Wednesday Basics: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Catholic History, Birhdays

Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor

St. Cyril is one of the great Greek fathers of the Church. He was chosen by divine Providence to be the shield and champion of the Church against Nestorius, who denied the unity of person in Christ. If this heresy had succeeded, Mary would not be called the Mother of God. [More]

On This Day in Catholic History:

678 - Saint Agatho begins his reign as a Catholic Pope.

1299 Pope Boniface VIII (ca. 1235–1303), in his encyclical Scimus, fili, claimed Scotland owed allegiance to the Catholic Church.

1977 - Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, was named a cardinal by Pope Paul VI.

Birthdays:

1880 - Helen Keller, American deaf and blind activist (d. 1968)

1951 - Julia Duffy, American Actress (Newhart)

1970 - Jim Edmonds, American baseball player

1975 - Tobey Maguire, American actor (Spider-Man, Sea Biscuit)
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