“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. » John 1:14. The verse that has inspired and confounded Christians for centuries. Since its appearance, members of the Church and theologians have marveled at the principle of the Incarnation. How could God, perfect, sinless, incapable of suffering, become sinful and corruptible flesh, and suffer the ultimate punishment for man's sins? This is the same question that intrigued many early church fathers, and the one that most deeply affected Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. This led to intense controversy within the Church, leaving Cyril with a legacy and reputation still engraved today, and leaving another disgraced Church leader in the depths of heresy. But before studying Cyril's main theological conflict, we must first understand the circumstances and experiences that led him to this point. When Cyril was born in 376 AD, he would not be the first member of his family to become an important leader in the early Church. . His own uncle, Theophilus, was then Pope of Alexandria, Cyril's predecessor. Cyril ultimately took over leadership, despite the views of some politicians in the region (Litfin, 2007), at a time of turbulence for Christianity, both in Alexandria and throughout the Christian world. Increasing dissension and violence arose between Christian and pagan leaders, as well as among different groups within the Church itself. A sad stain on his heritage, Cyril did not put an end to this tradition. Shortly after coming to power, he began to drive the Jewish population out of Alexandria. Shortly thereafter, his followers murdered a popular Neoplatonist philosopher named Hypatia, sparking intense controversy between the city's opposing religious sects (Butler, 2003). These controversies would raise...... middle of paper ......e Cyril is not, however, limited to his writings and his theology. A careful examination of the cause and effect of some of one's actions can also provide useful knowledge relating to the Christian life.BibliographyButler, A. (2003). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Collegevile, MN: Liturgical Press. Cyril. (around 429). Epistle to Nestorious.Cyril. (around 429). XII Anathematisms against Nestorious. Cyril. (nd). On the unity of Christ. Gonzalez, J. L. (1970). A History of Christian Thought: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. Litfin, B.M. (2007). Getting to Know the Fathers of the Church: An Evangelical Introduction. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press. McGuckin, J. A. (1995). On the unity of Christ/Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. Nestorious. (around 429). Anathematisms against Cyril.