Postawa chrześcijan wobec „Zarazy Cypriana” w świetle źródeł epoki
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Date
2021
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Wydawnictwo KUL
Abstract
W III wieku po Chr. Cesarstwo rzymskie przechodziło poważne przeobrażenia. Najnowsze badania wskazują, że jednym z wyzwań, jakie przed nim stanęły w tym okresie była tzw. „Zaraza Cypriana”. Rozpoczęła się ona w 249 r. w Egipcie i trwała z przerwami do 262 r., wracając prawdopodobnie jeszcze w 270 r. W tym okresie nawiedziła praktycznie wszystkie regiony państwa rzymskiego. Jej wpływ na sytuację Cesarstwa był bardzo duży i jest wskazywana jako istotny element jego kryzysu i czynnik motywujący przemiany. Zaraza Cypriana stanowiła nie mniejsze wyzwanie także dla Kościoła, który musiał zmierzyć się w tym okresie także z prześladowaniem Decjusza. Artykuł analizuje postawę i działania chrześcijan w obliczu tej pandemii w świetle zachowanych źródeł współczesnych wydarzeniom. W tekście są omówione źródła dotyczące tematu, oraz stan wiedzy dotyczącej identyfikacji patogenu. Jako zasadnicze elementy postawy chrześcijańskiej są wskazane: próba zrozumienia i ukazania sensu bieżących doświadczeń, czynna pomoc chorym i troska o godny pochówek zmarłych, obrona przed oskarżeniami ze strony pogan, którzy w chrześcijanach wskazywali winnych ustania pax deorum i sprowadzenia klęsk.
In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire was undergoing major transformations. The most recent research shows that one of the challenges it was to face during this period was the so-called ‘Plague of Cyprian’. It began in 249 in Egypt and lasted intermittently until 262, recurring presumably again in 270. During this period, virtually all the regions of the Roman state were struck by the plague. Its impact on the Empire’s position was very big, and it is believed to be an important element in the Empire’s crisis and a transformation motivator. The Plague of Cyprian was not less of a challenge for the Church too, which also had to endure the Decian persecution at that time. The article analyses the attitude and acts of Christians in the face of this pandemic in light of the preserved sources contemporary with the events. The paper discusses sources concerning the subject, and the state of knowledge of the identification of the pathogen. The following are identified as essential elements of the Christian attitude: attempting to understand and reveal the meaning of present experiences, actively helping the sick and caring for a proper burial of the dead, defending against accusations on the part of pagans, for whom Christians were to blame for the cessation of pax deorum and infliction of disasters.
In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire was undergoing major transformations. The most recent research shows that one of the challenges it was to face during this period was the so-called ‘Plague of Cyprian’. It began in 249 in Egypt and lasted intermittently until 262, recurring presumably again in 270. During this period, virtually all the regions of the Roman state were struck by the plague. Its impact on the Empire’s position was very big, and it is believed to be an important element in the Empire’s crisis and a transformation motivator. The Plague of Cyprian was not less of a challenge for the Church too, which also had to endure the Decian persecution at that time. The article analyses the attitude and acts of Christians in the face of this pandemic in light of the preserved sources contemporary with the events. The paper discusses sources concerning the subject, and the state of knowledge of the identification of the pathogen. The following are identified as essential elements of the Christian attitude: attempting to understand and reveal the meaning of present experiences, actively helping the sick and caring for a proper burial of the dead, defending against accusations on the part of pagans, for whom Christians were to blame for the cessation of pax deorum and infliction of disasters.
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Keywords
Cyprian z Kartaginy, Zaraza Cypriana, Chrześcijaństwo, Kościół starożytny, kryzys III wieku, Cyprian of Carthage, Plague of Cyprian, Christianity, ancient Church, crisis of the 3rd century
Citation
"Vox Patrum", 2021, T. 78, s. 121-140