SOURCE: Kerrigan, Alexander. Introduction to St. Cyril of Alexandria: Interpreter of the Old Testament, pp. 1-21. Rome: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 1952.

In the following excerpt, Kerrigan describes the theological climate in fifth-century Alexandria, summarizes Cyril's early life and education, and surveys his writings on the principal themes of Incarnation and Grace.

1. - Doctrinal Trends at Alexandria Towards the Beginning of the Fifth Century a.d.

The sixty-six years that fill the interval between the birth of St. Cyril of Alexandria in 378¹ and his death in 444² mark the period in which the ancient see of St. Mark attained the zenith of its prestige. Two events which had important repercussions on St. Cyril's life punctuate the span of these years: the election of Theophilus, his uncle, to the patriarchate of Alexandria in 385³ and his own accession to that office in 412⁴.

At Alexandria in those days, a bishop's task was not easy...