Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Bishop of Alexandria; born Alexandria, Egypt, 376; died there, 444. A nephew of Theophilus, the patriarch, Cyril was brought up in an atmosphere of asceticism. In 412 he was elevated to the See of Alexandria. He incurred the enmity of Orestes, prefect of Egypt, by expelling the Jews and suppressing the Novatians. Cyril's chief fame arises from his defense of Catholic teaching against Nestorius. He presided over the General Council at Ephesus, at which Nestorius was condemned. He left many exegetical treatises, and wrote a book against Julian the Apostate. Emblems: the Blessed Virgin holding in her arms the Child Jesus, and a pen. Relics at Alexandria. Feast, Roman Calendar, February 9,.