Who Was St. Cyprian?

(Second in a series)

Last week we read of Cyprian’s are called to lead a community or groundswell began that would lift earlier years and of his struggle to find share in the ministerial priesthood. Cyprian to the office of Bishop. Who and embrace the truth about himself, This is due to a norm laid down in first suggested his name is not known, about God and about the ultimate Sacred Scripture by St. Paul (1 Tim but the consensus of the Christians as meaning of his life. Once he heard the 3:6). But this norm was set aside in they gathered together in Carthage Gospel message he was overjoyed but Cyprian’s case. Within a year he was became clear, “Cyprian!” also fearful. He was drawn by the ordained a priest. Evidently he served glory of Christ’s saving truth but so well in that capacity that within Trust God doubtful he could ever live up to its less than a year he would be called to As the news of this first reached demands. Finally he yielded in trust to lead the whole diocese of Carthage as Cyprian’s ears he was filled with almighty God’s power to save and he its bishop. dread. How, he wondered, could he discovered the power of leaning on ever take up so difficult and weighty the Lord. After his baptism St. an office as that of Bishop? Why did Cyprian came alive with new life and they not ask an older and more discovered a new-found joy in the experienced priest? But the crowd freedom of God’s children. persisted. In his fear Cyprian fled the scene. He could not go far though and, He was baptized on April 18, in the sure enough, he was discovered to year 246 at the Easter vigil. He was have gone home. The crowd gathered now thirty-six years old and newly outside his home and surrounded it. baptized. Though he had carefully Cyprian, though knowing himself to prepared himself for his baptism and be trapped, tried to escape through a entrance into the life of faith, he now window! Seeing it was all to no avail, pressed on with even more study and he finally presented himself to the prayer. He earnestly read and re-read crowd who received him with great every book of Sacred Scripture and joy. Once again, the Lord was calling sought to heed the lessons taught there Cyprian to trust, He can make a way for living a life pleasing to God. He out of no way. With unanimous noted with particular emphasis the approval of the other bishops of the exhortations of Scripture to love the province, Cyprian was consecrated poor and to live chastely. As noted last Bishop of Carthage, North Africa the week, he sold his whole estate and third largest city of the ancient world. gave the money for the care of the He was 38 years old and barely two poor. He also took a vow of chastity years baptized. and led a humble, penitential life. Cyprian brought with him a great We must remember that Cyprian was dedication to his office combined with a well known man to the whole city of a keen intellect and administrative Carthage. He was a learned and skill. These qualities are surely capable man, well regarded by all. essential for a bishop but above all, a Thus his profound conversion caused bishop must be a wise and loving quite a stir. Perhaps some of his old Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage shepherd for his people. Here too friends were alarmed. But the It was the year 248 A.D. and Cyprian showed great gifts. Eighty- Christians of Carthage were most Donatus, the Bishop of Carthage had two letters of St. Cyprian survive to delighted. This is illustrated by two just died. It was the practice of the this day and give us a portrait of a events that were shortly to follow. early Church in many parts of the passionate and faithful bishop who ancient world to permit the members wished to console and encourage the Ordained a Priest. of the local Church to present a man faithful under his care. There was It is rare that the newly baptized for the office of Bishop. And so it was much need for such a ministry for that after the burial of Donatus, a within a year of his ordination as because of his notable conversion. He would come, but for now, his Bishop a fierce persecution broke out was one of the most prominent pagan community, devastated by defections against the Christians of the Roman citizens of Carthage who not only needed absolutely to be able to count Empire. became a Christian but also set aside on him, even if in exile. the whole aristocratic and worldly Persecution manner of life. Where exactly St. Cyprian stayed In Cyprian’s time the Roman Empire during this exile is not certain. It may was still officially pagan. Worship of Exile have actually been in the city itself. the gods of the empire was considered Here was a chance for Cyprian to But where ever it was it could not a patriotic duty. From time to time step forth and accept a martyr’s death. have been far since his (especially in times of crisis, or of In Rome, Pope Fabian had already correspondence with the Christian special celebrations) Roman Emperors been martyred. But Cyprian would not faithful by letter was so voluminous would issue edicts calling on all be killed in this persecution. He chose and showed such an awareness of citizens to offer formal worship to the to seclude himself in a self-imposed events at Carthage. From his place of pagan gods. To fail in this duty was a exile. Although he later received some exile Bishop Cyprian instructed, crime punishable in various ways: criticism for this, the decision was exhorted and encouraged the faithful fines, imprisonment and even death. made by him for carefully considered of Carthage. Where necessary he also Christians obviously ran into trouble reasons. As he himself remarked, corrected and admonished them. with such legal requirements and There is great danger that the frequently suffered greatly due to collapse of a leader may lead to the The persecution abates them. To be sure, many ordinary downfall of his followers. (Letter 9.1.2 In 251 A.D. Emperor Decius died citizens could escape notice but Romae consistentibus) So it is not and there was a temporary halt to the prominent Christians were often always heroic or virtuous to leap into persecution. Cyprian was able to sought out and made an example of to the jaws of the lion merely because it appear openly in Carthage once again strike fear in all others who might pursues. Martyrdom does not mean and the Christian faithful were refuse to worship. Here then is the casting one’s life aside unnecessarily. generally accorded their freedom. background for the persecution that Had not the scriptures given this same Sadly, many Christians had given way would trouble Bishop Cyprian and the counsel, When they persecute you in to fear during the persecution and they City of Carthage one town, flee to the next (Matt offered sacrifice to the pagan gods. 10:23)? As bishop he gave this same Now many sought to be readmitted to In 250 A.D. Decius became the advice to all the members of his flock. the Church. There were various Roman Emperor. Shortly after taking Cleary they could not offer the opinions about what to do in such power he issued an order that all in sacrifice to the pagan gods. But cases. Some held they could never the Empire were to offer sacrifice to neither should they intentionally place return. Others said the whole matter the gods of Rome. His reasons for themselves in vulnerable situations. should be overlooked and they should doing this were many but one thing Further he advised, they should make be readmitted without any penance. was certain, the enemies of the every effort not to stir up trouble for Cyprian called a Council of the Christians were delighted. They knew the Christian community. Even their African Bishops in Carthage where that faithful followers of Christ could visits to Christians jailed for failing to his own position was eventually not offer such sacrifice. In Carthage, offer sacrifice should be discrete adopted. Those who had lapsed from as soon as the law of sacrifice was (Letter 5.2.1 Fratribus carissimis). the faith were to be readmitted to the proclaimed, enemies of the Christian Finally it should be stated that Church after confession and a time of Church ran through the streets crying, Cyprian indicated, according to his penance tempered with mercy. The “Cyprian to the Lions!” biographer Pontian, that he had Church at Rome also concurred with received in prayer a clear mandate this view. Cyprian was targeted not only from the Lord to act so as to save his because he was Bishop but also life. Cyprian’s time for martyrdom (Next week: Plague hits Carthage, the persecution resumes and Cyprian dies a martyr).