St. Cyril of Alexandria

Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Double

mtv

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

Ad Magnif. Ant:  O Doctor óptime, * Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Cyrílle, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

Ant. on Magnif:  O Doctor right excellent, * O light of Holy Church, O blessed Cyril, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Cyríllum  Confessórem tuum atque Pontíficem divínæ maternitátis beatíssimæ Vírginis Maríæ assertórem invíctum effecísti : concéde, ipso intercedénte; ut, qui vere eam Genitrícem Dei crédimus, matérna ejúsdem protectióne salvémur.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst strengthen thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Saint Cyril, invincibly to maintain the divine motherhood of the blessed Virgin Mary : vouchsafe that at his intercession we, believing her to be indeed the Mother of God ; may as her children rejoice in her protection.  Through the same.

Ant:  Hic vir, despíciens mundum et terréna, triúmphans, divítias cælo cóndidit ore, manu.

Ant:  Lo, a servant of God, who esteemed as naught all things earthly, and by word and work laid him up treasures in heaven.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Oremus.
Deus, qui per sanctum Joánnem órdinem sanctíssimæ Trinitátis ad rediméndum de potestáte Saracenórum captívos cælitus institúere dignátus es : præsta, quæsumus; ut, ejus suffragántibus méritis, a captivitáte córporis et ánimæ, te adjuvante, líberemur.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, who by thy revelation to thy blessed John didst institute the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, for the redemption of captives from the power of the infidel ; grant, we beseech thee; that at the intercession of his merits, we may by thee be delivered from all bondage both of body and soul.  (Through.)

Ant:  Veni, Sponsa Christi, * áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant:  Come, thou bride of Christ, * receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

Oremus.
Deus qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martyrii contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui beátæ Apollóniæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Apollonia thy Virgin and Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of Doctors,  Sapientiam.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Doctors

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Cyríllus Alexandrínus, cujus præcónia non uníus tantum vel altérius sunt comprobáta testimónio, sed étiam œcumenicórum conciliórum Ephesíni et Chalcedonénsis actis celebráta, claris ortus paréntibus, ac Theóphili epíscopi Alexandríni nepos, adhuc adoléscens præcelléntis ingénii clara specímina dedit.  Lítteris ac sciéntiis egrégie imbútus, ad Joánnem epíscopum, Jerosolymitánum se cóntulit, ut in Christiána fide perficerétur.  Alexandríam deínde cum rediísset, Theóphilo vita functo, ad illíus sedem evéctus est : quo in múnere ita óptimi pastóris formam ab Apóstolo definítam constánter præ se tulit, ut sanctíssimi præsulis glóriam mérito sit adéptus.

The praises of Cyril of Alexandria have been celebrated not only by one writer or another, but have even been registered in the acts of the Ecumenical Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon.  He was born of distinguished parents, and was the nephew of Theophilus, Pope of Alexandria.  While he was still young he displayed marks of his excellent understanding.  After giving a deep study to letters and science he betook himself to John, Bishop of Jerusalem, to be perfected in the Christian faith.  After his return to Alexandria, and the death of Theophilus, he was raised to that see.  In this office he kept ever before his eyes the type of the Shepherd of souls as it had been laid down by the Apostle ; and by ever adhering thereto deservedly earned the glory of an holy Bishop.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Salútis animárum zelo incénsus curas omnes inténdit, ut sibi commíssum gregem in fídei et morum integritáte serváret, atque a venenátis infidélium et hæreticórum páscuis defénderet.  Hinc tum Nováti ásseclas e civitáte expélli, tum Judæos, qui furóre acti in cædem Christianórum conspiráverant, juxta leges puníri satégit.  Singuláre vero Cyrílli pro cathólicæ fídei incolumitáte enítuit stúdium contra Nestórium Constantinopolitánum epíscopum, asseréntem Jesum Christum ex María Vírgine hóminem tantum et non Deum natum, eíque divinitátem pro méritis esse collátam ; cujus emendatiónem cum frustra tentásset, eum sancto Cælestíno Pontífici máximo denuntiávit.

Zeal of the salvation of souls was kindled in him, and he undertook all cares to keep in the faith and in soundness of life the flock unto him committed, and to preserve them from the poisonous pastures of infidelity and heresy ; hence, in accordance with the laws, he caused the followers of Novátus to be expelled from the city, and those Jews to be punished who had been induced by rage to plan a massacre of the Christians.  His eminent care for the preservation of the Catholic faith pure and undefiled shone forth especially in his controversy against Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who asserted that Jesus Christ had been born of the Virgin Mary as man only and not as God, and that the Godhead had been bestowed upon him because of his merits.  Cyril first attempted to convert Nestorius, but when he found this hopeless he denounced him to the Supreme Pontiff the holy Celestine.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Cælestíni delegáta auctoritáte, concílio Ephesíno præfuit, in quo hæresis Nestoriána pénitus proscrípta est, damnátus Nestórius et a sua Sede dejéctus, ac dogma cathólicum de una in Christo eáque divina persóna, et divína gloriósæ Vírginis Maríæ maternitáte assértum ; plaudénte pópulo univérso, qui incredíbili gáudio géstiens, collucéntibus fácibus domum dedúxit epíscopus.  Sed hac de causa Cyríllus calúmniis, injúriis et persecutiónibus, plúrimis a Nestório ejúsque fautóribus impetítus fuit ; quas ipse patientíssime tulit, ita ut, de sola fide sollícitus, quidquid advérsus eum effutiébant ac moliebántur hærétici, pro níhilo habéret.  Tandem pro Ecclésia Dei máximis perfúnctus labóribus, plurimísque scriptis éditis tum ad éthnicos et hæréticos confutándos, tum ad sacras Scriptúras et cathólica explanánda dógmata, sancto fine quiévit anno quadringentésimo quadragésimo quarto, episcopátus trigésimo secúndo.  Leo décimus tértius Póntifex máximus Offícium et Missam præclaríssimi hujus fídei cathólicæ propugnatóris et Orientális ecclésiæ lúminis, ad Ecclésiam univérsam exténdit.

As delegate of Pope Celestine, Cyril presided at the Council of Ephesus where the Nestorian heresy was condemned ; Nestorius deprived of his see ; and the Catholic doctrine as to the unity of the Person in Christ and the divine Motherhood of the glorious Virgin Mary was laid down amid the rejoicings of all the people, who escorted the bishops to their lodgings with a torch-light procession.  For this reason Nestorius and his followers made Cyril the object of slanders, insults, and persecutions which he bore with profound patience, having all his care for the purity of the faith, and taking no heed to what the heretics might say or try against him.  At length he died a holy death, in the year of salvation 444 and of his own papacy the 32nd.  After vast work for the Church of God, and leaving behind him divers writings directed either against heathens and heretics or to the exposition of the holy Scriptures and of Catholic doctrine, the Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII extended to the Universal Church the Office and Mass of this most eminent champion of the Catholic faith, and light of the Eastern Church.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine: * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

If this Feast be reduced to the rank of Simple, and Lesson IX of this Feast is to be said according to the Rubrics, the following abbreviated version may be used.

Cyríllus Alexandrínus, Theóphili epíscopi Alexandríni nepos, étiam adoléscens præcelléntis ingénii specímina dedit.  Theóphilo vita functo, ad illíus Sedem evéctus, et factus forma gregis ex ánimo, óptimi pastóris glóriam adéptus est.  Singuláre ejus pro cathólicæ fídei incolumitáte stúdium enítuit contra Nestórium Constantinopolitánum epíscopum, asseréntem Jesum Christum ex María Vírgine hóminem tantum et non Deum natum, eíque divinitátem pro méritis esse collátam ; cujus emendatiónem cum frustra tentásset, eum sancto Cælestíno Papæ denuntiávit.  Hujus Pontíficis delegáta auctoritáte, nonnúllis sessiónibus præfuit Concílii Ephesíni, in quo hæresis Nestoriána pénitus proscrípta est, damnátus Nestórius et a sua Sede dejéctus, ac dogma cathólicum de una in Christo eáque divína persóna, et divína gloriósæ Vírginis Maríæ maternitáte assértum.  De sola fide sollícitus, et proptérea plura perpéssus, máximis pro Ecclésia Dei perfúnctus labóribus, plurimísque scriptis éditis, sancto fine quiévit, anno quadringentésimo quadragésimo quarto, episcopátus trigésimo secúndo.

Cyril of Alexandria was the nephew of Theophilus, Pope of Alexandria, and even as a young man gave evidence of unusual brilliance.  When Theophilus died, Cyril succeeded to his see and, becoming from the heart a pattern to his flock, gained glory as the best of shepherds.  He shone in a special way in his zeal for the integrity of the Catholic faith against Nestorius, the Bishop of Constantinople, who asserted that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary as man only and not as God, and that divinity had been bestowed upon him for his merits.  After trying in vain to persuade Nestorius of the truth, Cyril denounced him Pope St. Celestine.  As the delegate of this Pope, he presided over many sessions of the Council of Ephesus.  In that council the Nestorian heresy was completely condemned and Nestorius himself deposed from his see, while the Catholic doctrine was proclaimed that in Christ there is but one Person and that Person divine, and that the glorious Virgin Mary is the Mother of God.  Solicitous only for the faith and, as a result, enduring many things, Cyril accomplished great works for God's Church and published many writings.  Finally he died a holy death in the year 444, the thirty-second year of his episcopate.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Pompeii's Column in Alexandria

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis:   Vos estis sal terræ.  Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur?  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples:  Ye are the salt of the earth : But if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Osténdit Dóminus fátuos esse judicándos, qui temporálium bonórum vel cópiam sectántes vel inópiam metuéntes, amíttunt ætérna, quæ nec dari possunt ab homínibus nec auférri.  Itaque, si sal infatuátum fúerit, in quo saliétur?  Id est, si vos, per quos condiéndi sunt quodámmodo pópuli, metu persecutiónum temporálium amiséritis regna cælórum ; qui erunt hómines, per quos a vobis error auferátur, cum vos elégerit Deus, per quos errórem áuferat ceterórum?

The Lord would have us understand how that men do lose their power of savouring others with righteousness when they are willing to place their eternal welfare in jeopardy for the sake of any temporal advantage, like as attainment of ease or luxury, or escape from suffering or toil.  For that which is eternal, unlike things of this world, can neither be bestowed by men, nor by them taken away.  Hence, when he asketh : If the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? he would have us understand the question to be : If ye, by whom mankind is preserved from corruption, be willing to lose the kingdom of heaven so as to escape trials or persecutions in this world, who is there to preserve you from corruption, seeing ye are they that God hath chosen  to preserve all others from corruption?

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him ; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord put upon him the breastplate of faith, and adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Ergo ad níhilum valet sal infatuátum, nisi ut mittátur foras et calcétur ab homínibus.  Non ítaque calcátur ab homínibus qui pátitur persecutiónem ; sed qui, persecutiónem timéndo, infatuátur.  Calcári enim non potest nisi inférior ; sed inférior non est, qui, quamvis córpore multa in terra sustíneat, corde tamen fixus in cælo est.

Those that should be the salt of the earth, but have lost their savour, are thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  But no one that suffereth persecution is truly said to be trodden under foot of men.  Rather, that one is truly trodden under foot of men  who through fear of persecution hath lost the savour of righteousness.  For no one can be trodden upon, unless he be beneath him which treadeth upon him.  And certainly no one who hath his heart in heaven, no matter how grievously he doth suffer in his body on earth, is rightly said to be beneath anyone who misuseth him.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os ejus, * Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Jucunditátem et exsultatiónem thesaurizávit super eum.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.

R.  In the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth : * And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  He shall find joy, and a crown of gladness.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, or in Lent from the Feria, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

For St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Apollónia virgo Alexandrína, sub Décio imperatóre, cum ingravescénte jam ætáte ad idóla sisterétur, ut eis veneratiónem adhíberet ; illis contémptis, Jesum Christum verum Deum coléndum esse prædicábat.  Quam ob rem omnes ei contúsi sunt et evúlsi dentes ; ac, nisi Christum detestáta deos cóleret, accénso rogo combustúros vivam mináti sunt ímpii carnífices.  Quibus illa, se quamvis mortem pro Jesu Christi fide subitúram, respóndit.  Itaque comprehénsa ut comburerétur, cum paulísper, quasi delíberans quid agéndum esset, stetíssset, ex illórum mánibus elápsa, álacris in ignem sibi parátum, majóri Spíritus Sancti flamma intus accénsa, se injécit.  Unde brevi, consúmpto córpore, puríssimus spíritus in cælum ad sempitérnam martyrii corónam evolávit.

Apollonia was an aged virgin of Alexandria, who, in the reign of the Emperor Decius, was brought before the idols to worship them, but refused, declaring that Christ Jesus is Very God, and that to him worship is due.  The cruel executioners beat and pulled out all her teeth, and threatened to burn her alive if she would not deny Christ.  To whom she answered, that for Christ Jesus' sake she was ready to die.  Being taken to the place of execution she stood for a few moments as if in doubt, and then, the fire of the Holy Ghost burning up in her heart, she broke from those that held her, and leapt of her own accord into the flames.  Her body was quickly consumed, and her soul departed pure to obtain the eternal crown of martyrdom.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Ad Bened Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, dicit Dóminus.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, saith the Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Cyríllum  Confessórem tuum atque Pontíficem divínæ maternitátis beatíssimæ Vírginis Maríæ assertórem invíctum effecísti : concéde, ipso intercedénte; ut, qui vere eam Genitrícem Dei crédimus, matérna ejúsdem protectióne salvémur.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst strengthen thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Saint Cyril, invincibly to maintain the divine motherhood of the blessed Virgin Mary : vouchsafe that at his intercession we, believing her to be indeed the Mother of God ; may as her children rejoice in her protection.  Through the same.

Ant:  Símile est regnum cælórum hómini negotiatóri quærénti bonas margarítas : invénta una pretiósa, dedit ómnia sua, et comparávit eam.

Ant:  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

V.  Full of grace are thy lips.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

Oremus.
Deus qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martyrii contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui beátæ Apollóniæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Apollonia thy Virgin and Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH