18 April 246 A.D. CARTHAGE, NORTH AFRICA Cyprian of Carthage baptized—later a Bishop of and Martyr of Emperor Decian’s Persecution Carthage
18 April 246 A.D. CARTHAGE, NORTH AFRICA Cyprian of Carthage baptized—later a Bishop of and Martyr of Emperor Decian’s Persecution Carthage A version is told at: http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/cyprian-baptized-in-carthage-11629618.html “I am a Christian and cannot sacrifice to the gods. I heartily thank Almighty God who is pleased to set me free from the chains of this body." With these bold words, spoken in front of hundreds of onlookers, Bishop Cyprian of Carthage faced death under Emperor Valerian. Many of the pagans standing by were deeply moved. Cyprian was well-known to them. As Bishop of Carthage, he was an eminent figure in North Africa. But even before becoming a church leader he had been a notable man. Born into wealth around 200, Cyprian inherited a large estate. He trained in rhetoric. Curiously it was this training which brought him to Christ. Genuinely gifted as a speaker, he opened his own school. As par...