The Epistles of Cyprian 35
35 To the Clergy, Concerning the Care of the Poor and Strangers PL 4, 324
Argument.—He Cautions Them Against Neglecting the Widows, the Sick, or the Poor, or Strangers.
Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his beloved brethren, greeting. In safety, by God’s grace, I greet you, beloved brethren, desiring soon to come to you, and to satisfy the wish as well of myself and you, as of all the brethren. It behoves me also, however, to have regard to the common peace, and, in the meantime, although with weariness of spirit, to be absent from you, lest my presence should provoke the jealousy and violence of the heathens, and I should be the cause of breaking the peace, who ought rather to be careful for the quiet of all. When, therefore, you write that matters are arranged, and that I ought to come, or if the Lord should condescend to intimate it to me before, then I will come to you. For where could I be better or more joyful than there where the Lord willed me both to believe and to grow up? I request that you will diligently take care of the widows, and of the sick, and of all the poor. Moreover, you may supply the expenses for strangers, if any should be indigent, from my own portion, which I have left with Rogatianus, our fellow-presbyter; which portion, lest it should be all appropriated, I have supplemented by sending to the same by Naricus the acolyte another share, so that the sufferers may be more largely and promptly dealt with. I bid you, beloved brethren, ever heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance. Greet your brotherhood in my name, and tell them to be mindful of me.
ARGUMENTUM.-- Nuntiat clero et plebi Numidicum a se ordinatum presbyterum, paucis dignitatem illius commendans.
Cyprianus presbyteris et diaconibus et plebi universae, charissimis ac desiderantissimis fratribus, salutem. Nuntiandum vobis fuit, fratres charissimi, quod pertineat et ad communem laetitiam et ad ecclesiae nostrae maximam gloriam. Nam admonitos nos et instructos sciatis dignatione divina 49 ut Numidicus presbyter adscribatur presbyterorum Carthaginensium numero et nobiscum sedeat in clero, luce clarissima confessionis illustris, et virtutis ac fidei honore sublimis; qui hortatu suo copiosum martyrum numerum, lapidibus et flammis necatum, ante se misit; quique uxorem adhaerentem lateri suo concrematam simul cum caeteris, conservatam magis dixerim, laetus aspexit. Ipse semiustulatus et lapidibus obrutus et pro mortuo derelictus, dum postmodum filia sollicito pietatis obsequio cadaver patris inquirit, semianimis inventus et extractus et refocillatus, a comitibus quos ipse praemiserat remansit invictus. Sed remanendi, ut videmus, haec fuit causa ut eum clero nostro Dominus adjungeret et desolatam per lapsum quorumdam presbyterorum nostrorum copiam gloriosis sacerdotibus adornaret. Et promovebitur quidem, cum Deus permiserit, ad ampliorem locum regionis suae, quando in praesentiam protegente Domino venerimus. Interim quod ostenditur fiat, ut cum gratiarum actione suscipiamus hoc Dei munus, sperantes de misericordia Domini ejusmodi ornamenta complura, ut, redintegrato Ecclesiae suae robore, tam mites et humiles faciat in consessus nostri honore florere. Opto vos, fratres charissimi ac desiderantissimi, semper bene valere.