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| To the Presbyters and Deacons.
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Epistle
IV.2140
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 place2141
| 2141
Scil. Carthage, where the populace had already demanded
Cyprian’s blood. |
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 offer2142
| 2142
“Qui illic apud confessores
offerunt,” scil. “the oblation”
(προσφορὰ,
Rom. xv. 16), i.e., “who celebrate the
Eucharist.” | 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!E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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