The Presbyters Project

Epistula 41

Cyprianus Caldonio et Herculano collegis item Rogatiano et Numidico compresbyteris s[alutem]

I,2. Cumque ego uos pro me uicarios miserim, ut expugneretis necessitates fratrum nostrorum sumptibus istis [...]

Cyprian describes the disobedience of Felicissimus and excommunicates him.

(ed. Diercks 1994: 196)

Letter 41

Cyprian to Caldonius and Herculanus, his colleagues, also to Rogatianus and Numidicus, his fellow-presbyters, greeting.

I,2. And although I sent you as my substitutes to discharge the necessities of our brethren [...]

Cyprian describes the disobedience of Felicissimus and excommunicates him.

(trans. R.E. Wallis, https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf05.iv.iv.xxxvii.html)

Discussion:

For the schism of Felicissimus, see [1261] and [1270]. For the mission of Rogatianus and Numidicus, see also Letter 42 [1260].

Place of event:

Region

Latin North Africa

City

Carthage

About the source:

Author: Cyprian
Title: Letters, Epistulae, Epistolae
Origin: Carthage (Latin North Africa)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Cyprian was born probably about AD 200. He converted to Christianity in about 245 and in 248 was elected Bishop of Carthage. Soon after, the Decian persecution began (in 249/250) and Cyprian went into hiding. In 251 he returned to the city. Under Valerian, he was exiled in 257 and executed in 258. The epistolary of Cyprian consists of 81 letters (16 of them by his correspondents, and 6 synodal or collective), the majority of them are from the period of 250-251, when they were the means of Cyprian`s communication with his clergy. They offer us a wide view on the organization of the Church in Carthage in the middle of the third century, her relation with the Church of Rome, on the development of the persecutions, and on the conflicts that they caused inside the Church.

Different numerations of Cyprian's letters exist, I follow the edition of Diercks in Corpus Christianorum.

Edition:

G.F. Diercks ed., Sancti Cypriani Episcopi Epistularium. Epistulae 1-57, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 3B, Turnhout 1994.

Bibliography:

Categories:

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Described by a title - Conpresbyter

Pastoral activity - Helping the poor and needy

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1259, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1259