§ 1. Renunciation. We have
seen that Cyril’s last Catechetical Lecture was delivered in the
early dawn of the Great Sabbath, Easter Eve. The additional
instructions then promised Cat. xviii. §
32, concerning the
behaviour of the Candidates were given on the same day, probably in the
evening, when they were all assembled immediately before the
administration of Baptism. The most important parts of the
Baptismal ceremony are described by Cyril in the first Mystagogic
Lecture, delivered on the Monday of Easter week. Thus in § 1
he says, Let us now teach you these things exactly, that ye may know
the significance of the things done to you on that evening of your
Baptism.”