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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Phyllis Jestice <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) is most famous for a series of catechetical sermons for those about to be baptized. Actually no. His catechetical sermons (or "mystagogical catacheses") were delivered to those who had just been baptised at Easter. It was not considered proper to tell people anything about the Christian Sacraments until they had already become Christians by baptism. It may seem strange to us that you could not be told anything about the significance of baptism until you had actually taken the plunge, or about the Eucharist until you had actually received it. He makes the point himself that had he told the neophytes these things before their baptism, he would have been regarded as a traitor, not a teacher. He writes further in his First Catechetical Treatise: "I long ago desired, true-born and dearly-beoloved children of the Church, to discourse to you concerning these spiritual and heavenly Mysteries; but knowing well, that seeing is far more persuasive than hearing, I waited till this season; that finding you more open to the influence of my words from this your experience, I might take and lead you to the brighter and more fragrant meadow of this present paradise; especially as ye have been made fit to receive the more sacred Mysteries, having been counted worthy of divine and life-giving Baptism. It remaining therefore to dress for you a board of more perfect instruction, let us now teach you exactly about these things, that ye may know the deep meaning to you-ward of what was done on that evening of your baptism." This post-baptismal catechesis is still observed, under the name of Mystagogy, in the present day Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the Catholic Church. The Catechuments are baptised at Easter, but the instruction continues until Pentecost, when the Bishop celebrates a special Mass of welcome for the new Catholics. Bill. ===== ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger - Communicate instantly..."Ping" your friends today! Download Messenger Now http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/download/index.html ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html