Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Cornelius and Cyprian: bishops
who allowed the "fallen" to return
to the Church
Both, Cornelius and Cyprian, lived in the first half of the third century, at a time when Christians were persecuted. This did not stop Cyprian, a Roman aristocrat and rhetorician, from being baptized, and both from becoming bishops, who at that time were generally first in line to be martyred for their faith.
They were divided by the Mediterranean Sea, but their views on the issues in dispute were the same, and Cyprian did not hesitate to state clearly in his letters that he recognized the primacy of the Roman Pontiff, Cornelius in the most important matters.
The Last one was elected pope by most of the Roman community (modern historians calculate that it numbered about 10,000 people). It was about a year after the death of the previous bishop of Rome, St. Fabian, who died during the persecution under Emperor Decius in 250 AD. During this time, the diocese was ruled by a priestly council headed by Novatian.
He must have come to the conclusion that he deserves the bishopric for merit, because as soon as Cornelius was declared pope, the former president of the priesthood council gathered his supporters and announced that he was taking the position.
What is more, taking advantage of the access to the papal "secretariat", he sent where he could, letters telling about taking up his dream office. The confusion was great, the bishops began writing to Rome, demanding an explanation of who actually headed the church.
Therefore, as soon as the dust settled after the persecution, Cornelius called a synod, condemned Novatian, and excluded him from the community. It should be noted, however, that ambition was not the only reason for the excommunication.
Lapsi, or how much can you forgive?
During the persecution, many Christians broke down and officially disowned their faith. They were called lapsi or fallen. When the Church was able to profess the faith in peace again, these people wanted to return to the community. And here the problem arose: is it possible to forgive a sin as grave as apostasy?
Novatian replied that not. Whoever was baptized and yet denied Christ cannot count on mercy. Even if he acknowledges his mistake and wants to return to the Church. With their group of believers, they created a Church of the Chaste in which such a grave sin was considered unforgivable and unrepentable.
Cornelius recognized that repentance and return were possible. Moreover, he was not alone when it comes to adopting such a solution - he was also supported by Cyprian, bishop of Carthage. Cyprian, by his exemplary, truly Christian life, he was so respected that in 247 AD he was ordained priest with the unanimous support of the Carthaginian faithful. When Donatus, the bishop of Carthage, died in AD 248, Cyprian, despite his flight and resistance, was sought out and consecrated bishop. However, five priests, who envied Cyprian such a rapid promotion, expressed opposition. From then on, they became his mortal enemies.
Cyprian wrote two treatise which justified the decision of the pope Cornelius: “On the unity of the Church” and “On the fallen”. Very heavy and long penances were imposed on the returners, but the door was not slammed in front of them.
Cyprian perfectly understood those whom he defended because he himself hid during the reign of Decius. He was aware that he was not strong enough not to deny his faith, so he chose to flee and lead the diocese from hiding. He left the place of hiding when the persecution ceased
Epidemic
In 252 an epidemic broke out in the empire. The people made processions and made offerings to appease the gods. The Christians were not involved, so it was only a matter of time before they were found guilty of the plague. This time the persecution did not come from the authorities, the faithful were killed, their houses were destroyed and robbed, because in the end someone had to be to blame.
The following year after the riots began, Cornelius died. We do not know if he was murdered by the crowd or if he died in exile as a result of bad treatment. It is only known that from the beginning he was venerated by the faithful as a martyr.
For the first time in the history of the Church, Cornelius listed all ranks of the Roman clergy. The Church in Rome counted: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons, 42 acolytes, 52 exorcists, teachers, ostiaries. At that time, the Christian community in Rome had, it is believed, approximately 10,000 believers.
Gold for the executioner
Tumult also reached Carthage. Cyprian responded to it again with a treatise - On the immortality of the soul, in which he refuted the arguments of the pagans, and this time the persecution bypassed him. In 257, this time Emperor Valerian recognized that Christians were a hostile element in society. Another hunt began.
The bishop of Carthage, unlike eight years earlier, accepted the arrest. A year later, Cyprian was tried and he was sentenced to death. He took this decision calmly, and even paid his executioner for the execution of the sentence (this was the custom in those days). He was publicly beheaded on September 14, 258.
Both martyrs are mentioned in the Roman Canon, and Cyprian is recognized as one of the greatest Church Fathers in North Africa. Thanks to them, anyone who has renounced faith and then regained it again can find his place in the Church anew. There is something to thank them for.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george