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 Saint Cyprian Valerian Persecutions Issue Scott 260 (1959) September 16 marks the feast day of Saints Cyprian and Cornelius. These saints were contemporaries in the mid-3rd century and eventually died martyrs' deaths as a result of Roman persecution. They are remembered in the Litany of Saints and Martyrs recited in the Catholic Church's Eucharistic Prayer 1. The stamp shown above of Saint Cyprian comes from the Valerian Persecutions issue of 1959.  Image of Pope Cornelius, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain Saint Cornelius has not been specifically depicted on a stamp from Vatican City. The medallion shown above comes from the ring of images of all the popes at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Saint Cornelius was elected Pope in 251 AD as the 21st pope and served during a period of intense persecution of the Church. At the time, a controversy existed regarding the Sacrament of Penance, specifically as it related to whether the Church should pardon and receive back into the Church those who had committed apostacy (the rejection of their faith in the face of martyrdom). Two schools of thought existed at the extremes: some argued that the Church should not welcome back apostates, while others felt they should be welcomed back freely. Cornelius took a middle ground whereby apostates should be welcomed back, but he insisted that they perform an adequate penance. In addition to contending with Roman persecution, Cornelius had to end the schism brought on by his rival, Novatian, who was seated as the first 'anti-pope'. Cornelius was eventually decreed as the rightful pope. In 253 AD, Cornelius was exiled by the emperor Gallus and died due to the hardships of his exile.  Icon of St. Cyprian of Carthage From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain It can be stated that Saint Cyprian of Carthage, within the early Church in Africa, is second in importance only to the great Saint Augustine. Born a pagan, he converted to Christianity at the age of 56, was ordained a priest a year later, and made bishop two years after that. He helped develop Christian practice, particularly in northern Africa, with his most famous theological writing being The Unity of the Catholic Church. He was a close friend of Pope Cornelius and supported him both against the anti-pope Novatian and in his views concerning the re-admittance of apostates into the Church. During the pandemic that ravaged the Roman Empire starting in 249 AD, Cyprian urged Christians to help all, even their enemies and persecutors. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Plague of Cyprian'. During the Decian persecutions, Cyprian went into hiding and guided his followers covertly, a decision for which he was attacked by his enemies. Eventually he was martyred by beheading during the persecutions of the emperor Valerian in 258 AD. REFERENCES: |
