Novatianism

Novatianism was heavily influenced by Tertullian, the idea that the lapsi cannot be restored was also found in the views of Tertullian.[2]

After the martyrdom of Pope Fabian during the Decian persecution, a Roman priest, Novatian, opposed the election of Pope Cornelius in 251, on the grounds that Cornelius was too liberal in accepting lapsed Christians. Novatian held that lapsed Christians, who had not maintained their confession of faith under persecution, may not be received again into communion with the church. He was consecrated bishop by three bishops of Italy and declared himself to be the true Pope. He and his followers were excommunicated by a synod held at Rome in October of the same year.[7] Novatian is said to have suffered martyrdom under Emperor Valerian I (253–260).

Novatian should not be confused with one Novatus, a priest of Carthage, who advocated re-admitting the lapsi without an enforced penance.[8] Cyprian of Carthage came to a position opposed to both and advocated a council be held to establish a policy under which former idolaters could be once again admitted to communion with the church.

Lardner argues that Eusebius and the Greeks in general were correct in calling the Roman presbyter Novatus, not Novatianus. He attributes the origin of the latter name to Cyprian, who called the Roman presbyter Novatianus, as being a follower of his own rebellious priest, Novatus of Carthage.[9] Novatian in his writings defended the doctrine of the Trinity, argued that the Old Testament prohibitions on meats must be understood spiritually, condemned Christians who attend public games and praised chastity.[10] Novatian was heavily influenced by the works of Tertullian.[5]

Novatian's strict views existed before him and may be found in The Shepherd of Hermas.[9] After his death, the Novatianist sect spread rapidly and could be found in every province and were very numerous in some places.[7] Those who allied themselves with his doctrines were called Novatianists, but they called themselves καθαροι (katharoi) or "Purists" (not to be confused with the later Cathars)[17] to reflect their desire not to be identified with what they considered the lax practices of a corrupted and what was hitherto a universal Church.

While Novatian had refused absolution to the lapsi (those who had renounced their Christianity under persecution but later wanted to return to the church), his followers extended the doctrine to include all mortal sins (idolatry, murder, and adultery, or fornication). Most of them forbade second marriage. They always had a successor of Novatian at Rome and were everywhere governed by bishops.

Because Novatianists (including Novatian) did not submit to the bishop of Rome, they were labeled by Rome as schismatics. Additionally, Rome also labeled Novatianists heretics for denying that the Church had the power to grant absolution in certain cases (such as to the lapsi).

In the 4th and 5th centuries, the Donatist sect in Africa Proconsulare maintained a similar belief about Christians who had lapsed under the pressures of persecution; they too were declared heretics.

Some Novatians blended with the Montanists.[2]

• Antipope
• Donatist
• James L. Papandrea

• Vogt, HJ (1968), Coetus Sanctorum. Der Kirchenbegriff des Novatian und die Geschichte seiner Sonderkirche, Bonn{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link).
• Papandrea, JL (2008), The Trinitarian Theology of Novatian of Rome: A Study in Third-Century Orthodoxy, Lewiston, NJ{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link).

• Papandrea, James L., Rome: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Eternal City (Cascade Books, 2012)
• Papandrea, James L., Novatian of Rome: On the Trinity, Letters to Cyprian of Carthage, Ethical Treatises, (Translation with Introduction, Turnhout: Brepols, 2015)

• Papandrea, James L., "Novatian of Rome and the Culmination of Pre-Nicene Orthodoxy", Pickwick Publications, 2011