Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

Their story

Cornelius and Cyprian were close friends and allies in the Church of the third century, though one lived in Rome and the other in North Africa. During the persecution of the emperor Decius, many Christians had given in and offered sacrifice to the pagan gods to save their lives. When the persecution ended, many of them wanted to return to the Church. Some Christians insisted they could never be forgiven. Others wanted to readmit them with no penance at all. Cornelius was elected pope in 251, after the see of Rome had been empty for more than a year following the martyrdom of Pope Fabian. He taught that those who had fallen could be forgiven and welcomed back after sincere repentance and penance. A Roman priest named Novatian opposed him and set himself up as a rival pope. Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, strongly supported Cornelius and the unity of the Church. Cornelius was soon exiled by the emperor Gallus and died in exile in 253. Cyprian had been a wealthy pagan teacher before his conversion. As bishop he wrote famous works on the unity of the Church, saying that no one can have God for a Father who does not have the Church for a mother. When plague struck Carthage, he organized Christians to care for all the sick, pagans as well as believers. In 258, during the persecution of Valerian, he was beheaded. His last words were "Thanks be to God." Both men are named in the First Eucharistic Prayer.