Novatian

Novatian was a learned presbyter of Rome, the first Roman theologian to write in Latin. His treatise On the Trinity sets out the rule of faith concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit against the heresies of his day. After the Decian persecution he opposed the readmission of the lapsed and was set up as a rival bishop of Rome in 251, which led to a lasting schism.

Dates

fl. ca. 240–258 (approximate)

See or city

Rome

Region

Italy

Also known as

Novatianus; Novatus (in Greek sources)

Notes

A presbyter at Rome. In 251 he was ordained a rival bishop to Cornelius, refusing readmission to those who had lapsed in persecution; his followers formed a separate church that lasted for centuries. Socrates (Church History 4.28) says that he died a martyr under Valerian; this is uncertain.

Works

• On the TrinityDe Trinitate · ca. 240–250 · CPL 71 (unverified)