Hieromartyr Cyprian

Life

He was born of pagan parents and was himself raised in polytheism. He became renowned in Carthage as a teacher of philosophy and rhetoric. He was married. But when he became a Christian, he ceased living with his wife and gave himself to ceaseless labor, day and night, in the study of Holy Scripture and the perfecting of his character. Because of his extraordinary virtues he was chosen first as a presbyter and soon as a bishop. He was as merciful toward Christians as he was firm against heretics. He wrote many instructive works, guided by the Holy Spirit. He wrote with particular power against idolatry, Judaism, and the heresy of Novatian. Beautiful and sweet are his writings on virginity, as well as on martyrdom, almsgiving, patience, the Lord's Prayer, and so forth. He suffered in the time of Valerian and Gallienus, in 258. Before his death he prayed to God, blessed the people, and left twenty-four gold coins to be given to the executioner who would behead him. The unattainable greatness and magnanimity of a true Christian!