St. Cyprian, the third-century bishop of Carthage, developed a theory of church unity almost universally accepted until the European Reformation: In order to be a member of the Body of Christ you needed to be in communion with a priest who was in communion with a bishop who in turn was in communion with all the other bishops of the world. But, how would one discern who was a legitimate bishop, and on what kind of issue would it be right to break off communion? Additionally, could self-authenticating ministries, like those of the martyrs and confessors who suffered for the faith, supersede this order? Finally, did the Church need a universal bishop who could guarantee the integrity of the network of bishops? St Cyprian wrestled with these questions in his letters and treatises, and these are the questions that continue to arise today in various forms of the contemporary Church. Thus, this work and it's companion volume, St. Cyprian's Select Letters (CBD# 413137) are of ultimate value to the current state of Christendom.

About the Popular Patristics Series
The Popular Patristics series published by St. Vladimir's Seminary Press provides readable and accurate translations of a broad range of early Christian literature to a wide audience--from students of Christian history to lay Christians reading for spiritu7al benefit.

Recognized Patristic scholars provide short but comprehensive and clear introductory essays according to their specializations for each volume.

Texts include classics of Christian literature, thematic volumes, homily collections, letters, spiritual guidance, and poetical works from a wide variety geographical contexts and historical backgrounds. The purpose of the series is to mine the riches of the early church and to make these invaluable writings available to all.

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