The Epistles of Cyprian
Treatise I. On the Unity of the Church.
Treatise II. On the Dress of Virgins.
Treatise III. On the Lapsed.
Treatise IV. On the Lord's Prayer.
Treatise V. An Address to Demetrianus.
Treatise VI. On the Vanity of Idols
Treatise VII. On the Mortality.
Treatise VIII. On Works and Alms.
Treatise IX. On the Advantage of Patience.
Treatise X. On Jealousy and Envy.
Treatise XI. Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus.
Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.
The Seventh Council of Carthage Under Cyprian.
Cyprian - On the Public Shows.
Cyprian - On the Glory of Martyrdom.
Cyprian - Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity.
Cyprian - Exhortation to Repentance.

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CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE

Cyprian (c. AD 200-258) was born in Carthage of a wealthy family. He was converted through his reading of the Scriptures and Tertullian's writings. Following his conversion in his late 40s, he gave much of his wealth to the poor. A year later he was elected a presbyter, and the following year (AD 248), he filled the office of bishop of Carthage, after the death of the previous bishop.

When appointed bishop of Carthage, he accepted the honourable title of 'Papa' (i.e. pope or father). The bishop of Alexandria was the first to accept this title. Afterwards, the title was adopted by the bishop of Rome.

For the remaining ten years of his life, Cyprian labored incessantly. It was a stormy period of persecution without, and agitation within, the church. When the Decian persecution came upon the church, Cyprian saw in it God's judgment upon her for her laxity, desire for wealth, fraudulance, false oaths, slander and deceit.

During the persecution, Cyprian fled, but justified his own action by saying that it was not the time for his martyrdom - maintaining that it was biblical to flee from such persecution rather than court martyrdom. While in hiding, he wrote many letters of encouragement to his presbyters and deacons.

When persecution died down, he returned to Carthage and presided over the Council of Carthage in 251 AD, which decided that pardon could only be granted to lapsed Christians after a proper period of penitence.

Two later councils held in 254 and 256 AD, again presided over by Cyprian, dealt with the issue of the validity of heretical baptism, and decided that it was invalid - even though performed in the name of the Trinity. This was opposed by bishop Stephen of Rome and occasioned much controversy. Shortly afterwards, Cyprian was martyred in the Valerian persecution - displaying inflexible courage and faithfulness in his stand as a Christian.