During the third century, Emperor Decius issued a decree that called for the execution of those who refused to renounce their Christian beliefs. This led to the martyrdom of Pope Fabian and numerous other Christians. But there were many Christians who did give up their faith. Emperor Decius believed that the Church would falter without a pope and took steps to obstruct the selection of a new Bishop of Rome. Nonetheless, a council of priests continued the Church's mission in secret. When the emperor was away at war for a year, Cornelius was elected pope. Cornelius faced significant challenges during his papacy. A priest named Novatian—who became an antipope—and his followers believed that apostates could not be accepted back into the Church even if they had repented. To address the dispute, Cornelius convened a council of bishops. During this council, his position as pope was reaffirmed, and Novatian's stance was condemned. After serving as pope for two years, Cornelius was arrested under the emperor's authority and subsequently sentenced to banishment. He died in exile in 253. Cyprian, who served as the bishop of Carthage in North Africa, was a close friend and staunch supporter of Cornelius. Born in Carthage around 210 to pagan parents, Cyprian underwent a profound conversion to Christianity in adulthood, leading a life marked by virtue. He was made a priest and then a bishop. During his nearly decade-long tenure as the Bishop of Carthage, Cyprian experienced only one year of relative tranquility. After that, the persecutions under Decius and disagreements over what to do with apostates began. Like Cornelius, Cyprian had to deal with Novatian. New persecutions broke out under Emperor Valerian. Cyprian was arrested and tried for being a Christian. When he was read his death sentence, he exclaimed, "Blessed be God!" He was martyred in 258.
O God, who gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian to your people as diligent shepherds and valiant Martyrs, grant that through their intercession, we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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