St. Cyril was born in Alexandria, Egypt, about 374. He strenuously defended the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin against Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, who maintained that Jesus Christ, as man, only, was born of Mary, and that His Divinity was acquired after His human birth because of His great merits.The Saint presided over the General Council of Ephesus, at which Nestorius and his doctrines were condemned. However, St. Cyril paid dearly for this victory in the form of many sufferings at the hands of Nestorius and his followers. He left many exegetical treatises and an apologetical work against Julian the Apostate. He died in 444.
PRAYER: God, You made St. Cyril, Your Bishop, the invincible champion of the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God may be saved through the Incarnation of Christ Your Son. Amen.