Many apologies for a long silence.
St. Cyril was Bishop in Jerusalem during the fourth century A.D. His greatest work known to us is his Catechetical Lectures which were likely recorded by some local monks and nuns—information we gather from a scribal note in one of the earliest manuscripts we have of the Lectures.
These lectures were given during Lent to people who were awaiting baptism, holy chrism (anointing) and first communion. They had signed up to join the church, to become Christians, and they were receiving instruction from Bishop Cyril on the basics of the Christian faith, especially as derived from the creed. The creed from which Cyril drew the topics for his lectures was the Jerusalem Creed, which was very similar in form and content to the Nicene Creed. Our understanding of its content (I believe) has been mainly derived from the notion that Cyril made nearly direct quotations in his lectures, and so its contents have been culled therefrom. Here I present the Jerusalem Creed, as it is believed (according to my 1969 edition) to have read:
I We believe in One God the Father almighty
maker of Heaven and earth
of all things visible and invisible
II And in one Lord Jesus Christ the Only-begotten Son of God
begotten true God of the Father before all ages
through whom all things were made
III who came in the flesh (?) (and) was made man . . . (?)
IV and was crucified (?) and was buried (?)
V who rose on the third day
VI and ascended into Heaven
and sat down on the right of the Father
VII and is to come in glory to judge living and dead
of whose reign there will be no end
VIII And in one Holy Spirit and Paraclete (the comforter)
who spoke in the prophets
IX and in one baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins
X and one holy Catholic Church
XI the resurrection of the flesh
XII and life everlasting.
The majority of St. Cyril’s Catecheses follow the creed in their exposition of the faith.
I plan to post one entry for every lecture, and so without further ado, here is my summary of St. Cyril’s Introductory Lecture.
Procatechesis
1 Cyril addresses candidates for enlightenment, an early term for baptism. He says, “already the fragrance of the Holy Spirit has blown about you.” He emphasizes that their resolve will confirm God’s call, and that their attendance to the present instruction is no accident.
2 Cyril notes the example of “Simon the Sorcerer” as one who tempted grace (presumably because of the wickedness of his heart as he tried to buy the Holy Spirit with money after baptism). He warns them against just being here because of curiosity.
3 For the same purpose he notes Jesus’ parable of the guest who came to the wedding without wedding clothes. Cyril says, “Ponder, I bid you, the fate of that intruder, and look to your own safety.”
4 Cyril exhorts those present who, if they have come in with a less-than-holy purpose, to look at the church, its order and teaching, and the Gospel, and turn from their ill intent. He tells them to return tomorrow with a new purpose. If they are in sin, let them put it off and “put on a new fashion.” He indicates the importance of being ready, willing, and believing when baptism comes: “Though the water will not refuse to receive you, you will get no welcome from the Spirit. If anyone is conscious of a wound in himself, let him have it dressed; if any has fallen, let him rise. Let there be no Simon among you, no hypocrite—and no Paul Pry.”
(I don’t know what a Paul Pry is. Don’t ask me; it sounds like something Colonel Potter from the TV show MASH would say. If you know, please leave a comment and enlighten all of us.)
5 He warns against other motives such as a boy to please a girl or a slave his master. He says that you didn’t know where you were going, but now that you are here, you are a “fish caught in the net of the church.” He tells them to not escape, but to let Jesus kill them so they may live. “Die to sin, and live to righteousness; from today be alive.”
6 Cyril says that the hearer used to hear the truth from without, only getting a taste, but not understanding. Now what a privilege it is, he says, that they will hear the truth from Scripture and begin to understand by faith. Again, he asks them to put away the things of the body, and focus on things of the Spirit.
7 You’re only baptized once; don’t screw it up. You only get one chance. Only heretics get re-baptized.
8 God asks of us sincerity. How are your sins blotted out? By believing. Don’t just say the words. “From today cease from every evil deed . . .”
9 “Let your feet take you swiftly to the catechetical instructions. Submit to the exorcisms devoutly.”
(Note: Prior to baptism, the catechumen was exorcised of Satan, and asked whether he “renounced the Devil and all his wicked acts.” The catechumen would respond, “I renounce.” This line in the Baptismal interrogation is still in use in many churches today, even Protestant ones.)
10 Be faithful in your attendance to your instruction. You are learning to fight against the Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, and heretics. Your greatest weapon is the “sword of the Spirit.”
11 “Study what you are told and guard it forever.” This systematic instruction on the faith, regeneration, and the baptismal laver is priceless in importance. Don’t confuse this with the weekly sermon.
12 If an unbeliever asks you about what you heard after class, don’t tell him. These are the Mysteries of the faithful, precious to the church. When you tell him, he will not understand, and ridicule you.
13 While you are awaiting exorcism, if you see a brother or sister missing, go look for them. Don’t engage in idle discussion and thought.
Here is a very interesting passage, I think:
“Finally, do not indulge in idle curiosity—no asking “what the city has done,” or the ward, or the Emperor, or the Bishop, or the priest. Lift up your eyes: now as your hour strikes, you need Him who is above. “Be still, and know that I am God.” If you see the believers not recollected when they are ministering, well, they are safe; they know what they have received; they possess the grace. Your fate is still in the balance, to be accepted or not. Instead of copying the carefree, cultivate fear.”
14 While awaiting exorcism, let the men be with men, and women with women, so that in your passion you will not fall. Read to one another from a book, or pray, so that something profitable may be done. The women, however, ought to read and pray silently, for, as the apostle says, “I suffer not a woman to speak in church.”
15 “Let your heart be fired to piety . . .” In spirit set your eyes above, to God’s throne and the angelic choirs in glory. Anticipate your salvation.
16 “Great is the prize set before you in Baptism: ransom for captives, remission of sins, death of sin, a new, spiritual birth, a shining garment, a holy seal inviolable, a Heaven-bound chariot, delights of Paradise, a passport to the Kingdom, the grace of adoption as sons.” But watch out for Satan; he desires to have you.
“Prepare your heart for the reception of teaching and the fellowship in the Holy Mysteries. Pray more frequently, that God may count you worthy of the heavenly and eternal Mysteries. Never be idle, day or night, but so soon as sleep falls from your eyes let your mind occupy itself with prayer. If you notice that an evil thought has entered your mind, hold tightly to the saving remembrance of Judgment. Apply your mind to learning, that it may forget lowly things. . . Guard your own soul . . .”
17 “These, then, are the instructions, these the battle orders, that I (so far as a man may) give to you. . . . For it is mine to speak, yours to translate my words into action, and God’s to perfect the work. Let us prepare our hearts, straining ever nerve and sinew of soul and mind. The race is for souls; we have set our hearts on an eternal prize.” God can make even the unbeliever a believer, if only he give Him his heart in faith.
“May He fill you with the heavenly treasures of the New Covenant and sign you with that seal of the Holy Spirit which no man shall break forever, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Here is an interesting note, whose source is uncertain, about the transmission of these lectures:
TO THE READER
“These Catechetical Lectures, addressed to candidates for Enlightenment, may be given to those going forward for Baptism and to the already baptized faithful. They may, on no account, be given to catechumens or to other classes of non-Christians. Anyone making a copy is hereby adjured, as in the sight of the Lord, to preface it with this warning.”
Well, I guess I screwed that up. There are many non-Christians browsing the web. Oh well.
Postscriptum: The reader should note that these lectures represent quite a good measure of theology from the history of the church. Most that the reader will find herein gives the basics of the orthodox, catholic faith. Here and there will be instances where an instruction given is not currently believed ecumenically by Christians (but perhaps by some in Christendom). And, it should not be presumed that I, the blogger, agree with all of St. Cyril’s teachings. However, let it be known that I think they’re really sweet!
