By St. Dionysius of Alexandria
From the letter of St. Dionysius († 264), Bishop of Alexandria, in regards to the instances of persecution and the epidemic of the so-called Cyprian plague. The illness that struck the Roman Empire within the third century, went down in historical past with the identify of St. Cyprian of Carthage, who described its signs. About 5 thousand individuals died from this contagious illness in Rome on daily basis. St. Dionysius writes that there have been no residents left in Alexandria older than forty years. On this harsh time, the Bishop of Alexandria describes the habits of Christians and their perspective in direction of demise: not frivolously and self-confidently, however imitating Christ – because the bitter cup that they drink out of affection for his or her struggling neighbors.
“… After a brief interval this illness fell upon us; for them (the pagans) it was probably the most horrible of all horrible issues, probably the most merciless of all calamities, and, as their very own author says, a unprecedented occasion that nobody might have anticipated. For us it was not so; as in different instances the Lord examined and tempered us. The illness didn’t bypass us, nevertheless it struck the pagans extra.
Lots of our brothers, out of considerable charity and moved by cohesion, with out pitying themselves, supported one another, with out concern visited the sick, served them with out fail, cared for them for Christ’s sake, died joyfully with them; they have been stuffed with the struggling of others, contaminated themselves with their neighbors and willingly took upon themselves their sufferings. Many, caring for the sick and supporting others, died themselves, accepting demise of their place…
Thus handed away one of the best of our brothers: clergymen, deacons, laymen. They showered them with reward, as a result of such a demise, doable solely due to nice piety and robust religion, was thought-about equal to martyrdom.”
Supply: Eusebius of Caesarea, “Church Historical past”, guide 7