Thascius Caecilius Cyprian (c. 200-258) was the son of a wealthy Roman officer. He led a privileged life as a young man and received an excellent education. As an adult, he became a Christian and turned his back on his family’s affluence to embrace the study of the Scriptures and asceticism. In about 250 he was named bishop of North Africa, after serving for a year as presbyter in Carthage. This was a difficult time in the church as severe persecutions raged and various cults and heresies arose. He went into hiding to escape capture but maintained contact with his churches through regular correspondence. In 251 he returned to Carthage to preside over the affairs of the church. In 257, during a persecution by Valerian, he was tried and executed. His writings set Peter as the Apostle whom all bishops succeed, establishing a church government and order of unity that continues to this day.
