Caecilianus, or Caecilian, was archdeacon and then bishop of Carthage in 311 A.D. When archdeacon, he resolutely supported his bishop Mensurius in opposing the fanatical craving for martyrdom. The Christianity of Northern Africa exhibited an extravagance in this respect which reached its height after Diocletian's persecution. On the death of Mensurius, Caecilianus was nominated as his successor. The part he'd taken against the would-be martyrs was then brought up against him. The religious world… (More on Caecilianus)