Saint of the Day September 13 b. about 200 ce in Carthage, North Africa d. September 258 in Carthage, North Africa Born into a wealthy pagan family, Cyprian was educated in and practiced law. In 246 he converted to Christianity, and became a bishop about 2 years later. The church faced persecution under the Roman emperor Decian. Christians had two options to escape martyrdom. They could get a written excuse, called a libelli, which stated that they had sacrificed to pagan gods, as required. Or they could recant completely. Cyprian went into hiding; many believers were frightened and felt abandoned. Cyprian returned when the persecution died down, but the church faced a problem: could those who had become apostate be returned to the church? and who had the right to decide this? Cyprian took heat for disappearing, but he was minded to allow members of the laity to return, though not apostate bishops. Decisions of a council of bishops he convened set precedent for a forgiving church. Carthage suffered a severe plague epidemic during Emperor Valerian’s reign. Cyprian organized a program of medical relief and nursing of the sick, available to all residents. Most people, however, believed that the epidemic resulted from the wrath of the Roman gods at the spread of Christianity. Another persecution arose, and this time Cyprian did not flee. He was arrested, tried, and finally beheaded on 14 September 258. (Because the 14th is Holy Cross Day, he is usually commemorated on a nearby open day.) Prayer Almighty God, who gave to your servant Cyprian boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Saints Alive!
I have been privileged to offer Noonday Prayer at my church, usually on Thursdays, which doesn’t matter because it’s on Youtube forever. [It’s amazing what can be done with a smartphone and a smart, helpful parish administrator!] The service is brief, with a place for a meditation. We usually look at the Episcopal calendar of saints, who are nearly always honored on their death dates, not their birth dates. Here is a hymn by medieval saint Hildegard of Bingen to set the mood.
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