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Saint Cornelius - died 253
Bishop. Twenty-first pope, elected after a year-and-a-half period during
which the persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was a quick death
sentence.
Worked to maintain unity in a time of schism and apostasy. Fought
Novatianism. Exiled by Roman authorities to punish Christians in general,
who were said to have provoked the gods to send plague against Rome.
Martyr.
A document from Cornelius shows the size of the Church of Rome in his
papacy: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons, approximately 50,000
Christians.
Saint Cyprian of Carthage
c. 200 - 258
Born to wealthy pagan parents. Taught rhetoric and literature. Adult
convert in 246. Priest. Bishop of Carthage in 249. Writer. Latin Father of
the Church. Exiled during the persecutions of Valerian. Friend of Saint
Pontius. Involved in the great argument over whether apostates should be
readmitted to the Church; Cyprian believed they should, but under
stringent conditions. Martyr.
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