Skip to content

Research atlas for early Christianity. Claims are tagged attested, traditional, or disputed. Copyrighted full texts, including CCEL editions, are not included.

DeChurched Atlas

Controversies

Donatist schism

311–7th c.

attested. Well attested, though mostly through Catholic sources. Circumcellion violence is reported by opponents and its scale is disputed.

In North Africa, rigorists rejected Caecilian as bishop of Carthage because a consecrator had supposedly surrendered scriptures (traditio) under Diocletian. They elected Majorinus, then Donatus. They held that sacraments given by unworthy clergy were invalid and rebaptized converts.

Sides

  • Donatist

    Leaders: Donatus Magnus, Parmenian, Tyconius (dissident), Petilian of Cirta, Primian, Optatus of Thamugadi

    A pure church of martyrs. Sacraments from traditores are void. Opposition to imperial coercion (later with circumcellion support).

  • Catholic (Caecilianist)

    Leaders: Caecilian, Optatus of Milevis, Augustine of Hippo, Aurelius of Carthage

    Sacraments are valid through Christ regardless of the minister. Unity with the churches overseas.

Councils and places

Outcome

Rome (313), Arles (314) and Constantine (316) ruled for Caecilian. After the Carthage conference (411), Honorius outlawed the Donatist church (412).

What happened to the losers

The Donatists faced fines, confiscations and exile. Many were forced into union, some died resisting, and the rest survived quietly under the Vandals. Gregory the Great (c. 590s) still complains of Donatists. They disappear after the Arab conquest.

Groups

Sources

DeChurched Atlas — Early Christianity as history, from every source