The attitude of Christians towards the ‘Plague of Cyprian’ in light of sources of the era

Tomasz Skibiński

Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5509-0865

Maciej Piotr Książyk

Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Ołtarzewie - Wydział Teologiczny - Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2578-1427


Abstract

In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire was undergoing major transformations. The most recent research shows that one of the challenges it was to face during this period was the so-called ‘Plague of Cyprian’. It began in 249 in Egypt and lasted intermittently until 262, recurring presumably again in 270. During this period, virtually all of the regions of the Roman state were struck by the plague. Its impact on the Empire’s position was very big and it is believed to be an important element in the Empire’s crisis and a transformation motivator. The Plague of Cyprian was not less of a challenge for the Church too, which also had to endure the Decian persecution at that time. The article analyses the attitude and acts of Christians in the face of this pandemic in light of the preserved sources contemporary with the events. The paper discusses sources concerning the subject, and the state of knowledge of the identification of the pathogen. The following are identified as essential elements of the Christian attitude: attempting to understand and reveal the meaning of present experiences, actively helping the sick and caring for a proper burial of the dead, defending against accusations on the part of pagans, for whom Christians were to blame for the cessation of pax deorum and infliction of disasters.

Keywords:

Cyprian of Carthage, Plague of Cyprian, Christianity, ancient Church, crisis of the 3rd century

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Published
2021-06-15


Skibiński, T., & Książyk, M. P. (2021). Postawa chrześcijan wobec „Zarazy Cypriana” w świetle źródeł epoki. Vox Patrum, 78, 121–140. https://doi.org/10.31743/vp.12239

Tomasz Skibiński  tskibinski@sac.org.pl
Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5509-0865
Maciej Piotr Książyk 
Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Ołtarzewie - Wydział Teologiczny - Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2578-1427



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