Letter 81

Cyprian to his brother Successus, greetings. The reason I could not write you immediately, dearest brother, was that all the clergy, being in the very heat of the contest, were unable in any way to leave this place — all of them prepared, in accordance with the devotion of their hearts, for divine and heavenly glory. But know that messengers I sent to the City for this purpose have returned, having found out and brought back to us the truth of what has been decreed concerning us. For many uncertain and varied reports have been circulating. The truth of the matter is this: Valerian has issued a rescript to the Senate to the effect that bishops, presbyters, and deacons are to be punished without delay. Senators, men of rank, and Roman knights are to lose their social standing and, in addition, to be stripped of their property. If, having lost their wealth, they persist in being Christians, they are to lose their heads as well. Aristocratic women are to be stripped of their property and banished. Members of Caesar's household who are already Christians or who confess the faith from this point forward are to have their property confiscated and are to be sent in chains to work on Caesar's estates. This is what has been decreed. The blow is falling everywhere at once. This is not a hidden threat but an open sentence. Let everyone know what awaits them, that each may be prepared. The time for calculation is past. The time for standing firm has come. Do not be afraid. The Master who assigns the suffering also assigns the crown. Pass this news to our other colleagues, so that everywhere our brothers may be strengthened by the knowledge of what is required of them — and may face it with the courage that belongs to those who belong to Christ.

Epistle 81 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To Successus on the Tidings Brought from Rome, Telling of the Persecution. Argument.— Cyprian Tells the Bishop Successus, that in a Severe Persecution that Had Been Decreed by the Emperor Valerian Xistus the Bishop Had Suffered at Rome on the Eighth of the Ides of August; And He Begs Him to Intimate the Same to the Rest of His Colleagues, that Each One Might Animate His Own Flock to Martyrdom. 1. Cyprian to his brother Successus, greeting. The reason why I could not write to you immediately, dearest brother, was that all the clergy, being placed in the very heat of the contest, were unable in any way to depart hence, all of them being prepared in accordance with the devotion of their mind for divine and heavenly glory. But know that those have come whom I had sent to the City for this purpose, that they might find out and bring back to us the truth, in whatever manner it had been decreed respecting us. For many various and uncertain things are current in men's opinions. But the truth concerning them is as follows, that Valerian had sent a rescript to the Senate, to the effect that bishops and presbyters and deacons should immediately be punished; but that senators, and men of importance, and Roman knights, should lose their dignity, and moreover be deprived of their property; and if, when their means were taken away, they should persist in being Christians, then they should also lose their heads; but that matrons should be deprived of their property, and sent into banishment. Moreover, people of Caesar's household, whoever of them had either confessed before, or should now confess, should have their property confiscated, and should be sent in chains by assignment to Caesar's estates. The Emperor Valerian also added to this address a copy of the letters which he sent to the presidents of the provinces concerning us; which letters we are daily hoping will come, waiting according to the strength of our faith for the endurance of suffering, and expecting from the help and mercy of the Lord the crown of eternal life. But know that Xistus was martyred in the cemetery on the eighth day of the Ides of August, and with him four deacons. Moreover, the prefects in the City are daily urging on this persecution; so that, if any are presented to them, they are martyred, and their property claimed by the treasury. 2. I beg that these things may be made known by your means to the rest of our colleagues, that everywhere, by their exhortation, the brotherhood may be strengthened and prepared for the spiritual conflict, that every one of us may think less of death than of immortality; and, dedicated to the Lord, with full faith and entire courage, may rejoice rather than fear in this confession, wherein they know that the soldiers of God and Christ are not slain, but crowned. I bid you, dearest brother, ever heartily farewell in the Lord.