CRISPUS. - Ruler of the synagogue (v.) at Corinth, converted by St. Paul (Latin names were not infrequently borne by Jews). C. was the head of the synagogue or of one of the synagogues of Corinth, or one of the most eminent personages of the synagogue. He is mentioned twice in the New Testament. C. believed, "with all his household," in Paul's preaching (Acts 18:8). It is not excluded that, while the great majority of his fellow Jews remained obstinate, others followed the example of C. and his household: St. Luke would merely be naming the most prominent personage. C. was baptized by Paul himself, although baptizing was not part of the Apostle's ordinary activity (1 Cor. 1:14). The conjecture of R. Perdelwitz (cf. E. B. Allo, p. 82), which would substitute C. for Christ in 1 Cor. 1:12, in order to do away with the inconvenient and much-discussed party "of Christ," is without foundation. The Apostolic Constitutions (VII, 46: PG 1, 1056) make C. the first bishop of Aegina. The Greeks and Latins commemorate him on October 4.
Bibliography3 works
Teodorico da Castel San Pietro
CRISPUS (Flavius Iulius Crispus). - Son of Constantine the Great and Minervina. The date of his birth varies, among authors, between 300 and 307, but more probably it should be placed around 303 (cf. I. Maurice, Numismatique Constantinienne, I, Paris 1908, pp. 120-121); d. 326. Appointed Caesar on March 1, 317, he was entrusted with Gaul, where, though so young, he was able to subdue the Franks who had risen in revolt. During his stay in Gaul, he had as his teacher the Christian rhetorician Lactantius. After celebrating the fifth anniversary of his appointment as Caesar, he married a certain Helena, by whom he had a son. He distinguished himself as commander of the fleet in the war between his father and Licinius in 322. But 4 years later, by order of the same Constantine, in circumstances that remain unknown, he was poisoned at Pola.
Bibliography4 works
Agostino Amore