Among the series of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center Book issues
Recently issued: “The Incarnation of the Word of God” Book
By: Pope Cyril the Great, the Pillar of Faith, the 24th Patriarch of Alexandria
Introduced by:
Bishop Ermia
The General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
Translated by:
Remon Youssef Rizq, Researcher at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
December 2012 AD
Foreword:
St. Cyril the Great, the Pillar of Faith, is one of the greatest symbols of Christian thought in the early centuries; he is regarded as “the Pillar of Faith” and “the Lamp of the Orthodox Church”, he is the author of many interpretations of the Holy Bible, doctrinal books, Passover Messages, and many sermons. He also translated the Liturgy of St. Mark the Apostle from Greek to Coptic language, which is currently known as the Liturgy of St. Cyril.
St. Cyril showed up since 428 AD as a prominent figure and a crucial factor in the history of the Orthodox Doctrine, after the appearance of the heresy of Nestor, the Patriarch of Constantinople, as St. Cyril was the primary defender of Orthodoxy against the Nestorian heresy. He was imprisoned while being in Ephesus for defending the faith, for that, the Copts regarded him as “the Pillar of Faith”.
The Saint paid great care to the spiritual and theological values hidden in the Divine Incarnation, for that he is the one who defended the truth of the indescribable union most. In this sermon; “The Incarnation of the Word of God”, St. Cyril the Great calls the Incarnation of the Word of God as “the mystery of godliness”, affirming that the Word of God is of one essence and perpetuity with the Father, and that He took the form of a servant, he also refutes some heresies, asserting that the Word of God has never had changes in His divine nature, He rather took a body of a rational soul, was incarnate and became man in an indescribable way.
This sermon was translated by Mr. Remon Youssef Rizq, Researcher at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, from the Greek text published in “The Patrologia Graeca” collection, we introduce it to the contemporary generations in order to be enlightened by the fathers’ thoughts, may the Lord use these words for the glory of His name, and the construction of His Church, through the intercession of Saint Cyril the Great, our mother St. Virgin Mary, and through the prayers of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
3rd of Kiahk 1729 AM
12th of December 2012 AD
The commemoration of dedicating St. Virgin Mary to the temple
Bishop Ermia
The General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center