Theophilus, who adorned him with the wisdom of theology and philosophy. He drank deeply from the wellspring of the Holy Scriptures and sayings of the Fathers, retreating to the desert to be shaped in humility and discipline by the ascetic elders. When called back to the city of the great Mark, he was made preacher, deacon, and scribe, until in the fullness of time, he was enthroned upon the patriarchal throne.

With heavenly zeal, he defended the truth at the Council of Ephesus, crushing the insolence of Nestorius and proclaiming the Theotokos with unwavering voice. Thirty-one years did he labor as shepherd, guarding the flock of Christ with courage and deep discernment. He balanced the heights of allegory with the clarity of literal truth, feeding the Church with homilies rich in grace.

O tongue of gold, O defender of the incarnation, O glory of the Alexandrian See—pray for us, that we may walk in truth, love the Scriptures, and be found faithful, even as thou wast faithful unto thy last breath.