Catechetical Lectures
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Summary
A series of twenty-three lectures delivered to catechumens preparing for baptism, explaining the Creed, the sacraments, and the fundamentals of Christian faith.
Who Should Read This
Catechumens, inquirers preparing for baptism, anyone wanting to understand how the early Church taught the faith.
Key Excerpts
"The water of baptism is both your grave and your mother."
— Mystagogical Lecture 2
"After being stripped, you were anointed with exorcized oil, from the very hairs of your head to your feet, and were made partakers of the good olive-tree, Jesus Christ."
— Mystagogical Lecture 2
Editorial Commentary
These lectures offer an extraordinary window into how the early Church actually prepared converts for baptism. Cyril walks through the Creed article by article, then unveils the meaning of Baptism, Chrismation, and the Eucharist in the 'mystagogical' lectures delivered after baptism. Invaluable for anyone going through the catechumenate today — you are reading the same instruction given 1,700 years ago.