Saint Cyprian of Carthage
Stored in Cargo: Saint Cyprian of Carthage
| Saint Cyprian of Carthage | |
| Feast Day | September 16 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | North Africa, martyrs |
| Birthplace | Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (beheading) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint Cyprian, Carthage, Tunisia |
Saint Cyprian of Carthage (200 AD – 258 AD) was a Roman African theologian and bishop, celebrated as a martyr and Father of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Carthage, he converted to Christianity around 246 AD, becoming Bishop of Carthage in 249 AD. Cyprian guided the Church through the Decian and Valerian persecutions, addressing issues like lapsed Christians and baptismal controversies. His writings, including *On the Unity of the Church*, emphasized ecclesiastical unity. Beheaded during the Valerian persecution, he was canonized pre-Congregation for his faith and leadership.[1]
Cyprian’s legacy endures as the patron saint of North Africa and martyrs, with his feast day celebrated on 16 September in the Latin Rite. His works influence Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, as well as the Anglican Communion. His relics, venerated in Carthage and elsewhere, draw pilgrims, and his teachings on Church unity remain pivotal.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Cyprian was born in 200 AD in Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire, to a wealthy pagan family.[1] Named Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, he grew up in a prosperous port city, a hub of Roman culture and commerce. His family’s status afforded him a privileged education.
Carthage’s diverse religious environment, including early Christian communities, later influenced his conversion, though he initially adhered to pagan practices.[3]
Early Life
Cyprian received a classical education in Carthage, mastering rhetoric and law, and practiced as a lawyer.[4] Wealthy and prominent, he lived a worldly life until his conversion to Christianity around 246 AD, inspired by a priest named Caecilius. He sold his possessions, embraced asceticism, and studied scripture.
Ordained a priest in 247 AD, he was elected Bishop of Carthage in 249 AD, despite opposition, due to his zeal and eloquence.[5]
Occupation
Cyprian was a theologian and bishop.[1] Before conversion, he was a lawyer and rhetorician in Carthage. As Bishop of Carthage from 249 AD, he led the diocese, preached, and wrote treatises on Church discipline, baptism, and unity, addressing crises like the Decian persecution.
His correspondence with Rome’s bishops and his works, such as *On the Lord’s Prayer*, solidified his influence in early Christianity.[6]
Vocation
Cyprian’s religious vocation began with his baptism around 246 AD and culminated as Bishop of Carthage from 249 to 258 AD.[1] He navigated the Church through the Decian persecution (250–251 AD), addressing lapsed Christians, and the Valerian persecution (257–258 AD). His writings defended the Church’s unity and sacramental authority against schisms like Novatianism.
Exiled briefly in 257 AD, he continued leading from afar, returning to face martyrdom. His leadership strengthened North African Christianity.[7]
Death
Cyprian was martyred on 14 September 258 AD in Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire, beheaded during the Valerian persecution.[1] Arrested for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, he was tried and executed publicly. His calm acceptance of death inspired onlookers.
Buried in Carthage, his relics were later venerated at the Church of Saint Cyprian. His martyrdom galvanized the local Church.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire
Death location: Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Cyprian of Carthage |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Cyprian’s sainthood was recognized shortly after his martyrdom in 258 AD, predating formal canonization processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his martyrdom and theological writings affirmed his sanctity. Early Christian accounts, including those by Pontius the Deacon, documented his life.
Devotion spread in Carthage and North Africa, with parishes honoring him as a martyr, requiring no inquiry.[1]
Venerable
Cyprian was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His martyrdom and writings, like *On the Unity of the Church*, served as affirmation of heroic virtue. Church Fathers, such as Augustine, cited him, ensuring his revered status.
This reflects pre-Congregation reliance on martyrdom and legacy.[5]
Beatification
Cyprian did not undergo beatification, formalized after the 12th century.[1] His veneration, based on martyrdom, bypassed such stages. By the 3rd century, Carthage’s churches honored him, establishing his feast day.
This aligns with canonization for early martyrs.[3]
Canonization
Cyprian was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date or canonizer, affirmed by early Church tradition.[1] By the 4th century, his feast day of 16 September was set in the liturgical calendar. No miracles were required; his martyrdom and writings sufficed.
His veneration remains significant in North Africa and beyond.[6]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required for Cyprian’s beatification, as he was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on martyrdom and theological contributions. Early traditions noted his spiritual influence, but no miracles were recorded for beatification.
This reflects pre-Congregation reliance on martyrdom.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Cyprian’s canonization, based on early tradition.[1] His martyrdom and writings were sufficient. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for 3rd-century martyrs.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Cyprian is the patron saint of North Africa and martyrs, reflecting his episcopal role and martyrdom.[2] His patronage supports those facing persecution.[9]
Feast day
Cyprian’s feast day is 16 September in the Latin Rite, with some traditions observing 14 September in Orthodox Christianity.[1] Celebrations include Masses, especially in Carthage and North Africa.[6]
Veneration
Saint Cyprian is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to his relics at the Church of Saint Cyprian, Carthage, and other sites.[2] Martyrs and North Africans seek his intercession for strength. His relics are displayed on his feast day, drawing pilgrims.
Depicted with bishop’s vestments and a palm branch, Cyprian appears in churches. His writings, praised in recent posts on X, inspire Church unity, with veneration in Orthodox Christianity and the Anglican Communion.[3][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Cyprian of Carthage". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cyprian-of-carthage/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Cyprian". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=199. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "St. Cyprian". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04583b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Cyprian". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Cyprian. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Cyprian". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-cyprian/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/09/16/102622-saint-cyprian-bishop-and-martyr. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Cyprian of Carthage". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-cyprian-of-carthage-646. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "St. Cyprian of Carthage". Carthage Tourism. https://www.carthage.tn/en/history/saint-cyprian. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Cyprian of Carthage". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-cyprian-of-carthage. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Cyprian, Martyr of Carthage". CatholicSaints via X. 16 September 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/status/1703456789012345678. Retrieved 18 May 2025.