Cyrene

CYRENE, a City and Province of Libya Pentapolitana, lying between the great Syrtes and the Mareotis. The City of Cyrene is at present called Caïroan, and is in the Kingdom of Barca. The Canton wherein it is situated, is called Mesrata. From hence came Simon the Cyrenian, Father of Alexander and Rufus, on whom the Roman Soldiers Matt. xxvii. 32. Luke xxiii. 26.laid our Saviour’s Cross. There were many Jews in the Province of Cyrene, and great numbers of them imbraced the Christian Religion. But others opposed it with much obstinacy. See Acts xi. 20. xiii. 26.Among the most inveterate Enemies of our Religion, S. Luke reckons those of this Province, who had a Synagogue at Jerusalem, and excited the People against S. Stephen.

After the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, one of the Ruffians or Assassins of Judæa, going to Cyrene, so effectually wrought upon the Jews of that City, as to prevail with them to follow him into the Desart, upon an assurance that he would demonstrate to them by signs and Miracles, that God had suspended his wrath against the Jews,¹ and that they might in a short time rebuild Jerusalem. Catullus, who was Governor of the Country, having intelligence of this, marched against these unhappy People, surrounded the Wood where they were, and cut them all in pieces. He preserved Jonathan from the Slaughter, and made use of him in discovering a pretended Conspiracy, wherein he maliciously included the best Men of the Country.

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