Gems
From Saint Cyril
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386),
one of the Fathers of the Church and Bishop of Jerusalem, was a most prolific
writer, and defender of the Catholic Church, and of the Council of Nicaea
of 325. He is quoted by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. In his many
writings, he mentioned the Catholic Church by name, many times.
Here are some of his "Gems".
"EVERY deed of Christ is a cause of glorying to
the Catholic Church, but her greatest of all glorying is in the
Cross; and knowing this, Paul says, But God forbid that f should glory,
save in the Cross of Christ."
Catechetical lecture # 13, 1
"Faith therefore in the Resurrection of the dead, is a great
commandment and doctrine of the Holy Catholic
Church; great and most necessary, though gainsaid by many, yet
surely warranted by the truth. Greeks contradict it, Samaritans disbelieve
it, heretics mutilate it; the contradiction is manifold, but the truth
is uniform."
Catechetical lecture # 18, 1
"The Faith which we rehearse contains in order the following,
"AND IN ONE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS; AND IN
ONE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH; AND IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE FLESH;
AND IN ETERNAL LIFE." Now of Baptism and repentance I have spoken
in the earliest Lectures; and my present remarks concerning the resurrection
of the dead have been made with reference to the Article "In the resurrection
of the flesh." Now then let me finish what still remains to be said
for the Article, "In one Holy Catholic Church," on which,
though one might say many things, we will speak but briefly."
Catechetical lecture # 18, 22
"It is called Catholic
then because it extends over all the world, from one end of the earth to
the other; and because it teaches universally and completely one and all
the doctrines which ought to come to men's knowledge, concerning things
both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly; and because it brings
into subjection to godliness the whole race of mankind, governors and governed,
learned and unlearned; and because it universally treats and heals the
whole class of sins, which are committed by soul or body, and possesses
in itself every form of virtue which is named, both in deeds and words,
and in every kind of spiritual gifts."
Catechetical lecture # 18, 23
"But since the word Ecclesia is applied to different
things (as also it is written of the multitude in the theatre of the Ephesians,
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the Assembly), and since one
might properly and truly say that there is a Church of evil doers, I mean
the meetings of the heretics, the Marcionists and Manichees, and the rest,
for this cause the Faith has securely delivered to thee now the Article,
"And in one Holy Catholic Church;" that thou mayest avoid
their wretched meetings, and ever abide with the Holy Catholic Church
in which thou wast regenerated. And if ever thou art sojourning in cities,
inquire not simply where the Lord's House is (for the other sects of the
profane also attempt to call their own dens houses of the Lord), nor merely
where the Church is, but where is the Catholic Church. For this
is the peculiar name of this Holy Church, the mother of us all, which is
the spouse of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God (for
it is written, As Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it,
and all the rest,) and is a figure and copy of Jerusalem which is above,
which is free, and the mother of us all; which before was barren, but now
has many children."
Catechetical lecture # 18, 26
Cardinal John
Newman, a convert from Anglicanism said it best in regards to historical
documents: "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant."
Compiled September 4, 2001
Back
to Home Page