Do Not Go in Crowds

Cyprian to the elders and deacons, his dear brothers: greetings. By God’s grace I am safe, dearest brothers, and I send you my greetings, glad to have word that all is well with you and that you too are safe. Since the state of the place does not allow me to be with you at present, I ask you, by your faith and your reverence for God, to carry out there both your own duties and mine, so that nothing is left undone, in discipline or in diligence. [a]

As for the funds to cover expenses — whether for those who confessed their Lord with a glorious voice and have been put in prison, or for those who are struggling in poverty and want and are still standing firm in the Lord — I beg you, let nothing be lacking, since the whole of the modest sum that was collected there was handed out among the clergy for cases exactly like these, so that many would have something in hand to relieve the needs and burdens of individual people.

I ask, too, that on your side there be no shortage of good sense and care in keeping the peace. For although out of sheer affection the brothers are eager to go and visit those fine confessors, on whom God’s own regard has already shed a brightness by the glorious way they began, I still think that eagerness has to be indulged cautiously — not in crowds, not in large numbers gathered all at once. Otherwise this very thing stirs up hostility, the right of access is taken away, and while we insatiably want everyone in, we lose it for everyone. So talk it over, and see that this can be managed more safely, with restraint: let the elders who make the offering there with the confessors take their turns one at a time, each with a single deacon — because by changing the individuals in this way and varying who comes together, suspicion is kept down. For in everything we ought to be gentle and humble, as servants of God should be, fitting ourselves to the times, working for quiet, and keeping the people in mind.

I wish you well always, brothers, dearly loved and greatly missed; and remember me. Greet the whole brotherhood. Victor the deacon and those who are with me send their greetings. Farewell.