What is the source of the St. Cyril quote?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The quote attributed to St. Cyril of Alexandria regarding the martyrs and their focus on eternal glory is derived from his Commentary on the Gospel of John.

Specifically, this theological sentiment is found in his exegesis of John 16:33: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

In his commentary, St. Cyril explains that the martyrs were able to endure physical suffering because they were "in Christ." He argues that since Christ, the Word of God, had conquered death in His own flesh, that same power was granted to the martyrs. St. Cyril often emphasizes that the martyrs do not face death with human strength alone, but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which unites them to the victory of the Savior.

Additionally, St. Cyril touches upon the glory of the martyrs in his Festal Letters (Paschal Homilies), which he sent annually to the churches and monasteries of Egypt to announce the date of Easter. In these letters, he frequently encourages the faithful by reminding them that the suffering of the present time (such as that faced by the martyrs) is incomparable to the resurrection life promised by the Incarnate Word.

His Christology—specifically the Mia Physis formula—is the foundation for this; because Christ is one incarnate nature of God the Word, the victory He achieved on the Cross is a victory truly shared by His body, the Church, and most vividly manifested in the martyrs.