Orthodox Icon of St. Cyril of Alexandria

St. Cyril of Alexandria

June 9th Troparion (Tone 1)
With all reverence let us praise the light of the world, the great orator and champion of the Mother of God; for by his fiery teachings he burned the heresy of Nestorius. Wherefore let us cry to him: O divine Cyril, intercede with Christ to strengthen the Orthodox Faith.

St. Cyril was Patriarch of Alexandria at a pivotal point in history. He had to defend the Church from three main attacks. He contended with the Novationists and drove them along with their bishop from the city. The Novationists were the fundamentalists of their day. They held to a high moral standard (being more strict than the Apostle Paul), but did not provide for forgiveness and restoration of those who might fall. The second attack was from the Jews of the city who were jealous of the ascendancy of Christians in what had always been their city. They killed Christians both secretly and by public crucifixion. St. Cyril finally persuaded the Emperor to drive the Jews from the city. While that was the bloodiest battle of his career, he is best remembered for his role in quashing the heresy of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople. He presided at the 3rd Ecumenical Council at Ephesus, also representing Pope Celestine of Rome at his request. There Nestorius was anathematised and exiled to the eastern edge of the Empire by the Emperor. Cyril finished his days in peace and fell asleep in the Lord in 444.

This icon is by the hand of an iconographer who wishes to be anonymous*. It is from the refectory of Christ Our Saviour Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Seminary, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Order #cap-25

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*If you want to contact this iconographer to commission original work, you may email us and we can put you in touch with her.