Novatian Schism
Quick Summary
The Novatian Schism was a religious division within early Christianity that began in 251 CE. It was initiated by Novatian, a theologian from Rome who became the second antipope. The schism arose from a disagreement over how to treat Christians who had renounced their faith during periods of persecution, known as the lapsi.1
Novatian and his followers held a rigorist view, believing that those who had apostatized could not be readmitted to the church, even after penance. This stance contrasted with the more moderate approach favored by the elected pope, St. Cornelius. Novatian's followers, the Novatians, formed their own sect that spread across the Roman Empire and persisted for centuries. This movement shared similarities with other rigorist groups, such as the Donatists in North Africa.123
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ChristianityThe problem of jurisdictional authority…the theologian and schismatic pope Novatian at Rome in 251, the final consensus held that the power to bind and loose (compare Matthew 16:18–19), to excommunicate and absolve, was vested in bishops and presbyters by their ordination.
Read More…the theologian and schismatic pope Novatian at Rome in 251, the final consensus held that the power to bind and loose (compare Matthew 16:18–19), to excommunicate and absolve, was vested in bishops and presbyters by their ordination.
Read More- ChristianityWestern controversies
But in 251 Novatian’s schism at Rome diverted interest away from speculative theology to juridical questions about the membership of the church and the validity of sacraments. Differences of opinion over similar issues in the 4th century led to a schism between Rome and the churches of North…
Read MoreBut in 251 Novatian’s schism at Rome diverted interest away from speculative theology to juridical questions about the membership of the church and the validity of sacraments. Differences of opinion over similar issues in the 4th century led to a schism between Rome and the churches of North…
Read More - ChristianityEarly controversies
The Novatians broke fellowship with Christians who had offered sacrifices to pagan gods during the persecutions by the Roman emperor Decius in 250 ce. In the early 4th century the Donatists, Christians in North Africa who prided themselves as the church of the martyrs, refused to…
Read MoreThe Novatians broke fellowship with Christians who had offered sacrifices to pagan gods during the persecutions by the Roman emperor Decius in 250 ce. In the early 4th century the Donatists, Christians in North Africa who prided themselves as the church of the martyrs, refused to…
Read More