Saint Cyprian of Carthage

Life story

Cyprian was born around 200 in Carthage, North Africa, into an educated pagan family. He was a respected teacher of rhetoric and became a Christian around 246. Only a few years later, around 248 or 249, although still a new convert, he was chosen by the people as bishop of Carthage.

In 250 the emperor Decius ordered everyone to offer sacrifice to the gods. Cyprian withdrew from the city and ran the Church from hiding, a choice some criticised. Many believers gave way under pressure, and when the persecution eased the question arose of whether and how to receive them back. He wrote On the Lapsed and On the Unity of the Church in answer. In 252, when a plague swept through the city, he urged his people to care for the sick, including pagans.

He also argued bitterly with Pope Stephen over whether to recognise baptism given by separated groups, a dispute still unresolved at his death. Under the emperor Valerian he was exiled to Curubis in 257 and later brought back for trial. On 14 September 258 he was beheaded at Carthage. A record of his trial survives in the Acts of Cyprian. The Church keeps his feast on 16 September, together with Pope Cornelius. His letters, around eighty of which survive, give a vivid picture of how a third-century bishop governed his Church, and they were copied and quoted in the Latin West for centuries.

Works and witness

• Went from pagan orator to bishop of Carthage within a few years of converting
• Led his Church through the Decian persecution of 250
• Wrote On the Lapsed and On the Unity of the Church
• Urged care for the sick during the plague of 252
• Beheaded at Carthage on 14 September 258

Saints from the same country

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Saint Louis IX of France

References

• Cyprian of Carthage, De lapsis and De ecclesiae unitate
• Acts of Cyprian (Acta proconsularia)
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.