Catecheses

work by Saint Cyril

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The Catecheses is a significant work by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, an early Christian bishop. This collection comprises 23 lectures delivered to candidates preparing for baptism. The initial 18 lectures, based on the Jerusalem baptismal creed, were given during Lent, with the final 5 instructing the newly baptized after Easter.1

The practice of catechesis, or instructing baptismal candidates, was well-established by the 3rd century. This instruction period, often lasting two to three years, involved teaching faith and morals, with a final intensive preparation during Lent before baptism on Easter. Cyril's lectures are considered "mystagogical catecheses," offering deeper teaching on the sacraments. He is venerated as the patron saint of catechists and catechumens.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Cyril’s primary surviving work is Catecheses, a collection of 23 catechetical lectures delivered to candidates for baptism. The first 18, based on the Jerusalem baptismal creed, were given during Lent, and the concluding 5 instructed the newly baptized during the week after Easter.
Read More
Cyril’s primary surviving work is Catecheses, a collection of 23 catechetical lectures delivered to candidates for baptism. The first 18, based on the Jerusalem baptismal creed, were given during Lent, and the concluding 5 instructed the newly baptized during the week after Easter.
Read More

catholic
Cyril of Jerusalem in his Catecheses (348): the church is called catholic on the ground of its worldwide extension, its doctrinal completeness, its adaptation to the needs of men of every kind, and its moral and spiritual perfection.
Read More
Cyril of Jerusalem in his Catecheses (348): the church is called catholic on the ground of its worldwide extension, its doctrinal completeness, its adaptation to the needs of men of every kind, and its moral and spiritual perfection.
Read More

True Cross
…the True Cross in his Catecheses (c. 348). By the 8th century, church historians’ accounts of the cross were enriched by legendary details describing the history of the wood before it was used for Jesus’ crucifixion.
Read More
…the True Cross in his Catecheses (c. 348). By the 8th century, church historians’ accounts of the cross were enriched by legendary details describing the history of the wood before it was used for Jesus’ crucifixion.
Read More