251

The Novatianist schism at Rome

Bishop Fabian died in the Decian persecution. After his death the Roman church was for a time effectively led by the rigorist presbyter Novatian, author of a treatise On the Trinity (on the Son's consubstantiality with the Father).

In 251 the moderate Cornelius, inclined to reconcile with the lapsed, was elected bishop. The offended Novatian broke with him. He was set up as a rival bishop by supporters of strict discipline who denied the Church's right to forgive apostasy.

Dionysius of Alexandria supported Cornelius, while Fabius of Antioch supported Novatian. Cyprian of Carthage, after hesitating, recognized Cornelius. He wrote On the Unity of the Church against the schism, calling it "spiritual suicide."

The Novatianist church rebaptized those coming from other communities. It outlived its founder by centuries, spreading also to the East.