Novation Schism, Novatian

General Information

Novatian, c.200-c.258, a Roman theologian and the first writer of the Western church to use Latin, was an early antipope. He had himself consecrated bishop of Rome in 251 in opposition to Pope Cornelius. Novatian believed that Cornelius was too lenient toward those who had apostatized during the Decian persecution (249-50) and had then requested readmission to the church. He felt that more rigorous standards of readmission should apply. Novatian was excommunicated, but his followers formed a schismatic sect that persisted for several centuries. Novatian himself was probably martyred in the persecution of Valerian. Novatian's most important work is De Trinitate (c.250), an orthodox interpretation of early church doctrine on the Trinity.

Novation Schism

This began as a debate over the proper treatment which the church should accord to Christians who had denied their faith during times of persecution. In the widespread persecution under Decius, Pope Fabian was martyred in January of 250, but the church was in such dire straits that his successor was not elected until spring of 251. The majority vote was cast for Cornelius, who favored full acceptance of those who had lapsed in the terrible peril. The choice was repudiated by the clergy who had been most staunch during the persecution, and in opposition they consecrated Novatian, a Roman presbyter who was apparently already acclaimed for his important and orthodox theological work, On the Trinity. Christendom was thus faced with two rival popes, each seeking support of the wider church.

As each pope defended the legitimacy of his own position, the demarcation became more pronounced. Questions arose as to how the church should deal with those who had purchased from a magistrate false certificates affirming that they had offered a pagan sacrifice as over against those who had actually performed the sacrifice, a practice in which even bishops had engaged. The Novatianists maintained that only God might accord forgiveness for such grievous sin, while the Cornelius party argued for a judicious use of "the power of the keys" in forgiving the lapsed after a proper period of penance. Cyprian of Carthage became the major spokesman for this Catholic position of clemency.

He opined that salvation was impossible outside the communion of the church and that true penitents must be received back into the fold as expeditiously as possible, while Novatian and his supporters maintained that the church must be preserved in its purity without the defilement of those who had not proved steadfast. They were later to go so far as to deny forgiveness for any serious offense (such as fornication or idolatry) after baptism, though pardon might be offered to those deemed near death.

When they were excommunicated by a synod of bishops at Rome, the Novatianists, wishing to avoid compromise and complacency with sin, established a separate church with its own discipline and clergy, including bishops. Their emphasis on purity and rigorism as well as a vehement clash of personalities drew significant support throughout the church at large, and especially from a Carthaginian presbyter named Novatus, himself at odds with Cyprian. There was a strong following in Phrygia, especially among Montanist groups. The Novatian Church continued for several centuries and was received by the Council of Nicaea as an orthodox though schismatic group. In particular its affirmation of Christ as being of one substance with the Father was applauded. Later the sect fell under imperial disfavor, was forbidden the right of public worship, and had its books destroyed. The majority of its members were reabsorbed into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, although the Novatian Church was an identifiable entity until the seventh century.

R C Kroeger and C C Kroeger

Bibliography
A N F , V; Eusebius, History of the Church, VI, VII; A Harnack, S H E R K , VIII.