As part of my general ministry of encouraging the saints, I thought I would offer timely bits of wholesome encouragement for all those nominated in the episcopal election for the next Bishop of Edmonton. Here, for your edification, is the first in a series...
Cyril of Jerusalem:
Soon after his consecration in 348 he found himself at odds with his Arian Metropolitan, Acacius of Caesarea, and he was expelled from his see for a year in 357, and for two more years in 360. Even the death of Acacius in 366 did not bring him tranquility; for in the following year the Emperor Valens deposed him, and Cyril did not return till after the Emperor's death in 378...
The Later Christian Fathers: A Selection of Writings from St Cyril of Jerusalem to St. Leo the Great
ed. & trans. Henry Bettenson
Cyril of Jerusalem on the Church (cat. 18)
The Church is called 'Catholic' because it extends through all the world, from one end of the earth to another. Also because it teaches universally and without omission all the doctrines which ought to come to man's knowledge, about things both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly; and because it brings under the sway of true religion all classes of men, rulers and subjects, learned and ignorant; and because it universally treats and cures every type of sin, committed by means of soul and body, and possesses in itself every kind of virtue which can be named, in deeds and words, and spiritual gifts of every kind.
Click here for the Episcopal election post series
Amen.
And my thanks...as I'm preaching 'why is the church called catholic?' in a few weeks.
Posted by: Matt | January 14, 2008 at 01:10 PM