Deepertruth Stand in the Gap with us and Saint Cyprian

Stand in the Gap with us and Saint Cyprian 9/11/2023

Cyprian of Antioch was a pagan sorcerer who converted toJesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church.  In 620 A.D Cyprien settled in a cave that overlooked the Dordogne valley. Others gathered around him and a monastic community grew up. Barbarian invasions in the mid-9th century forced the monks to build defensive ramparts, one of which is the belltower-keep that survives today.

Latin in full Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, (born 200 ce, Carthage—died September 14, 258, Carthage; Western and Eastern feast day September 16; Anglican feast day September 26), early Christian theologian and bishop of Carthage who led the Christians of North Africa during a period of persecution from Rome.

Highly educated and a famous orator, he became a Christian as an adult. He distributed his goods to the poor, and amazed his fellow citizens by making a vow of chastity before his baptism. Within two years he had been ordained a priest and was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage.

He converted to Christianity c. 246 and within two years was elected bishop of Carthage. In 250 he went into hiding to escape the Decian persecution, when many Christians apostatized.

Cyprian is important in the development of Christian thought and practice in the third century, especially in northern Africa.

Cyprian teaches how God is able to free us from even the powerful of sinful habits. He can give us freedom over addiction, strength over weakness, and the joy of the saints in place of the sorrow of sinners.