Cecilian of Carthage

Cecilian of Carthage ( Latin: Caecilianus Carthaginiensis ; d. 345 ) - Bishop of Carthage in the 4th century .

In 303, the tetrarchs Diocletian and Maximian , Galerius and Constantius Chlorus issued an edict abolishing the rights of Christians and demanding from them the observance of traditional Roman religious practices , and the Great persecution of Christians began, as a result of which some Christians, bishops and laity obeyed the demands of the officials of the Roman Empire and handed over to the latter for the burning of the manuscript of the Scriptures or in any way contributed to the persecutions. The most persistent Christians endured various persecutions: imprisonment, torture and death from pagan authorities. Christians, who openly denounced the policies of the authorities, were detained in Carthage prison. Believers gathered near the prison and brought martyrs (namely, the confessors at that time were called) clothes and foodstuffs. The bishop of Carthage, Mensurius, felt obliged to declare that persons who betray themselves to pagan power and would be executed not for the name of Christ, but because they had incurred such a penalty by some other circumstances would not be considered a martyr of the Carthaginian church. Mensurium was not limited to this, but sent his assistant, Archdeacon Cecilian, who, with the help of brute physical force, dispersed people who gathered near the prison where the martyrs were kept. Mensurium and Cecilian were opposed to visiting and honoring the martyrs in prison, they put in front of the entrance to the prison where Christians were imprisoned, several people armed with belts and lashes. The guards from the persons who came to visit the confessors took away the food that they brought to them and gave them to the dogs. The actions of Mensuria and Cecilin aroused indignation.

After the death of Mensuria, the cathedral in Carthage in 311 chose Cecilian as its successor. His consecration as bishop was performed by Bishop Aptunga . This consecration provoked significant protests in the Carthaginian church. Critics accused Bishop Felix of apostasy during the Great Persecution , as a result of which Felix himself was considered by them to have fallen away from the Church, and the consecration of Cecilian that was committed by them was not valid. The schismatics chose another Bishop of Carthage - . As a result, in many cities of the Roman province of Africa there were two bishops each, one of whom was subordinate to Cecilian, and the other to Majorian.

At the request of the schismatics, the emperor Constantine submitted this dispute to Pope Miltiades . The pope convened a council in Rome, to which Cecilian was ordered to appear with ten bishops who supported him, and ten bishops, that he was not recognized. The delegation of opponents of Cecilian was headed by Donat . Pope Miltiad supported Cecilian, but Donat did not recognize this decision and demanded to convene a new council, which was held in Arles in 314 under the leadership of Pope Sylvester I. The decision of this council, recognized donatism, named for the bishop Donat, heresy. Donata did not recognize these decisions and appealed to the emperor, who supported the position of Cecilian. The Council of Milan in 316 confirmed the decision of the councils in Rome and Arles. Emperor Constantine issued laws and decrees confiscating the possessions of the Majorian party, depriving them of churches and threatening to punish their rebellions with death.