Saint Cyprian of Carthage

Saint Cyprian was a rhetorician who converted to Christianity, became bishop of Carthage, and was martyred during the persecution of Valerian. His writings address unity, episcopal authority, persecution, reconciliation of the lapsed, baptism, prayer, and pastoral leadership. On the Unity of the Catholic Church became especially influential. Cyprian’s correspondence provides an unusually detailed view of third-century church governance and crisis.