---
title: Cyprian was beheaded because he refused to give up his Christian faith
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/cyprian-was-beheaded-because-he-refused-to-give-up-his-christian-faith
published: 2026-09-19T13:48:35+00:00
language: en
section: Persecution
source: https://www.kn.nl/inspiratie/cyprianus-werd-onthoofd-omdat-hij-weigerde-zijn-christelijk-geloof-op-te-geven/
organizations: Cyprianus
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Cyprian was beheaded because he refused to give up his Christian faith

Cyprian was beheaded because he refused to give up his Christian faith. "Cyprian to the lions!" chanted entire crowds at the forum of Carthage, present-day Tunis.

Cyprian was the bishop, the leader of the Christians. They had to have him. In the year 258, Emperor Valerian declared that everyone would be forced to offer sacrifices to the ancient Roman gods.

Those who refused risked the death penalty. Cyprian was among the first to be arrested and sentenced to death. To the lions with him! The news spread like wildfire through the city. Christians came from everywhere to not let their bishop die alone. Cyprian was led to the place of execution, the Sixtus Field.

There, he took off his cloak and knelt down for a long prayer. He then stood up, took off his upper garment, and gave it to a few deacons who were nearby. He stood there only in his shirt. Now the Christians spread white linen cloths around him on the ground. They would use them to catch his blood. Nothing could be lost from him.

He blindfolded himself and instructed a priest and a deacon to bind his hands. Thus, the final blow was administered to him, and he died a martyr's death.

This section keeps the work of Jesuit Dries van den Akker (1945-2022) alive.

## This story in other languages

- [Español](https://www.faithfulnews.com/es/cyprianus-fue-decapitado-por-negarse-a-renunciar-a-su-fe-cristiana)
- [Português (Brasil)](https://www.faithfulnews.com/pt-br/cyprianus-foi-decapitado-por-recusar-abandonar-sua-fe-crista)
- [Italiano](https://www.faithfulnews.com/it/cyprianus-fu-decapitato-perche-rifiuto-di-rinunciare-alla-sua-fede-cristiana)
- [Norsk](https://www.faithfulnews.com/no/cyprianus-ble-henrettet-fordi-han-nektet-a-gi-opp-sin-kristne-tro)
- [Polski](https://www.faithfulnews.com/pl/cyprianus-zostal-ongis-sciety-poniewaz-odmowil-porzucenia-swojej-wiary-chrzescijanskiej)
- [Türkçe](https://www.faithfulnews.com/tr/cyprianus-hristiyan-inancini-reddettigi-icin-idam-edildi)
- [Русский](https://www.faithfulnews.com/ru/kiprian-byl-obezglavlen-potomu-cto-on-otkazalsia-otkazatsia-ot-svoei-xristianskoi-very)