CYFRIA'NUS, or CYPRIAN, TRASCIUS CzECILIUS ? -25S). The great leader of the early African Church. Ile was horn in North Africa, probably not in Carthage, though at the time lie first comes into notice he was living there in the luxurious style of a man of large wealth. His training had been in the law, and he had attained prominence as a teacher of rhet oric. Up to 246 he had been a pagan. Then he applied for admission to the Christian Church as a catechumen, and after instruction was baptized. Such a man was a great gain to the Church. He early gave evidence of his piety and desire to throw in his lot with the Christians by volun tarily parting with his property and giving the proceeds to the poor. In 247 he was made a presbyter, and in 24S Bishop of Carthage. He owed his rapid elevation to his high character, his noteworthy gifts of administration, and to the promise he gave of being a devoted leader. These hopes he did not belie. No sooner had he become accustomed to the duties of his high office than the peace which the Church had en joyed for many years was broken by the sudden exhibition of zeal for the old faith on the part of the Emperor Decius. By the imperial decree of 249 Christianity became a forbidden religion; its profession meant confiscation, torture, exile, even death, and bishops had a price set upon their heads. Not from cowardice, but from the conviction that it was better for him to continue to guide his flock. which he thought lie could do just as well out of Carthage as in it, in January, 250, lie went into retirement; not exactly con cealment, because it must have been easy for the authorities to find him if they wished. Thus he lived fourteen months, and then as calmly re turned to Carthage. His time had been well spent, and the fruits of it appear in his pre served correspondence and treatises. But when once more in the city he saw for himself the desolation the persecution had caused. Many had denied the faith, or pretended to do so. many had abandoned their homes, many had died. The more pressing question related to the treatment to be accorded 'lapsed,' whom he treated sternly and commanded to repent and show contrition; then lie would receive them. (See LAPSED.) He had indeed dealt with the matter while in retirement. but now he must take a more decided stand. In March, 251, he held his first council at Carthage, and there be met the internal foes, who had greatly increased during his retirement, and was compelled to yield some points. The relation between the Bishop of IZome and the Bishop of Carthage is the most interesting point. Cyprian treats
Stephen. the bishop of the former, as an equal, and they differ upon the important matter of the reception into the Chinch upon their renun ciation of heresy of those who had been baptized by hereties. Stephen—and this was the Roman and ultimately the general position—did not re baptize such, while Cyprian did. The contro between these bishops was sharp and even acrimonious. StAphen called Cyprian a pseudo. Christian; Cyprian called Stephan sehismatie.
The episcopate of C'yprian was indeed a trou bled one; heretics, schismatics, feeble, timid Christians, scheming, ambitious leaders, and, to add to the turmoil, the horrors of pestilence— all these must have greatly worried the Bishop. But lie did much to strengthen the episcopate as an institution, and make Church councils part of the regular machinery of the Church. These two services entitle him to everlasting remembrance. He held seven councils, the last in 256. But the end which lie had lung antici• gated was very near. In August, 257, persecu tion once more broke out, this time under Vale Ham, the successor of Deeius, and Cyprian was apprehended. He was treated with the utmost tenderness, for manifestly the Akers were dis charging a very disagreeable duty. He was brought before the proconsul (August 30, 257). required to sacrifice to the gods, and on his re fusal banished to Cnrubis. a free town near the sea (modern turbo), 50 miles southeast of Carthage. There he lived, attended by many friends and active in his episcopal duties. for eleven months, when lie was recalled to Carthage and lived for a while in his own home. On September 13, 253, he was again arrested, brought before the consul, sternly questioned, and sentenced to death. "Our pleasure is that Thascius Cyprianus be executed by the sword:" to which Cyprian only said, "Thanks be to God." On September 14 the sentence was carried out.
The writings of Cyprian are most interesting and handle a great variety of topics. The eighty two letters are the most important, but the treatises on the "Unity of the Church." the "Dress of Virgins?' the "Lapsed." the "Lord's Prayer," the "Vanity of Idols," "Against the -Jews," and others are very instructive. The hest edition of his writings is by G. 'Bartel (3 vols., Vienna, 1868-71) ; there is an English translation in The ..late-.Vicenc Fathers, vol. v. (Buffalo, 1S3(3-96). Consult A. Harnack. Drei wenig beach fete ryprianische Sehriften and dir Acta Pauli (Leipzig, 1899) ; and for his life consult E. W. Benson (London and New York, 1S97).