St. Cornelius, Pope, Martyr and St. Cyprian, Bishop, Martyr

In brief

The Church honors Saint Cornelius, a pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, a bishop and martyr, on September 16.

Pope Cornelius was elected in 251 during the persecutions of Emperor Decius. He worked to end a schism caused by Novatian, the first anti-pope, by convening a synod of bishops to confirm his leadership. Cornelius also addressed the controversy regarding whether the Church could pardon those who had abandoned the faith during the Decian persecution. He decreed that apostates could be welcomed back into the Church provided they performed adequate penance. After being exiled by Emperor Gallus in 253, Cornelius died from the hardships of his exile.

Saint Cyprian of Carthage was a close friend of Pope Cornelius and supported his stance on re-admitting apostates and opposing Novatian. Born to wealthy pagans around 190, Cyprian converted at age 56, became a priest a year later, and was appointed bishop two years after his ordination. He is recognized as a major figure and Father of the African Church, noted for his writings such as the treatise on the unity of the Catholic Church.