<p>When Cornelius was elected pope during the Decian persecution (250-51), the Roman See had been vacant for many months following the martyrdom of the previous pope, Fabian, and dissension was rampant in the church. A priest named Novatian tried to usurp Cornelius' place as Bishop of Rome. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, supported Cornelius, his friend and ally, and the teaching of Novatian was condemned in a synod. In 253, under renewed persecution, Cornelius was arrested and banished. He died in exile the same year.</p>
<p>Cyprian of Carthage is an important figure of the early Church. Brilliant and learned, he became a priest soon after his conversion to Christianity and in 249 was elected bishop by the clergy and laity despite his protests. When the Decian persecution began, he went into hiding and supported his flock by letter. In 257 persecution was renewed under Valerian. Cyprian, one of the first arrested, was banished and in a retrial a year later was condemned to death. The account of his trial in official court records attests to his faith and courage in the face of martyrdom.<br /></p>
<p>©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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