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E00916: The Life of *Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411), describing his last days and martyrdom in 258, and also briefly his early life and episcopal activity, is written in Latin at Carthage, possibly by his deacon Pontius, and certainly before 359.
online resource
posted on 2015-12-01, 00:00 authored by dlambertPontius of Carthage, Life of Cyprian
Summary:
The author explains that he aims to describe the life of a man who not only in his death but also in his life was an incomparable example to others. Since he was a martyr and bishop he should be honoured more than those who were simply lay people and catechumens (ch. 1).
After his conversion Cyprian sells his property and distributes money to the poor (ch. 2). Because of the strength of his faith he skips the period of the catechumenate, and is quickly ordained presbyter and bishop. He imitates examples of old, was equal to Job, and so should be imitated by others (ch. 3). He is befriended by a certain presbyter Caecilianus who had earlier converted him to Christianity (ch. 4). Being still a neophyte he is elected a bishop, though he does not want to take this office (ch. 5). As a bishop he is steady, serious, but joyful. He cares for the poor (ch. 6). His fame grows and pagans want to throw him to the lions. He desires it strongly himself, but fears that the result would be to deprive the faithful, virgins, martyrs and confessors of his help. If he avoids martyrdom he does from fear of offending God by choosing the martyr’s crown instead of service to the people (ch. 7). His direction is needed in the times of persecution (ch. 8). During the plague he cares not only for Christians, but also for pagans (ch. 9). He is sent into exile (ch. 11). He is overjoyed when a vision predicts his martyrdom (ch. 12). He requests a day of delay, but a year is granted to allow him to make necessary dispositions (ch. 13).
He receives news from Rome about the martyrdom of bishop Xystus (Sixtus), and awaits his own death (ch. 14). When Cyprian is arrested, all the Christians gather to witness his death (ch. 15). The crowd follows him to the place of execution. There an officer who formerly was a Christian wants to take his clothes wet with now bloodstained sweat (ch. 16; see $E00980). The proconsul reads the sentence of death (ch. 17). Cyprian is beheaded (ch. 18; see $E00981). He is the first in Africa to obtain the two crowns, of martyrdom and priesthood (ch. 19; see $E00982).
Summary: Robert Wiśniewski.
Summary:
The author explains that he aims to describe the life of a man who not only in his death but also in his life was an incomparable example to others. Since he was a martyr and bishop he should be honoured more than those who were simply lay people and catechumens (ch. 1).
After his conversion Cyprian sells his property and distributes money to the poor (ch. 2). Because of the strength of his faith he skips the period of the catechumenate, and is quickly ordained presbyter and bishop. He imitates examples of old, was equal to Job, and so should be imitated by others (ch. 3). He is befriended by a certain presbyter Caecilianus who had earlier converted him to Christianity (ch. 4). Being still a neophyte he is elected a bishop, though he does not want to take this office (ch. 5). As a bishop he is steady, serious, but joyful. He cares for the poor (ch. 6). His fame grows and pagans want to throw him to the lions. He desires it strongly himself, but fears that the result would be to deprive the faithful, virgins, martyrs and confessors of his help. If he avoids martyrdom he does from fear of offending God by choosing the martyr’s crown instead of service to the people (ch. 7). His direction is needed in the times of persecution (ch. 8). During the plague he cares not only for Christians, but also for pagans (ch. 9). He is sent into exile (ch. 11). He is overjoyed when a vision predicts his martyrdom (ch. 12). He requests a day of delay, but a year is granted to allow him to make necessary dispositions (ch. 13).
He receives news from Rome about the martyrdom of bishop Xystus (Sixtus), and awaits his own death (ch. 14). When Cyprian is arrested, all the Christians gather to witness his death (ch. 15). The crowd follows him to the place of execution. There an officer who formerly was a Christian wants to take his clothes wet with now bloodstained sweat (ch. 16; see $E00980). The proconsul reads the sentence of death (ch. 17). Cyprian is beheaded (ch. 18; see $E00981). He is the first in Africa to obtain the two crowns, of martyrdom and priesthood (ch. 19; see $E00982).
Summary: Robert Wiśniewski.
History
Evidence ID
E00916Saint Name
Cyprian, bishop of Carthage (Africa) and martyr, ob. 258 : S00411Saint Name in Source
CyprianusRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Lives of saintLanguage
- Latin