Blastus (Montanist)

Blastus was a 2nd-century leader of the Roman Montanists, a presbyter in Rome and a Quartodeciman, however likely born in Alexandria. Blastus caused a schism in Rome about Easter and gained many followers. Some scholars have argued that the hostility of Pope Victor I against the Quartodecimans, was caused by Blastus' schism. Blastus argued that Christians must keep Easter at the same time commanded in the Book of Exodus.[1][2][3][4] [5][6] Blastus was accused of judaizing the Church by pseudo-Tertullian. Irenaeus wrote a letter to Blastus called "on Schism" which is no longer extant.[6]

Eusebius mentions Blastus along with Florinus stating:[7]

Others, of whom Florinus was chief, flourished at Rome. He fell from the presbyterate of the Church, and Blastus was involved in a similar fall. They also drew away many of the Church to their opinion, each striving to introduce his own innovations in respect to the truth.

  1. ^ Trevett, Christine (2002-07-18). Montanism: Gender, Authority and the New Prophecy. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-52870-2.
  2. ^ Gerlach, Karl (1998). The Antenicene Pascha: A Rhetorical History. Peeters Publishers. ISBN 978-90-429-0570-2.
  3. ^ Brent, Revd Allen (2015-12-22). Hippolytus and the Roman Church in the Third Century: Communities in Tension before the Emergence of a Monarch-Bishop. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-31298-2.
  4. ^ Schaff, Philip (2015-03-24). The Christian Church from the 1st to the 20th Century. Delmarva Publications, Inc.
  5. ^ Schaff, Philip; Wace, Henry (1890). A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series. Parker.
  6. ^ a b NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine. CCEL. ISBN 978-1-61025-062-7.
  7. ^ "Philip Schaff: NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine - Christian Classics Ethereal Library". www.ccel.org. Retrieved 2022-07-01.