Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church 7

The Gospel shows this sacrament of unity and this bond of inseparable concord when it tells us that the tunic of the Lord Jesus Christ was not divided or torn at all. Instead, when the soldiers cast lots to decide who would receive the garment, the whole piece was taken, and the undivided tunic was kept intact. Scripture explains that the tunic was not sewn from a patch, but woven as a single piece throughout. Therefore, the soldiers said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots for it, to see whose it is.' This tunic carried the unity that came from above, that is, from heaven and from the Father. Because this unity came from the Father, it could not be torn apart by the one who received it, but it held the whole and solid strength together inseparably. He who tears and divides the Church of Christ cannot possess the garment of Christ. On the contrary, when Solomon was dying, his kingdom and people were divided. The prophet Ahijah met King Jeroboam in the field and tore his own garment into twelve pieces, saying, 'Take for yourself ten pieces, for the Lord says, "Behold, I will tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and give you ten scepters. Two scepters will remain for him because of my servant David and because of Jerusalem, the city I chose to place my name there."' When the twelve tribes of Israel were divided, the prophet Ahijah tore his garment. But because the people of Christ cannot be divided, his tunic, woven as a single piece and held together, was not torn by those who possessed it. It shows the coherent concord of our people, who put on Christ, as an individual, coupled, and connected body. By the sacrament of the garment and by the sign, it declared the unity of the Church (1 Kings 11:29-32).