CRISPO. - Archisynagogue (v.) of Corinth, converted by St. Paul (Latin names were not infrequently borne by Jews). C. was head of the synagogue or of one of the synagogues of Corinth, or else one of the most eminent figures of the synagogue. He is mentioned twice in the New Testament. C. believed, “with all his household,” in Paul’s preaching (Act. 18, 8). It is not excluded that, while the great majority of his coreligionists remained obstinate, others followed the example of C. and his household: St. Luke would merely name the most conspicuous personage. C. was baptized by Paul himself, although baptizing did not form part of the Apostle’s ordinary activity (I Cor. 1, 14). Without foundation is the conjecture of R. Perdelwitz (cf. E. B. Allo, p. 82), who would substitute C. for Cristo in I Cor. 1, 12, in order to eliminate the inconvenient and disputed party “of Christ.” The Constit. apost. (VII, 46: PG 1, 1056) make C. the first bishop of Aegina. The Greeks and the Latins commemorate him on 4 Oct.
CRISPO (Flavius Iulius Crispus). - Son of Constantine the Great and Minervina. The date of his birth varies among authors between 300 and 307, but it is more likely to be placed around 303 (cf. I. Maurice, Numismatique Constantinienne, I, Paris 1908, pp. 120-121); he died in 326. Appointed Caesar on 1 March 317, he was entrusted with Gaul, where, despite his youth, he succeeded in subduing the Franks who had rebelled. During his stay in Gaul, he was tutored by 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. However, four years later, by order of Constantine himself, under circumstances that remain unknown, he was poisoned at Pola.