A portrait of St. Cyprian of Carthage
St. Cyprian of Carthage
c. 200 – 258
Feast
September 16 · III c.
Patron of
North Africa · Bishops · Theologians · Plague victims, traditional
Order
Bishop / Martyr / Father
North African bishop of Carthage (c. 200-258), Latin-language theologian whose treatises De Unitate Ecclesiae and De Lapsis shaped Western ecclesiology; martyred under Valerian, the first bishop-martyr of Africa. Feast (with Cornelius) September 16.
Life & Times
Born: c. 200 · Died: 258 · From: Tunisia / North Africa.
Patronage
St. Cyprian of Carthage is invoked as the patron of north africa, bishops, theologians, plague victims, traditional. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“He cannot have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother.”— On the Unity of the Catholic Church (De Ecclesiae Catholicae Unitate), Chapter 6 (251 AD)
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Cyprian of Carthage, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.