African hagiography in the mid-3d century as pedagogical text

• Published in: Hypothekai no. 3; pp. 161 - 172
• Main Author: Alexey V. Kargaltsev
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hypothekai 17-06-2019
• Subjects: African hagiography; Decius; Roman North Africa; Valerian
• ISSN: 2587-7127; 2587-7127
• DOI: 10.32880/2587-7127-2018-3-3-161-172

Scholars absolutely agree that special veneration of martyrs in Roman North Africa, in the area of the former possessions of the Carthaginian Empire, was caused by a relatively different — regarding Hellenistic — cultural influence, centered on literal adherence to religious practice. This led to appearance in Africa of a large number of hagiographic monuments, especially during the period of major persecutions of Decius and Valerian. A distinctive feature of Valerian persecution is the restriction of persecution to Christian clergy, which prevented many believers from realizing the desire to become a martyr. In addition, the authority of confessors came into conflict with the authority of the bishops. In the hagiographic texts of this time one can observe limitations regarding the possibility of suffering for Christ and clear instructions about it. These texts could be called pedagogical. In particular, the future martyr was to see a prophetic dream which was a divine sanction. The absence of such a dream made martyrdom essentially unlawful. In addition, Bishop Cyprian of Carthage, who became the first bishop martyrs in Africa, became the ideal martyr for fellow believ-ers. During the period of the episcopacy, he was forced to leave the department during the period of the persecution of Decius, and this laid a heavy stain on his biography. The deacon Pontius, author of “The Life of Cyprian”, especially emphasizes that Cyprian's martyrdom happened precisely at that day and hour that God had set for him. The author of the article believes that this example has become a role model for other hagiographic monuments created during this period and has become a pedagogical instruction for future martyrs. Moreover, the image of God manifested to Cyprian is also traced in martyrs of the near time.