Catholic Saints Podcast – St. Cyprian

Host: Taylor Kemp, Augustine Institute
Guest: Dr. John Seehorn, Academic Dean at the Graduate School of Theology
Episode Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on St. Cyprian of Carthage, an influential third-century bishop and martyr. Host Taylor Kemp and guest Dr. John Seehorn discuss Cyprian’s remarkable journey from paganism to Christian leadership, his challenges amid Roman persecutions, and his lasting theological impact—especially regarding unity, forgiveness, and the nature of the Church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life and Background of St. Cyprian

• North African Origins: Born around 202 AD in Carthage, a city once Rome’s rival but by then a prominent part of the empire.
  • “He was from North Africa… the main city of North Africa, Carthage.” (01:17 – C)
• Pagan Upbringing and Conversion: Raised in a non-Christian environment, he converted in his 40s (approx. 246 AD).
  • “He was not raised in a Christian family, but eventually had a conversion, probably in his 40s.” (01:36 – C)
• Rapid Rise in the Church: Swiftly became bishop (around 248 AD), unusual but not unheard of in that era.
  • “He becomes Catholic in about 246 and very quickly is elevated to the episcopacy.” (02:12 – C)
  • The deacon-biographer Pontian (or Pontius) even apologizes for Cyprian’s rapid appointment, referencing 1 Timothy’s caution about recent converts. (02:31–03:03 – C and B)

2. The Decian Persecution and Its Aftermath

• Historical Context:
  • Decius, Roman Emperor, invoked a return to traditional Roman religion to restore unity and stability during the Crisis of the Third Century.
  • All citizens were required to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods and receive a certificate (libellus).
    • “He orders that all citizens have to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods... a libellus, like a little certificate saying that they had done [so].” (04:19 – C)
• Impact on Christians:
  • Varied responses: martyrdom, flight, apostasy, or deceit (buying fake certificates).
  • Cyprian chose to flee temporarily to support his flock later—a controversial move which he had to defend.
    • “He decided it was important for him to be available for his flock when things sort of subsided. And he was criticized for this, and so he defended that decision...” (06:59 – C)
  • Loss of property was a significant sacrifice; Cyprian’s possessions were confiscated.
  • “That meant giving up all of his possessions. They were all seized by the government.” (07:20 – C)

3. Pastoral Crisis: How to Treat Apostates and Martyrs

• Challenges upon Returning:
  • The Church was fractured: some had been steadfast, some martyred, some lapsed, some deceived authorities.
    • “You have martyrs... you have Christians who had apostatized... others who had like paid someone off to forge a libellus… How do you deal with all these?” (09:12–09:33 – C)
• Cyprian’s Leadership:
  • Navigated between rigorists (no forgiveness for apostates) and laxists (quick, easy forgiveness)—seeking a balanced, healing pastoral approach.
    • “Cyprian’s like, no, that’s not true” regarding no possibility of reconciliation, but also opposes the laxists: “You’re not taking seriously enough the fact that you betrayed the Lord who shed his blood for you.” (10:16, 10:25 – C)
  • Describes the bishop’s task as like that of a physician: applying the right (sometimes painful) medicine for the health of the soul.
    • “The job of a real pastor [is] to be like a good doctor... apply the right medicine, even when the patient doesn’t really want to take it.” (10:33 – C)

4. Later Life, Martyrdom, and Spiritual Legacy

• Final Persecution and Martyrdom:
  • Arrested and exiled under Valerian in 257, executed by sword in 258 AD.
  • Eyewitness account from Pontian (“Ponti the Deacon”) details Cyprian’s serenity and courage at his execution.
    • “He just sort of took the suffering and he’s like, look, I’m about to die, it doesn’t matter... he blindfolded himself and then had to kind of give encouragement to the executioner who was kind of feeling shaky.” (14:03 – C)
• Major North African Saint:
  • Widely venerated; later saints (including Augustine) drew inspiration from him.
    • “He’s the most famous martyr of North Africa… a huge cult of St. Cyprian into the 4th century and later.” (14:41 – C)

5. Theology and Enduring Lessons from St. Cyprian

• Commentary on the Lord’s Prayer:
  • Focuses on adoption through baptism:
    • “We call God our Father and that we can only do so because of our baptism, because of our rebirth into the sonship of Jesus.” (15:46 – C)
  • Eucharistic interpretation of “daily bread”:
    • Praying for daily Communion also calls one to purity—not being separated by serious sin. (16:01 – C)
  • Radical forgiveness and unity:
    • “Cyprian says the greatest sacrifice that we offer is our peace and harmony with one another. …We are a people who are made one in the unity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (17:54 – C)
    • Quoted by Second Vatican Council for its significance.
• The Church as Mother:
  • “You can’t have God for your father if you don’t have the Church for your mother.” (18:43 – C)
    • Dr. Seehorn reiterates how Christians need both unity with the Church and with each other.
  • Emphasis on identity rooted in the Church as a gift, not a human achievement.
    • “The church is a gift. It’s not something that we’ve accomplished.” (17:54 – C)
  • The necessity of seeking and offering forgiveness, living in real unity.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Cyprian’s Conversion & Unique Elevation:
  • “He’s the exception that proves the rule because he was pretty great.” (Pontian via C, 02:46 – C)
• Surviving the Persecution:
  • “There was a lot of heroism, but there was also a lot of mediocrity.” (08:48 – C)
• Balancing Truth and Mercy:
  • “The job of a real pastor to be like a good doctor… apply the right medicine, even when the patient doesn’t really want to take his medicine.” (10:33 – C)
• On Church Unity:
  • “As Christians, as the Church, we are a people who are made one in the unity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (17:54 – C)
• On Relationship With the Church:
  • “You can’t have God for your father if you don’t have the church for your mother.” (18:43 – C)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:13: St. Cyprian’s birth, background, and conversion (C)
• 02:28: Cyprian’s rapid rise to bishop and “Ponti the Deacon’s” account (C)
• 03:17: Political context: Emperor Decius and the empire-wide persecution (C)
• 04:28: Requirement of public sacrifice and its implications for Christians (C)
• 06:19: Personal and pastoral challenges for Cyprian during persecution (C)
• 07:35: Material loss and spiritual tests during exile (B and C)
• 09:12: Return from exile and fractured community: martyrs, apostates, and pastoral dilemmas (C)
• 10:33: Cyprian’s “physician of souls” analogy (C)
• 13:14: Martyrdom of Cyprian and veneration as North Africa’s first major bishop-martyr (C)
• 15:15: Excerpts and lessons from Cyprian’s treatise on the Lord’s Prayer (C)
• 17:54: Cyprian’s teaching on forgiveness, church unity, and receiving the Church as gift (C)
• 18:43: Famous aphorism: “You can’t have God for your father if you don’t have the church for your mother.” (C)

Concluding Reflections

Dr. Seehorn encourages listeners to:

• Appreciate Cyprian’s balanced, courageous, pastorally sensitive approach during times of crisis.
• Reflect on the nature of genuine Christian unity and the necessity of forgiveness.
• Value the Church as a Divine gift, not a human construct.
• Pray for St. Cyprian’s intercession for faithfulness to the Church.

“Ask Cyprian’s prayers and pray for faithfulness to the Church that he gave his life for and to his Lord.” (19:10 – C)

This episode offers both vivid historical retelling and deep spiritual lessons, making St. Cyprian’s trials and legacy powerfully relevant to Catholics today.