Novatian

Antipope

Novatian
ChurchNovatianism
Installedc. 251
Term endedc. 258
PredecessorCornelius
SuccessorRoman claimant:
Cornelius
Lucius I
Stephen I
Sixtus II
Antipapal claimant:
Heraclius
Opposed toPope Cornelius
Orders
Consecration251
Personal details
Bornc. 200
Diedc. 258
Occupation
  • Theologian
  • writer

Novatian (Greek: Νοβατιανός, Latin: Novatianus, c. 200 – c. 258) was a scholar, priest, and theologian. He is considered by the Catholic Church to have been an antipope between 251 and 258.[1] Some Greek authors give his name as Novatus,[2] who was an African presbyter.

He was a noted theologian and writer, the first Roman theologian who used the Latin language, at a time when there was much debate about how to deal with Christians who had lapsed and wished to return, and the issue of penance. Consecrated as pope by three bishops in 251, he adopted a more rigorous position than the established Pope Cornelius. Novatian was shortly afterwards excommunicated: the schismatic church which he established persisted for several centuries (see Novatianism).

  1. ^ "Novatian". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2008.
  2. ^ Roberts, Alexander; Donaldson, Sir James; et al., eds. (1886). The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian, Appendix. C. Scribner's Sons. ISBN 9780802880871. ante-nicene fathers novatian.