LETTERS BETWEEN THE CHURCHES OF ROME AND OF CARTHAGE
In telling the story of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus we have met personalities of the highest order: the martyr popes Fabian, Cornelius, Sixtus II...and the bishop of Carthage St. Cyprian. The Church of Rome and that of Carthage were often in contact. It is interesting to know the contents of some letters, to be acquainted with what those great Pastors talked about and how they judged their times, which were anything but tranquil.
1. The Church of Rome to the Church of Carthage
The Church of Rome , during the persecution of emperor Decius, offered to the Church of Carthage the following testimonial of its faithfulness to Christ.
Rome, early 250.
" ... The Church resists strong in the faith. It is true that some have yielded, being alarmed at the possibility that their high social position might attract attention, or from simple human frailty. Nevertheless, though they are now separated from us, we have not abandoned them in their defection, but have helped them and keep still close to them, so that by penance they may be rehabilitated and pardoned by Him who can forgive. Indeed if we were to leave them to their own resources, their fall would become irreparable.
Try and do the same, dearest brothers, extending your hand to those who have fallen, that they may rise again. Thus, if they should be arrested, they may this time feel strong enough to confess the faith and redress their former error.
Allow me also to remind you of what course to take on another problem. Those who surrendered in the time of trial, and are now ill and have repented and want communion with the Church, should be helped. Widows and other persons unable to present themselves spontaneously, as also those in prison or far from home, ought to have people ready to look after them. Nor should catechumens who have fallen ill remain disappointed in their expectation of help.
The brethren who are in prison, the clergy and the entire Church, that watches so carefully over those who call on the Lord's name, salute you. In return we also ask you to remember us" (letter 8,2-3).
2. The Bishop of Carthage to the Church of Rome
When Cyprian was informed of pope Fabian's death, he wrote this letter to the priests and deacons in Rome.
Carthage, early 250.
" My dear brothers,
News of the death of my saintly fellow-bishop was still uncertain and information doubtful, when I received your letter brought by subdeacon Crementius, telling me fully of his glorious death. Then I rejoiced, as his admirable governing of the Church had been followed by a noble end.
For this I share your gladness, as you honour the memory of so solemn and splendid a witness, communicating to us also the glorious recollection you have of your bishop, and offering us such an example of faith and fortitude.
Indeed, harmful as the fall of a leader is to his subjects, no less valuable and salutary for his brethren is the example of a bishop firm in his faith... My wish, dearest brothers, is for your continued welfare" (Letter 1).
3. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage to pope Cornelius
Ciprian pays homage to the testimony and fidelity shown by the Pope Cornelius and by the Church of Rome: " a magnificent testimony of a Church entirely united in one spirit and one voice". Foreseeing an imminent time of trial also for the Church of Carthage, Cyprian asks for the brotherly help of prayer and charity.
Carthage, autumn 153.
"Cyprian to Cornelius, his brother bishop.
We know, dearest brother, of your faith, your fortitude and your open witness. All this does you great honour and it gives me so much joy that I feel myself part of and companion in your merits and undertakings.
Since indeed the Church is one, and one and inseparable is love, and one and unbreakable is the harmony of hearts, what priest singing the praises of another does not rejoice as though they were his own glory? And what brother would not feel happy at the joy of his brethren? Certainly none can imagine the exultation and great joy there has been among us here when we have learnt such fine things, like the proofs of strength you have given.
You have led your brethren to testify their faith, and that very confession of yours has been strengthened further by that of the brethren. Thus, while you have gone before the others in the path of glory, and have shown yourself ready to be the first in testifying for all, you have persuaded the people too to confess the same faith.
So we cannot decide what to praise more in you, your prompt and unshakeable faith or your community's indivisible fraternal charity. In all its splendour, the courage of the bishop leading his people has been manifested, and the fidelity of the people in full solidarity with their bishop has been a great and shining example. Through all of you, the Church of Rome has given a magnificent testimony, entirely united in one spirit and one voice.
In this way, dear brother, the faith which the Apostle recognised and praised in your community, has shown forth. We may say that he, then, already foresaw prophetically and celebrated your courage and your indomitable fortitude. Already then he recognised your merits which were to make you glorious. He exalted the deeds of the fathers, foreseeing those of their sons.
With your complete harmony and strength of spirit, you have given all Christians a shining example of constancy and unity.
Dear brother, the Lord in his Providence forewarns us that the hour of trial is at hand. God in his goodness and eagerness for our salvation gives us helpful promptings for the coming struggle. So, in the name of charity which binds us together, let us help one another, persevering with the entire community, with fasts, vigils and prayer. These are for us the heavenly arms which keep us firm and strongly united, and make us persevere. These are the spiritual weapons and the divine arrows which protect us.
Let us remember one another in harmony and spiritual brotherhood. Let us pray for each other at all times and in all places, and let us try to lessen our sufferings with mutual charity" (Letter 60,1-2).
4. Cyprian announces the death of pope Sixtus II
The Church of Carthage had sent some ecclesiastics to Rome to get some news about the decree of Emperor Valerian. They returned with the painful news of the death of pope Sixtux II. Cyprian at once conveyed the information to the Churches of Africa by the following letter to bishop Successus.
Carthage, August 258.
"My dearest brother,
I was unable to send you a letter earlier because none of the clergy of this Church could move, being all under persecution, which however, thank God, found them inwardly most ready to pass at once to heaven. I now send you what news I have.
The envoys I sent to Rome have returned. I sent them to verify and report the decision taken by the authorities concerning myself, whatever it may be, and so put an end to all the speculations and uncontrolled hypotheses which circulated. And now here is the truth, duly ascertained.
Emperor Valerian has sent the Senate his rescript by which he has decided that bishops, priests and deacons shall immediately be put to death. Senators, notables and those who have the title of Roman knighthood shall be deprived of all dignities, as well as of their possessions. If they are obstinate in profess Christianity, even after the confiscation, they will be condemned to capital punishment.
Christians matrons will have all their goods confiscated and then be sent into exile. All imperial functionaries who have professed faith or should do so now, will suffer the same confiscation. They will then be arrested and registered for forced labour on the imperial estates.
Valerian also adds to the rescript a copy of a letter he has sent to the provincial governors concerning myself. I expect this letter any day and hope to receive it quickly, keeping myself firm and strong in faith. My decision in the face of martyrdom is quite clear. I am waiting for it, full of confidence that I shall receive the crown of eternal life from the goodness and generosity of God.
I have to report that Sixtus suffered martyrdon with four deacons on 6th of August, while he was in the "Cemetery" area (the catacombs of St. Callixtus).
The Roman authorities have a rule that all who are denounced as Christians must be executed and their goods forfeited to the imperial treasury.
I ask that what I have reported be made known to our colleagues in the episcopate, so that by their exhortations our communities may be encouraged and ever more prepared for the spiritual combat. This will stimulate them to consider not so much death as the blessings of immortality, and to consecrate themselves to the Lord with ardent faith and heroic fortitude, to delight and not to fear at the thought of testifying their faith. The soldiers of God and of Christ know very well that their immolation is not so much a death but a crown of glory.
To you, dear brother, my greetings in the Lord " (Letter 80).
5. The martyrdom of St. Cyprian
It would have been very useful and edifying to have the reports of the trials of the martyrs Pontianus, Fabian, Cornelius, Sixtus II, Eusebius, Cecilia... Unfortunately, during the tremendous persecution of Diocletian the archives of the Church of Rome were destroyed.
But the reports of St. Cyprian's trial have come down to us. The Acta were read in the Christian communities for the glory of the Martyr in order to strengthen others in the moment of their ordeal. We can therefore assume that the reports of the trial of the other martyrs just cited were written in much the same way.
Carthage, 14th September 258.
" On the morning of September 14 a large crowd gathered at Sesti by order of proconsul Galerius Maximus. And the same proconsul Galerius Maximus bade that Cyprian should be brought to the hearing which he conducted on that same day in the 'Sauciolus Hall'. When bishop Cyprian stood before him, the proconsul said to him:
- 'Are you Tascius Ciprianus?'
Bishop Cyprian answered:
- ' Yes, I am.
Proconsul Galerius Maximus said:
- ' Are you the one who has presented himself as the leader of a sacrilegious sect'
Bishop Cyprian answered:
- ' I am'.
Galerius Maximus said:
- ' The most holy emperors bid you to sacrifice'.
Bishop Cyprian said:
- ' I will not do it'.
Proconsul Galerius Maximus said:
- 'Think it over'.
Bishop Cyprian said:
- ' Do what you have been ordered to do. In such a just cause there is nothing to think over'.
Galerius Maximus, after conferring with the college of magistrates, with difficulty and unwillingly pronounced this sentence: ' You have long lived sacrilegiously and have gathered many in your criminal sect, and set yourself up as an enemy of the Roman gods and of their religious rites. The pious and most holy Augusti emperors Valerian and Gallienus, and Valerian most noble Caesar, failed to bring you back to the observance of their religious ceremonies.
Therefore, since you have been seen to be the instigator of the worst of crimes, we shall make an example of you before those whom you have associated with yourself in these wicked actions. The respect for the law will be sanctioned by your blood'. Having said this he read out in a loud voice from a tablet the decree: 'I order that Tascius Ciprianus be punished by being beheaded'. Bishop Cyprian said: 'Thanks be to God'.
Following the sentence, the crowd of Christian brethren said: ' We want to be beheaded with him'. At this there was great agitation among the brethren and a large crowd followed him. Thus Cyprian was led into the countryside of Sesti, and there he took off his cloak and hood, knelt on the ground and prostrated himself in prayer to the Lord. He then removed his dalmatic and gave it to the deacons, leaving himself only in his linen garment, and so waited for the executioner.
When the latter arrived, the bishop ordered his own followers to give the executioner twenty-five gold pieces. Meanwhile his brethren held out pieces of cloth and handkerchiefs ( to receive the blood as relics). Then the great Cyprian with his own hands bandaged his eyes, but since he could not tie the corners of the handkerchief, presbyter Julian and subdeacon Julian went to help him.
Thus bishop Cyprian was martyred and his body, because of the curiosity of the pagans, was placed in a place nearby where it was hidden from their indiscreet eyes. It was then carried away at night with lighted flares and torches and accompanied as far as the cemetery of procurator Macrobius Candidianus, which is in the 'Huts' Road near the Baths. A few days later, proconsul Galerius Maximus died.
The holy bishop Cyprian was martyred on September 14th under emperors Valerian and Gallienus, but in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all honour and glory be forever. Amen". (From the Acta Proconsularia,3-6).
