CATECHESIS - NO. 2

True religion consists of these two elements: pious doctrines and virtuous actions. Neither does God accept doctrines apart from good works, nor are works, when divorced from godly doctrine, accepted by God.

What does it profit a man to be an expert theologian, if he is intemperate, impious, lazy and an adulterer.

The knowledge of doctrine is a precious possession, indeed. The Greeks, by their smooth tongue, led men astray like the honey from the lips of a harlot. The Circumcision sect deceives their disciples using divine Scriptures which they twist by false interpretation.

"Take care that no one lead you astray." This is the reason for catechetical instruction, an introduction for spiritual children who still feed on milk. Let this be an instruction for the young and a review for the mature. 

St. Cyril of Alexandria, 349 A.D. 

(His Catechesis is the most celebrated catechism that has come down to us from the early Church.)

(01-29-03)