The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates today St. Cyril the Patriarch of Jerusalem, St. Cyril the Bishop of Jerusalem and his mother Anna, the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese reports.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem was one of the prominent Patriarchs of Jerusalem. He was repeatedly persecuted by the supporters of the Arian heresy and was exiled, however, eventually becaming the Patriarch of Jerusalem again. He participated in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381.
Many sermons and speeches of the Patriarch Cyril about Christian doctrine have been translated into Armenian. His letter addressed to the King Costandios on the occasion of the apparition of the Holy Cross in the sky of Jerusalem is up to date read in the Armenian churches. Patriarch Cyril’s collection of sermons is instructive and edifying for those who are preparing for baptism. According to the tradition the basin in which Patriarch Cyril was baptized is inside the Chapel of St Stephen of the Church of St. Hakob (St. James), of Jerusalem.
The Armenian Apostolic Church honors the memory of the Patriarch Cyril twice a year.
St. Cyril the Bishop was the contemporary of St. Cyril the Patriarch. His secular name was Huda. According to the hagiographical sources, well knowing the locality, Bishop Cyril helped the queen Heghine (Helen) to find the Holy cross of Christ.
Witnessing the wonder-working power of the Holy Cross Bishop Cyril was baptized together with his mother, Anna, and after the baptism he was renamed “Cyril”. Later he was ordained a bishop and during the period of exile of the Patriarch Cyril he took his place for a time. Being subjected to severe torments, Bishop Cyril and his mother were killed during the persecutions realized by the King Julianos the Betrayer.