Cyprian - On the Dress of Virgins De habitu virginum
Prob. 249 A.D. The brides of Christ must dress plainly and avoid jewelry and cosmetics, use their money for good purposes, and avoid unwholesome places. Main source Tertullian's De cultu feminarum (ANF4-2.TXT), but Cyprian is more balanced.

Cyprian - An Address to Demtrianus Ad Demetrianum
prob 252 A.D. Refutes Demetrianus, who accused the Christians of being responsible for the recent calamities of war, pestilence, famine and drought. C. turns the charge back against the sins of the pagans. Christians are willing to show their enemies the way to eternal safety. Written also to strengthen Christians whose faith was shaken by the accusations. Quasten, II, 356: "one of the most powerful and original of Cyprian's writings."

Cyprian - On the Mortality (or Plague) De mortalitate
252 A.D. A plague has just followed the Decian persecution. Cyprian shows that in nothing do the faithful differ more from pagans than in the spirit with which they face death. For the Christian death is a release from conflict, a summons of Christ, leading to immortality. The faithful departed "should not be mourned, since we know that they are not lost, but sent before". Many conscious or unconscious borrowing from Stoics, esp. Cicero and Seneca.

Cyprian - On Works and Alms Concerning Works and Almsgiving. De opere et eleemosynis
252 A.D. The recent plague has left many destitute. Cyprian reminds his "beloved brethren" of the gifts they have received, and teaches the efficacy of good works for forgiveness and salvation. God takes care of those who support others. Popular in antiquity; the Council of Ephesus (EPHESUS.TXT) quotes several passages.

Cyprian - Three Books of Testimonies Addressed to the Jews Ad Quirinum (Testimonium libri III).
Before 249 A.D. Scriptural passages grouped under a number of headings. Book I: Jews have departed from God's favor, succeeded by Christians coming out of all nations. Book II: mystery of Christ, who was announced by the Scriptures: compendium of christology. Book III: Summary of moral and disciplinary duties and a guide to the Christian virtues: 120 theses with proofs from Scripture. Prob. combined w/ Books I-II after Cyprian's time. Great influence.

Cyprian - The Seventh Council of Carthage under Cyprian
In Carthage, the absolute repudiation of baptisms performed by heretics seems to have been traditional. The view that they are invalid was reaffirmed by the Seventh Council of Carthage, held under St. Cyprian in 256.

Novatian (formerly attributed to Cyprian) - On the Public Shows On Shows. De spectaculis
Condemns attendance at public shows, which are offspring of idolatry. Rather, Christians should enjoy the beauty of the world and of Sacred Scripture. Borrows from Tertullian's De spectaculis (ANF3-3.TXT) and Cyprian's Ad Donatum (not printed in ANF).

Cyprian, spur. - On the Glory of Martyrdom De laude martyrii
In the form of a sermon, explains in three parts the meaning (4-12), the greatness (13-18), the advantages of martyrdom (19-24). Gives a description of the tortures of hell embodying ancient elements. Of the third century, but not by Cyprian or Novation, perhaps by a layman.

Novation (formerly attributed to Cyprian) - On the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity On the Advantage of Modesty. De bono pudicitiae
Excellent treatise contrasts chastity (rel. to bodily dignity, morality, modesty, purity, peacefulness of home, concord, innocence) with immodesty (rel. to incontinence, lust, destruction of good conscience, impenitence, disgrace). Three degrees of chastity: virginity, continence. faithfulness to marriage bond. Praises of virginity; examples of chastity from Old Testament. Dangers to the virtue and means of protecting it. Sources: Tertullian's De virginibus velandis (ANF4-3.TXT), De cultu feminarum (ANF4-2.TXT), De pudicitia (ANF4-7.TXT); Cyprian's De habitu virginum (ANF5-10.TXT).

Cyprian, spur. - Exhortation to Repentance Exhortatio de paenitentia
A collection of biblical quotations similiar to Cyprian's Ad Fortunatum (ANF5-19.TXT) and Ad Quirinum (ANF5-20.TXT). Arranged under the heading: "That all sins can be forgiven him who has turned to God with his whole heart." Opposes the Novatians. Later than Cyprian; attributed to fourth or fifth century without convincing reasons.

Cyprian, spur. - A Treatise Against Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop Ad Novatianum
Prob. 253-257 A.D. Polemic against No
vatian, attributed to Pope Sixtus II by A. Harnack, but actually by some African bishop who shares Cyprian's view on baptism conferred by heretics.

Cyprian, spur. - A Treatise on Re-Baptism De rebaptismate
After A.D. 256, prob. before Sept. 258. Opposes Cyprian on the issue of rebaptism, defending its validity by a very peculiar and unfortunate distinction between baptism of water and baptism of the spirit to be conferred by the bishop's imposition of hands. Prob. by an African prelate.

Pontius - The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
The Proconsular Acts of St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage executed September 14, 258 (during the reign of emperors Valerian and Gallienus), are founded on official reports connected by a few phrases of the editor. They consist of three separate documents containing: (1) The first trial and exile to Curubis, (2) the arrest and second trial, and (3) the execution. CYPRIAN: Caecilius Cyprianus, b. 200-210 Africa, prob. Carthage, rich pagan family. Famous rhetorician, disgusted by corruption of public life, converted, gave fortune to poor. Soon after, 248-9, elected bishop of Carthage. During Decian persecution went into hiding, encouraged flock by letters. Afterwards fought schism in Carthage and wrote against anti-pope Novatian. Controversy with Pope Stephen over re-baptism; died still in communion.

St. Cyprian - To Donatus
Written very soon after his conversion to Christianity. Cyprian enjoying the effect of grace writes to his friend to share the great spiritual blessings which are now his.

St. Cyprian - The Good of Patience
In this treatise, Cyprian urges his people to practice patience with a sweetness, gentleness, strength, and persuasiveness that mark his own possession of it. It is the 'pith and marrow' of his concept of Christianity.

St. Cyprian - That Idols Are Not Gods
Cyprian sketches the history of Judaism, sets forth the inadequacy of the Roman gods and the continuous sufferings of believers in attestation of the credibility of Christian truth.

St. Cyprian - Jealousy and Envy
Cyprian exhorts all to love of enemies, setting forth God as an example. He dissuades from the sin of envy by urging the rewards of a united love and a bond of brotherhood.

St. Cyprian - The Lapsed
After the persecution of Decius, when the problem of the reconciliation of the many who had apostasized became acute, Cyprian had promised to treat the subject in writing as soon as a cessation of hostilities permitted. This promise he fulfills in this work.

St. Cyprian - Mortality
Throughout this work Cyprian gives evidence of the warm sympathy and charity which aroused the admiration of St. Augustine. Vigorous and direct in his approach to practical problems he encouraged and strengthened his flock by his philosophy.

St. Cyprian - The Unity of the Church
This treatise was read by Cyprian to the council which met with a view to obtaining the support of the bishops against the schism which was started by Felicissimus and Novatus.

Pope Benedict XVI - St. Cyprian
On 6 June 2007, at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father commented on St. Cyprian, the third-century Bishop of Carthage, focusing on his teachings of unity and prayer. On Church unity, Cyprian especially emphasized the Chair of Peter.

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