St Cyril was born about the year 375 and died on this day in 444. He became Bishop of Alexandria in 412. He campaigned tirelessly for orthodox doctrine in the Church, in the context of many and complex heretical movements. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1882.

He said: ‘From Christ and in Christ, we have been reborn through the Spirit in order to bear the fruit of life; not the fruit of our old, sinful life but the fruit of a new life founded upon our faith in him and our love for him. Like branches growing from a vine, we now draw our life from Christ, and we cling to his holy commandment in order to preserve this life’.

May St Cyril pray for us in the controversies of our own day, and may God bless you.