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Cyprian of Carthage
Cyprian of Carthage (c. 210 – September 14, 258) was a Roman preacher, bishop, and martyr whose ministry profoundly shaped early Christian theology and church governance in North Africa during the 3rd century. Born Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus in Carthage, North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), to wealthy pagan parents, he was a skilled rhetorician and lawyer before his conversion to Christianity around 246 at about age 36, influenced by the priest Caecilianus. Ordained shortly after, he was elected Bishop of Carthage in 248 or 249, leading the church through turbulent times of persecution and schism. Cyprian’s preaching career centered on his episcopal role, where he delivered sermons emphasizing church unity, the authority of bishops, and the necessity of baptism, often preserved in his extensive writings like De Unitate Ecclesiae (On the Unity of the Church) and over 60 surviving letters. He fled Carthage during the Decian persecution (250–251) to guide his flock via correspondence, returning to face the Novatian schism and plague outbreaks, preaching resilience and charity. Married before conversion, though details are scarce, he embraced celibacy as a Christian leader. Executed by beheading at age 48 under Emperor Valerian’s edict, he died in Carthage, leaving a legacy as a key Church Father and saint celebrated for his martyrdom and theological contributions.
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Cyprian of Carthage writes a friendly and familiar epistle to the elders and deacons in Rome, expressing joy upon hearing of the glorious end of his colleague. He commends the Roman clergy for honoring their bishop's memory publicly, setting an example of faith and virtue for others to follow. Cyprian also addresses concerns about a potentially altered epistle, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity in clerical communication.
Epistle 3
TO THE PRESBYTERS AND DEACONS ABIDING AT ROME. A.D. 250. ARGUMENT.--THIS IS A FAMILIAR AND FRIENDLY EPISTLE; SO THAT IT REQUIRES NO FORMAL ARGUMENT, ESPECIALLY AS IT CAN BE SUFFICIENTLY GATHERED FROM THE TITLE ITSELF. THE LETTER OF THE ROMAN CLERGY, TO WHICH CYPRIAN IS REPLYING, IS MISSING. 1. Cyprian to the elders and deacons, brethren abiding at Rome, sends, greeting. When the report of the departure of the excellent man, my colleague, was still uncertain among us, my beloved brethren, and I was wavering doubtfully in my opinion on the matter, I received a letter sent to me from you by Crementius the sub-deacon, in which I was most abundantly informed of his glorious end; and I rejoiced greatly that, in harmony with the integrity of his administration, an honourable consummation also attended him. Wherein, moreover, I greatly congratulate you, that you honour his memory with a testimony so public and so illustrious, so that by your means is made known to me, not only what is glorious to you in connection with the memory of your bishop, but what ought to afford to me also an example of faith and virtue. For in proportion as the fall of a bishop is an event which tends ruinously to the fall of his followers, so on the other hand it is a useful and helpful thing when a bishop, by the firmness of his faith, sets himself forth to his brethren as an object of imitation. 2. I have, moreover, read another epistle, in which neither the person who wrote nor the persons to whom it was written were plainly declared; and inasmuch as in the same letter both the writing and the matter, and even the paper itself, gave me the idea that something had been taken away, or had been changed from the original, I have sent you back the epistle as it actually came to hand, that you may examine whether it is the very same which you gave to Crementius the sub-deacon, to carry. For it is a very serious thing if the truth of a clerical letter is corrupted by any falsehood or deceit. In order, then, that we may know this, ascertain whether the writing and subscription are yours, and write me again what is the truth of the matter. I bid you, dearest brethren, ever heartily farewell.
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Cyprian of Carthage (c. 210 – September 14, 258) was a Roman preacher, bishop, and martyr whose ministry profoundly shaped early Christian theology and church governance in North Africa during the 3rd century. Born Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus in Carthage, North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), to wealthy pagan parents, he was a skilled rhetorician and lawyer before his conversion to Christianity around 246 at about age 36, influenced by the priest Caecilianus. Ordained shortly after, he was elected Bishop of Carthage in 248 or 249, leading the church through turbulent times of persecution and schism. Cyprian’s preaching career centered on his episcopal role, where he delivered sermons emphasizing church unity, the authority of bishops, and the necessity of baptism, often preserved in his extensive writings like De Unitate Ecclesiae (On the Unity of the Church) and over 60 surviving letters. He fled Carthage during the Decian persecution (250–251) to guide his flock via correspondence, returning to face the Novatian schism and plague outbreaks, preaching resilience and charity. Married before conversion, though details are scarce, he embraced celibacy as a Christian leader. Executed by beheading at age 48 under Emperor Valerian’s edict, he died in Carthage, leaving a legacy as a key Church Father and saint celebrated for his martyrdom and theological contributions.