Money Left with Rogatianus

Cyprian to the elders and deacons, my dearly loved brothers: greetings. [a]

By God’s grace I am safe, and I send you my greetings, dearly loved brothers. I want to come to you soon, and to give myself and you — and all the brothers — what we all want. But I have to think of the peace we share, and for the present, wearying as it is, to stay away from you. If I were there I might stir up the ill will and the violence of the pagans, and I would be the one who broke the peace, when my business is rather to look out for everybody’s quiet.

So when you write that matters have been settled and that I ought to come, or if the Lord sees fit to let me know before that, then I will come to you. For where could I be better off, or happier, than in the place where the Lord willed me both to believe and to grow up?

I ask you to take careful charge of the widows, the sick, and all the poor. And if any strangers are in need, you may cover their expenses out of my own funds, which I left with Rogatianus, our fellow-elder. In case that money should be used up entirely, I have sent him a further share by Naricus the acolyte, so that those who are suffering may be dealt with more generously and more quickly.

I hope with all my heart that you are always well, dearly loved brothers; and remember me. Greet your brotherhood in my name, and tell them to keep me in mind.