Paul of Cirta

fl. 19 May 303; d. before AD 305 · Bishop of Cirta · Cirta (Constantina), Numidia

The Ante-Nicene Church

Who Paul of Cirta was

Bishop of Cirta when Munatius Felix came for the books on 19 May 303. He stayed seated through the search and surrendered the plate, the lamps and the eighty-two women’s garments that the church held for its poor — then stopped. The Scriptures, he said, were with the lectors, and he would not name them: pressed twice, he answered only “You all know them,” and turned the magistrate towards the public notaries instead. He was gone by 305, when the disputed election of his successor Silvanus opened the quarrel that became the Donatist schism.

Verified single attestation

Named once, in the Gesta apud Zenophilum — the Cirta records of 19 May 303 and 13 December 320; no other ancient source names him.

Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.

Common questions

When was Paul active?

Paul of Cirta is dated fl. 19 May 303; d. before AD 305 in the archive, which places Paul in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).

Which early sources mention Paul?

Paul of Cirta is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Municipal acts of Cirta. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Paul from?

The archive associates Paul of Cirta with Cirta (Constantina), Numidia. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.

Who were Paul’s contemporaries?

The archive links Paul of Cirta to 3 other figures, including Silvanus of Cirta, Munatius Felix and Emperor Diocletian. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

Primary-source mentions (1)

Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

The Acts of Munatius Felix, 19 May 303 — read into evidence before Zenophilus

c. AD 303

Paul the Bishop said: ‘The lectors have the Scriptures. But we surrender what we have here.’ … Felix said to Paul the Bishop: ‘Show us the lectors or send to them.’ Paul the Bishop said: ‘You all know them.’

Municipal acts of Cirta · Gesta apud Zenophilum, Acts of 19 May 303 · source text