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Saint Cyprian of Toulon (c. 476–546), bishop of Toulon and favorite disciple of Saint Caesarius of Arles, defended Catholic teaching on grace against Semipelagianism in the councils of sixth-century Gaul. He wrote the precious Vita Caesarii, converted Visigoth chiefs by tradition, and became a medieval patron of Toulon. His feast is kept on 3 October.
Saint Cyprian of Toulon was born about 476 at Marseille, of the family of Montolieu. In youth he became a monk of the Abbey of Saint-Victor and the favorite pupil of Saint Caesarius of Arles, who formed him in the monastic and pastoral life. Caesarius ordained him deacon in 506 and priest soon after; before 517 he consecrated him bishop of Toulon.
As bishop, Cyprian took part in the great Frankish councils that safeguarded the faith: Arles (524), Carpentras (527), Orange and Vaison (529), Valence (529), Marseilles (533), and Orléans (541). At Valence, in Caesarius's absence, he presided and persuaded the assembled bishops to accept the Catholic doctrine of grace already defined at Orange—that no one can make the least progress in divine things without the prevenient grace of God. He thus stood as a vigorous opponent of Semipelagianism, which minimized original sin and exalted unaided human will.
Tradition relates that he converted two Visigoth chiefs, Mandrier and Flavian, who afterward lived as anchorites and died as martyrs on the peninsula that still bears Mandrier's name. After Caesarius's death in 543, at the request of Abbess Caesaria the Younger, Cyprian composed the two-book Life of his master, aided by Bishops Firminus and Viventius, the priest Messianus, and the deacon Stephen. The work remains one of the most valuable biographical monuments of the sixth century. A letter of his to Bishop Maximus of Geneva on disputed questions of the Incarnation also survives.
Cyprian died about 546; his successor Palladius is first attested in 549. His feast is celebrated on 3 October, the traditional date of the translation of his body, and in the Middle Ages he was honored as patron of Toulon. He is inscribed in the present Roman Martyrology on that day.
May Saint Cyprian obtain for us a humble trust in prevenient grace and the courage to defend the faith with charity.
Sources: Wikidata Wikipedia Causes of Saints Also listed Wikidata
General Roman Calendar · Liturgical Calendar API
