St. Cyprian of Carthage

Also known as
    Thaschus Caecilius Cyprianus

Memorial
    16 September in Western Church
    31 August in Eastern Church
    26 September in the Anglican Church

Profile
    Born to wealthy pagan parents. Taught rhetoric and literature. Adult convert in 246. Ordained in 247. Bishop of Carthage in 249. During the persecution of Decius, beginning in 250, Cyprian lived in hiding, covertly ministering to his flock; his enemies condemned him for being a coward and not standing up for his faith. Writer second only in importance to Tertullian as a Latin Father of the Church. Exiled during the persecutions of Valerian. Friend of Saint Pontius. Involved in the great argument over whether apostates should be readmitted to the Church; Cyprian believed they should, but under stringent conditions. Supported Pope Saint Cornelius against the anti-pope Novatian. In the persecutions of Valerian, he was exiled to Curubis in 257, then brought back Carthage and martyred in 258. His name is in the Communicantes in the Canon of the Mass.

Born
    190 in Carthage, North Africa

Died
    beheaded 14 September 258 in Carthage, North Africa

Canonized
    Pre-Congregation

Patronage
    Algeria
    North Africa

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