Blessed (Western Father)

Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus

c. 393–458 · 5th c. · 1 work

Theodoret of Cyrus (Cyrrhus) was a fifth-century bishop, theologian, exegete, and church historian, one of the leading figures of the Antiochene school. Born at Antioch around 393, he served as bishop of the Syrian see of Cyrrhus, evangelizing the surrounding region and representing Antioch's historical-critical approach to interpreting Scripture.

He embraced monastic life before being consecrated bishop of Cyrrhus around 423. During the Nestorian controversy he became the foremost literary defender of the Antiochene Christological tradition and an opponent of Cyril of Alexandria. He was deposed at the Second Council of Ephesus (449) and restored at the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon (451), where he anathematized Nestorius; his writings against Cyril (the “Three Chapters”) were later condemned at the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553), though he himself had been received at Chalcedon.

His works include an Ecclesiastical History continuing Eusebius, the Religious History of Syrian ascetics, the apologetic Cure of the Greek Maladies, extensive biblical commentaries, and a large correspondence valuable for the history of his age.

He died about 457. In the Orthodox tradition he is honored with the title “Blessed,” chiefly for his scriptural commentaries.

Sources: Encyclopædia Britannica — Theodoret of Cyrrhus · Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent) — Theodoret