The Works of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Volume 1

CATECHESIS IX

CATECHESIS IX On God the Creator "Who is this that conceals counsel from me, and keeps words in his heart and thinks to hide from me?"l (1) It is impossible to see God with the eyes of the flesh, for what is incorporeal cannot fall under bodily sight. The Only-begotten Son of God bears witness to this when He says: "No one has at any time seen God."2 One might gather from a passage in Ezechiel that Ezechiel saw him, but what does Scripture actually say? He saw "the likeness of the glory of the Lord";3 not the Lord Himself, but the "likeness of His glory" merely, not the glory itself as it really is. Yet, on beholding the likeness of His glory, and not the glory itself, he fell to the earth in fear. But if the vision of the likeness of the glory inspired the prophets with fear and trepidation, any man attempting to look upon God Himself would surely lose his life, according to the text: "No man shall see my face and live."4 Therefore, God in His great loving-kindness has spread the heavens as a veil before His own Godhead, that we might not perish. This assertion is not mine, but the prophet's: "If you shall rend the heavens, trembling will seize the mountains before you, and they shall melt away."5 But why wonder that Ezechiel fell down on seeing the likeness of the glory? For when Gabriel, the 1 Job 38.2, 3 (Sept.). 2 John 1.18. 3 Ezech. 1.28. 4 Exod. 33.20 (Sept.). 5 Isa. 63.19. 185 186 ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM servant of God, appeared to Daniel,6 Daniel was struck with fear at once and fell on his face; and the prophet did not dare to speak until the angel had taken a form like a man. Now, if the sight of Gabriel caused the prophet to tremble, if God had been seen as He is, would not all have perished? (2) It is impossible, then, to perceive the Divine Nature with bodily eyes; but from His divine works we may gain some impression of His power, according to the words of Solomon: "For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen."7 Now he did not say that from created things the creator is seen, but he added "by analogy." For so much the greater does God seem to each man, as the man achieves a loftier concept of creatures; and when by deeper contemplation he has elevated his heart, he gains a loftier concept of God. (3) Learn, then, that it is impossible to comprehend God's nature. The three children in the fiery furnace, singing the praises of God, say: "Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim."B Tell me what is the nature of the cherubim, and then consider Him who has His throne upon them. But Ezechiel the prophet has produced a description of them, as far as that is possible, saying that everyone has four faces,9 one of a man, another of a lion, a third of an eagle, and a fourth of a calf; and that each one has six wings and eyes on every side; and that beneath each is a wheel of four parts. Yet, after this description of the prophet, we still cannot comprehend as we read. But, if we cannot comprehend the throne which he has described , how will we be able to comprehend Him who sits thereon, the invisible and ineffable God? It is impossible to examine closely into the nature of God; but, for His works which we see, we can offer Him praise and glory. 6 Cf. Dan. 10.5-18. 7 Wisd. 13.5. 8 Dan. 3.55. 9 Cf. Ezech. 1.6ff. CATECHESIS IX 187 (4) I say these things to you because of the sequence of the Creed, and because we say: "We believe in One God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible"; that we may remember that He who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the very same who made heaven and earth;lO that we may be made secure against the aberrations of the impious heretics, who have dared to speak ill of...