Difference between revisions of "Novatianism" - New World Encyclopedia
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They are known to have made considerable use of works of [[Tertullian]], who had been a type of puritan himself and had joined the Montanist sect in his later career. In Phrygia, where they Montanists were still active, they two groups seem to have cooperated and even merged. Theodoret states that they did not use the sacrament of confirmation, which Novatian himself had never received. Eulogius complained that they would not venerate martyrs, although he may refer to martyrs who were specifically Catholic and not Novatianists themselves, as opposed to earlier martyrs. | They are known to have made considerable use of works of [[Tertullian]], who had been a type of puritan himself and had joined the Montanist sect in his later career. In Phrygia, where they Montanists were still active, they two groups seem to have cooperated and even merged. Theodoret states that they did not use the sacrament of confirmation, which Novatian himself had never received. Eulogius complained that they would not venerate martyrs, although he may refer to martyrs who were specifically Catholic and not Novatianists themselves, as opposed to earlier martyrs. | ||
| − | The Novatianists maintained a rival church and bishop of Rome, in opposition to the pope. Their governance, like the Catholic Church, was episcopal. According to Socrates, their bishops at Constantinople were highly esteemed persons. Indeed, the Novatianist bishop of that city bishop was invited by [[Constantine I]] to the [[Council of Nicaea]] and approved of its decisions, but would not accept union with the main body of the church | + | The Novatianists maintained a rival church and bishop of Rome, in opposition to the pope. Their governance, like the Catholic Church, was episcopal. According to Socrates, their bishops at Constantinople were highly esteemed persons. Indeed, the Novatianist bishop of that city bishop was invited by [[Constantine I]] to the [[Council of Nicaea]] and approved of its decisions, but would not accept union with the main body of the church. |
| − | In the fourth century, they conformed to the orthodox practice in almost everything, including [[monasticism]], except the matter of accepting those who had committed mortal sins. The Novatianists were persecuted like the Catholics by Emperor Constantius, who supported Semi-Arianism. After the death of Constantius they were protected by Julian the Apostate, but the Emperor Valens persecuted them once more. The pro-Catholic Emperor Honorius included them in his law against heretics in 412, and Pope [[Innocent I]] closed some of their churches in Rome. Pope Celestine expelled them from capital, as Bishop Cyril of Alexandria had done in his city | + | <blockquote> |
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| + | ‘For what reason then do you separate yourself from communion with the rest of the Church?’ he related what had taken place during the persecution under Decius; and referred to the rigidness of that austere canon which declares, that it is not right persons who after baptism have committed a sin, which the sacred Scriptures denominate ‘a sin unto death’191191 John v. 16. to be considered worthy of participation in the sacraments:192192 θείων μυστηρίων. that they should indeed be exhorted to repentance, but were not to expect remission from the priest, but from God, who is able and has authority to forgive sins.193193 Cf. IV. 28. When Acesius had thus spoken, the emperor said to him, ‘Place a ladder, Acesius, and climb alone into heaven.</blockquote> | ||
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| + | Constantine at first treated them as schismatics rather than heretics, but later persecuted them by ordering the closing of their churches and cemeteries. | ||
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| + | In the fourth century, they conformed to the orthodox practice in almost everything, including [[monasticism]], except the matter of accepting those who had committed mortal sins. The Novatianists were persecuted like the Catholics by Emperor Constantius, who supported Semi-Arianism. After the death of Constantius they were protected by Julian the Apostate, but the Emperor Valens persecuted them once more. The pro-Catholic Emperor Honorius included them in his law against heretics in 412, and Pope [[Innocent I]] closed some of their churches in Rome. Pope Celestine expelled them from capital, as Bishop Cyril of Alexandria had done in his city | ||
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| + | Earlier, John Chrysostom closed their churches at [[Ephesus]], but at Constantinople they were tolerated, and their bishops there are said by Socrates to have been highly respected. | ||
The work of Eulogius shows that the Novatianists were still active Alexandria about 600, enough so that he wrote six volumes against them. | The work of Eulogius shows that the Novatianists were still active Alexandria about 600, enough so that he wrote six volumes against them. | ||
Revision as of 06:59, 9 January 2009
Novatianism was a Christian "heresy" of the third century CE based on the teachings of the antipope Novatian, who was elected in opposition to the lenient policy of Pope Cornelius regarding the treatment of Christians who had abandoned their faith under persecution.
The Novatianists formed a major schism, with churches in many cities throughout the Roman Empire. They held a strict view that refused readmission to communion baptized Christians who committed serious sins, including apostasy, adultery, and murder.
Novatian
Novatian was a Roman priest or deacon of considerable learning. In 251 opposed the election of Pope Cornelius, following the assassination of Pope Fabian during the persecution, on the grounds that he was too lax in accepting the lapsed Christians. He let himself be made a rival pope, one of the first antipopes. He held that lapsed Christians, who had not maintained their confession of faith under persecution, may not be received again into communion with the church, and that second marriages are unlawful. He and his followers were excommunicated by a synod held at Rome in October of the same year. Novatian is said to have suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian I (253-260).
Novatianism
The followers of Novatian called themselves katharoi, or Greek word which later entered the English language as "puritans," and is rendered in Latin as cathari. They were found in every province of the Roman Empire, and in some places were very numerous. The best source of information on the History of Socrates Scholasticus, who was a sympathizer. He provides details about their their bishops, especially those of Constantinople, and also speaks of persecutions carried out against them by the "orthodox" faction. Their chief contemporary opponent was Bishop Cyprian Carthage. Other Latin writings against them include the anonymous Ad Novatianum writings by Pacian of Barcelona, the De paenitentia of Ambrose of Milan, Saint Augustine's Contra Novatianum. In the Greek East they are mentioned by such figures as Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom.
Novatian specifically refused absolution to idolaters—those former who had sacrificed to the Roman gods under duress and wished to readmitted to the Christian church. Whether or not he also refused absolution to those who committed other serious sins is debatable, but his movement clearly did so, possibly on the basis of his teaching. The Novatianists those refused forgiveness to Christians who had committed "mortal sins," namely idolatry, murder, and adultery or fornication. Most of the Novatianists also forbade second marriage.
They are known to have made considerable use of works of Tertullian, who had been a type of puritan himself and had joined the Montanist sect in his later career. In Phrygia, where they Montanists were still active, they two groups seem to have cooperated and even merged. Theodoret states that they did not use the sacrament of confirmation, which Novatian himself had never received. Eulogius complained that they would not venerate martyrs, although he may refer to martyrs who were specifically Catholic and not Novatianists themselves, as opposed to earlier martyrs.
The Novatianists maintained a rival church and bishop of Rome, in opposition to the pope. Their governance, like the Catholic Church, was episcopal. According to Socrates, their bishops at Constantinople were highly esteemed persons. Indeed, the Novatianist bishop of that city bishop was invited by Constantine I to the Council of Nicaea and approved of its decisions, but would not accept union with the main body of the church.
‘For what reason then do you separate yourself from communion with the rest of the Church?’ he related what had taken place during the persecution under Decius; and referred to the rigidness of that austere canon which declares, that it is not right persons who after baptism have committed a sin, which the sacred Scriptures denominate ‘a sin unto death’191191 John v. 16. to be considered worthy of participation in the sacraments:192192 θείων μυστηρίων. that they should indeed be exhorted to repentance, but were not to expect remission from the priest, but from God, who is able and has authority to forgive sins.193193 Cf. IV. 28. When Acesius had thus spoken, the emperor said to him, ‘Place a ladder, Acesius, and climb alone into heaven.
Constantine at first treated them as schismatics rather than heretics, but later persecuted them by ordering the closing of their churches and cemeteries.
In the fourth century, they conformed to the orthodox practice in almost everything, including monasticism, except the matter of accepting those who had committed mortal sins. The Novatianists were persecuted like the Catholics by Emperor Constantius, who supported Semi-Arianism. After the death of Constantius they were protected by Julian the Apostate, but the Emperor Valens persecuted them once more. The pro-Catholic Emperor Honorius included them in his law against heretics in 412, and Pope Innocent I closed some of their churches in Rome. Pope Celestine expelled them from capital, as Bishop Cyril of Alexandria had done in his city
Earlier, John Chrysostom closed their churches at Ephesus, but at Constantinople they were tolerated, and their bishops there are said by Socrates to have been highly respected.
The work of Eulogius shows that the Novatianists were still active Alexandria about 600, enough so that he wrote six volumes against them.
and affected to call the Catholic Church Apostaticum, Synedrium, or Capitolinum.
Theodosius made a stringent law against this sect, which was imported to Constantinople about 391 by a certain Sabbatius, whose adherents were called Sabbatiani.
In the 4th and 5th centuries, the Donatists of North Africa followed a similar belief about Christians who had lapsed under the pressures of persecution. They too were declared to be heretics.
See also
External links
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