Cyrus
Christians.
1. An Egyptian, belonging to the fifth century, afterwards bishop of Smyrna, according to the testimony of Theophanes. His poetical talents procured him the favour of the empress Eudocia. Under Theodosius the Younger he filled the office of governor of the praetorium, and exarch of the city of Constantinople. When Eudocia withdrew to Jerusalem, A. D. 44.5, he fell under the emperor's displeasure.
This led to his retirement from civil offices and his joining the clerical order.
It is the express testimony of Theophanes that, by order of Theodosius, he was made bishop of Smyrna.
After he was elevated to the episcopal dignity, he is said to have delivered a discourse to the people on Christmas day, in which he betrayed gross ignorance of divine things.
He lived till the time of the emperor Leo. Suidas says, that on his retirement from civil authority he became
ἐπίσκοπος τῶν ἱερῶν ἐν Κορυαείῳ τῆς Ψρυγίας; but whether this means
bishop of Cotyaeia in Phrygia is uncertain.
It is not known whether he wrote anything. (Cave,
Histor. Literar. vol. i.; Suidas,
s. v.）
