Saint Cyril of Jerusalem wrote these famous twenty-three lectures given to catechumens in Jerusalem being prepared for, and after, baptism are best considered in two parts: the first eighteen lectures are commonly known as the Catechetical Lectures, Catechetical Orations or Catechetical Homilies, while the final five are often called the Mystagogic Catecheses because they deal with the mysteries - the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
His catechetical lectures are generally assumed to have been delivered either in Cyril's early years as a bishop, around 350 AD, or perhaps in 348 AD, while Cyril was still a priest, deputising for his bishop, Maximus. The Catechetical Lectures were given in the Martyrion, the basilica erected by Saint Constantine the Great.
Each lecture is based upon a text of Scripture, and there is an abundance of Scriptural quotation throughout. In the Catechetical Lectures, parallel with the exposition of the Nicene Creed as it was then received in the Church of Jerusalem are vigorous polemics against pagan, Jewish, and other heretical errors. They are of great importance for the light which they throw upon the method of instruction usual of that age, as well as upon the liturgical practises of the period, of which they give the fullest account extant.
Lecture I
Lecture II
Lecture III
Lecture IV
Lecture V
Lecture VI
Lecture VII
Lecture VIII
Lecture IX
Lecture X
Lecture XI
Lecture XII
Lecture XIII
Lecture XIV
Lecture XV
Lecture XVI
Lecture XVII
Lecture XVIII
Lecture XIX
Lecture XX
Lecture XXI
Lecture XXII
Lecture XXIII
