Today, September 16, is the memorial of Pope Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian.
The Roman Pope Saint Cornelius was the 21st successor of Saint Peter. His reign happened during the times of emperors Gallus and Volusian. Pope Cornelius bravely went against, and after, the first anti-pope Novatian, who believed that apostates who repented could not be forgiven. With the able assistance of the bishop St. Cyprian, Cornelius confirmed his papal authority. Pope Saint Cornelius was decapitated in exile at Civitavecchia, Italy in 253. Cyprian suffered the same fate five years later in Carthage, North Africa.