(c. 200 - 258) The son of a wealthy Roman officer in North Africa, Cyprian converted to Christianity later in life. He was made a presbyter at Carthage only a year after his conversion and then bishop a year later. He witnessed severe persecution and was faced with the question of readmitting Christians to fellowship after denying the faith while facing execution. He ruled that lapsed Christians may be accepted back into communion after evidence of penitence. Cyprian was martyred for refusing to deny the faith.