St. Cyprian of Carthage, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
In 248 AD, Carthage got a new bishop-Cyprian of Carthage. who went on to become a great defender of the Apostolic faith.
A rich and learned pagan, Cyprian startled people when he became a Christian.In 248, he became Bishop of Carthage.Born into a rich and cultured family,after his studies he gained a great reputation in Carthage as a great speaker and a teacher of oratory.But he led a thoughtless life, devoting himself to pleasure and idolatrous practices.
At some point, Cyprian grew sick of the immorality and corruption he saw every where around him. A priest named Caecilus helped Cyprian search for the truth. Cyprian eventually became a Christian and gave his goods away to the poor.To pagans, Cyprian’s conversion was a scandal while to Christians, it seemed nothing less than a miracle!
This man who loved a life of ease and pleasure now urged people to respect and love each other and themselves.Cyprian gave up his wealth and studies in order to concentrate on the true wisdom that comes from God.The Bible now became his favorite reading.
Having found the life he was seeking, Cyprian devoted himself to it and was ordained priest. In his writings of his period, Cyprian praised the spiritual rebirth brought about by Christianity and condemned the corrupt living of the pagans. He insisted that Christian law was superior to Jewish law and he spoke of Jesus as the true God and Redeemer of human beings.
About 248 AD, Carthage needed a new bishop and there was talk of appointing Cyprian. Some older priests had doubts, Cyprian had not been a Christian for very long, and his past life had not been inspiring. But the Christian people of Carthage made their voices heard and Cyprian was chosen. Years of great suffering lay ahead for the new Bishop and the Church of Carthage.
In one of his writings called “Unity of the Church”, Cyprian said that our Lord Jesus founded the first Church on one person, Peter, and that this was a pattern for all time.He greatly believed in the power of the Church of Rome-which he callled as the See of Peter.
In 258 AD, Cyprian was arrested by the Roman empire officials for preaching the Christian message for trial. Cyprian was asked if he headed the Christian Church at Carthage and he answered yes. He refused to sacrifice to the roman gods as the Emperor Galerius had commanded. Cyprian was condemned to be beheaded.
Cyprian waited calmly for his death. When the executioners came, Cyprian asked his deacons to give the man 25 gold pieces.Cyprian was beheaded on September 14,258 AD and his corpse was placed on the ground. During the night Christians bore it away solemn, respectful procession, praising God for a new saint in heaven!