Cyprian of Carthage→Presbyters|c. 248 AD|cyprian carthage
illnessslavery captivity
Being safe by God's grace, dear brothers, I greet you and rejoice to hear that all is well with you too. Since my circumstances don't permit me to be with you right now, I ask you — by your faith and your devotion — to carry out both your duties and mine in my absence. Let nothing be wanting in either discipline or diligence.
Regarding finances: make sure there is enough to cover the expenses for those who have confessed the Lord with a courageous voice and been thrown into prison, as well as for those who are enduring poverty and need but are still standing fast in the Lord. The small fund that was collected has already been distributed among the clergy for exactly these kinds of emergencies, so that many would have the means to help individuals in their difficulties.
I also ask you to use wisdom and caution in preserving the peace. I know the brothers are eager — out of genuine love — to visit the good confessors on whom God's favor has already begun to shine. But this eagerness must be managed carefully. Don't go in crowds. Don't gather in large numbers at once. This attracts attention. It creates danger. If the privilege of visiting the prisoners is abused, it may be taken away entirely.
Approach with restraint, in small groups, rotating who goes. Even the deacons who enter and leave the prison should vary their visits, because modesty and humility are more fitting for our faith than recklessness — and more likely to preserve the access we still have.
Epistle 4
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To the Presbyters and Deacons.
Argument.— Cyprian Exhorts His Clergy from His Place of Retirement, that in His Absence They Should Be United; That Nothing Should Be Wanting to Prisoners or to the Rest of the Poor; And Further, that They Should Keep the People in Quiet, Lest, If They Should Rush in Crowds to Visit the Martyrs in Prison, This Privilege Should at Length Be Forbidden Them. A.D. 250.
1. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his beloved brethren, greeting. Being by the grace of God in safety, dearest brethren, I salute you, rejoicing that I am informed of the prosperity of all things in respect of your safety also; and as the condition of the place does not permit me to be with you now, I beg you, by your faith and your religion, to discharge there both your own office and mine, that there may be nothing wanting either to discipline or diligence. In respect of means, moreover, for meeting the expenses, whether for those who, having confessed their Lord with a glorious voice, have been put in prison, or for those who are labouring in poverty and want, and still stand fast in the Lord, I entreat that nothing be wanting, since the whole of the small sum which was collected there was distributed among the clergy for cases of that kind, that many might have means whence they could assist the necessities and burthens of individuals.
2. I beg also that there may be no lack, on your parts, of wisdom and carefulness to preserve peace. For although from their affection the brethren are eager to approach and to visit those good confessors, on whom by their glorious beginnings the divine consideration has already shed a brightness, yet I think that this eagerness must be cautiously indulged, and not in crowds — not in numbers collected together at once', lest from this very thing ill-will be aroused, and the means of access be denied, and thus, while we insatiably wish for all, we lose all. Take counsel, therefore, and see that this may be more safely managed with moderation, so that the presbyters also, who there offer with the confessors, may one by one take turns with the deacons individually; because, by thus changing the persons and varying the people that come together, suspicion is diminished. For, meek and humble in all things, as befits the servants of God, we ought to accommodate ourselves to the times, and to provide for quietness, and to have regard to the people. I bid you, brethren, beloved and dearly longed-for, always heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance. Greet all the brotherhood. Victor the deacon, and those who are with me, greet you.Farewell!
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Being safe by God's grace, dear brothers, I greet you and rejoice to hear that all is well with you too. Since my circumstances don't permit me to be with you right now, I ask you — by your faith and your devotion — to carry out both your duties and mine in my absence. Let nothing be wanting in either discipline or diligence.
Regarding finances: make sure there is enough to cover the expenses for those who have confessed the Lord with a courageous voice and been thrown into prison, as well as for those who are enduring poverty and need but are still standing fast in the Lord. The small fund that was collected has already been distributed among the clergy for exactly these kinds of emergencies, so that many would have the means to help individuals in their difficulties.
I also ask you to use wisdom and caution in preserving the peace. I know the brothers are eager — out of genuine love — to visit the good confessors on whom God's favor has already begun to shine. But this eagerness must be managed carefully. Don't go in crowds. Don't gather in large numbers at once. This attracts attention. It creates danger. If the privilege of visiting the prisoners is abused, it may be taken away entirely.
Approach with restraint, in small groups, rotating who goes. Even the deacons who enter and leave the prison should vary their visits, because modesty and humility are more fitting for our faith than recklessness — and more likely to preserve the access we still have.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.