Quick Facts
Born:
380, Eclanum, Italy
Died:
c. 455,, Sicily
Subjects Of Study:
Pelagianism
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Julian Of Eclanum (born 380, Eclanum, Italy—died c. 455, Sicily) was the bishop of Eclanum who is considered to be the most intellectual leader of the Pelagians (see Pelagianism).

Julian was married c. 402, but upon the death of his wife he was ordained and c. 417 succeeded his father, Memorius, as bishop by appointment of Pope St. Innocent I. An early supporter of Pelagius (q.v.), he and several other bishops refused to sign the document issued by Pope St. Zosimus excommunicating Pelagius and his disciple Celestius. Julian demanded that a general council of the church consider the problem. His appeal was rejected, and he was deposed and banished from Italy in 421. He was condemned at the Council of Ephesus in 431, and all his attempts to regain his see failed. He eventually settled in Sicily as a teacher.

Julian systematized Pelagian theology and wrote several works (most of which are now lost). His writings are known primarily through long quotations from St. Augustine, who refuted them.

Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday
Britannica Quiz
Christianity Quiz
This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.