Today we commemorate Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr. Living in the third century AD, Cyprian served as bishop of Carthage. Originally fleeing Carthage under the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian returned and set rules for those who had fallen away from the faith under persecution to return to the Church. Under later persecution by Roman Emperor Valerian, Cyprian initially hid himself, but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded in AD 258.