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The Donatist Circumcellions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2009

R. Pierce Beaver
R. Pierce Beaver
Affiliation:
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Extract

Donatism was an exclusively African schism and for more than a century held the center of the stage in the Christian life of that land. It was born of local passions and quarrels, and had no success outside of Africa. It became the church of the native population and, raising“altar against altar,”1 successfully opposed both the Catholic church and the Roman Empire during several generations. Frequently, and especially in Numidia, the church of Donatus was more numerous, richer, and more powerful than its Catholic neighbor. Moreover, the Donatist cause came to shelter under its name a true social and economic revolt, which it found a useful instrument at times, but which was never a recognized part of its policy. Although the Donatist controversy was thus a local schism, it had important results for the Latin church, chiefly in regard to the doctrine of the sacrament of baptism, the orders and reception of schismatics and heretics, and the coercion of non-Catholics.

Type
Research Article
Information
Church History , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , June 1935 , pp. 123 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Church History 1935

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References

1 Augustine, , Epistulae, 43. 17, 76.2Google Scholar (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 99, 327). [In the following notes the Epistulae of Augustine will be cited as Ep.]; Optatus, , De Schismate Donatistarum, I. 19Google Scholar (CSEL, v. 26, p. 21). [Hereafter cited as Optatus].

2 For the history of the schism see volume IV of Monceaux, Histore littéraire de 1 'Afrique chrétienne.

3 Ep., 66. 2; 108. 14; 209. 2–3 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 236, 628; v. 57, p. 348); Augustine, , In Johan. Ep. Tractatus, II, 3Google Scholar (PL v. 35, p. 1191).

4 The periods of imperial persecution of the Donatists were 317–321, 347–362, and following 411. Throughout the entire period there was a steadily increasing mass of legislation against the party, and it is too detailed to review here.

5 Baxter, , Select Letters of St. Augustine, p. xxxii.Google Scholar

6 Ep., 35.2; 108. 14; 185. 12, 15 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 28, 628; V. 57, pp. 11, 14); Optatus, III., 4 (CSEL, 26, pp. 82–4).

7 Ep., 108.14 (CSEL, V. 34 (2), p. 628).

8 Ep., 81. 1, 6, 7; 105. 3; 108. 14; 111. 1; 133. 1; 134. 2; 185. 25 (CSEL. v. 34 (2), pp. 407, 412, 413, 597, 627, 643; v. 44, pp. 80, 85; v. 57, p. 24);Augustine, , Contra Crescon., III, 43. 47Google Scholar; IV, 51. 61 (PL, v. 43, pp. 522, 580–1);Breviculus Collations, III, 11. 21, 22 (FL, v. 43, pp. 635–6); Optatus, III, 4 (CSEL, v. 26, p. 81, 83).

9 Ep., 108. 18 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 632): Augustine, , Enar. in Ps., 132. 3Google Scholar (PL, v. 37, p. 1732); Optatus, III, 4 (CSEL, v. 26, p. 81).

10 Augustine, , Contra Gaudent., I, 28. 32Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, p. 725); Enar. in Ps., 132. 3 (PL, v. 37, p. 1732), Nam Circumeelliones dieti sunt, quia circum cellas vagantur.

11 Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de l' Afr. chrét., IV., p. 179.Google Scholar

12 Augustine, , Contra Ep. Parmen., I, 11. 18Google Scholar (PL., 43, p. 47).

13 Monceaux, , Hst. lit. de l 'Afr. chrét., IV., p. 31Google Scholar; Kidd, , Hist. of the Church to A. D. 461, II, p. 112.Google Scholar

14 Optatus, III. 4 (CSEL, v. 26, p. 82).Google Scholar

15 Ibid.

16 Ep., 43. 24; 51. 3; 53. 6; 76. 3; 87. 4, 5, 8; 108. 5 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 106,147, 157, 327, 400, 401, 404, 616); Augustine, , Contra Lit. Peti1., I, 24. 26Google Scholar; II, 23. 53–55; 28. 65; 37. 88; 39. 94; 52. 120; 103. 237 (PL, v. 43, pp. 257, 276–9, 281, 291, 293, 301, 340); Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de l'Afr. chrét., IV, p. 65.Google Scholar

17 Augustine, , Contra Lit. Petil., II, 92. 209Google Scholar (PL, V. 43, p. 330).

18 Ep., 133; 134; 139. 1–2; 185. 30 (CSEL, v. 44, pp. 80ff, 148–50; v. 57, p. 28); Augustine, , Contra Gaudent., I, 6. 7Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, p. 709); Gesta cum Emerito, IX, (PL, v. 43, p. 704); Possidins, Vita Aug., 15.

19 Augustine, , Gesta cum Emerito, IXGoogle Scholar, (PL, v. 43, p. 704); Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de 1'Afr. chrét., IV, p. 94.Google Scholar

20 Ep., 23. 6–7; 29. 12; 35. 2; 43. 24; 76. 2; 88. 1, 6–8; 93. 2; 105. 3; 108. 14, 18; 111. 1; 133. 1; 134. 2; 139. 1–2; 185. 12, 25–27, 30, 41; 209. 2 (CSEL, v. 34 (1) pp. 70, 72, 122; v. 34 (2), pp. 28, 106, 327, 407, 412–15, 447, 597, 627, 632, 643–4; v. 44, pp. 80–81, 85, 148–150, v. 57; pp. 10–12, 14, 24–25, 28, 36, 348).

21 Ep., 93. 17 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 461–2).

22 Even in the most remote districts of the diocese. Ep., 209. 2 (CSEL, v. 57, p. 348).

23 Ep., 29. 12 (CSEL, v. 34 (1), p. 122).

24 Augustine, , Enar. in Ps., 54. 26Google Scholar; 132. 6 (PL, v. 36, p. 645; v. 37, p. 1732); Enchiridion, XVII (PL, v. 40, p. 239); Possidius, , Vita Aug., 12Google Scholar; Cf. EP. 88. 6 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 412).

25 Possidius, Vita Aug., 12.

26 Ep., 88. 6–7 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 412–413); Augustine, , Contra Gresc., III, 46. 50–47. 51Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, pp. 523–5).

27 Ep. 105. 4 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 598), Possidius, Vita Aug. 14.

28 Cod. Theod., XVI, 5. 38, 6. 3–5; Ep. 88. 10; 185. 26 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 416; v. 57, p. 26). This formal outlawry of Donatism brought into the Catholic fold so many of the wavering and moderate classes who were alarmed at the growing fury of the Circumcellious that Saint Augustine wso at last whole-heartedly converted to the policy of coercion.

29 Ep., 88. 1, 6.8; 105. 3–4; 108. 14–16; 111. 1 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 407, 412–415, 597–8; 627–30, 643–4).

30 Ep. 88. 8 (CSEL, 34 (2), p. 414).

31 Ibid.

32 Ep., 86; 88. 8–12; 105. 3; 106; 107; 108; 111. 1 (CSEL., v. 34 (2), pp. 396–7, 414–418, 597, 610–11, 611–12, 612–34, 643–4).

33 Ep., 88 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 407–419).

34 Ibid., 8 (p. 414).

35 Ibid.

36 Gesta Collat. Carth., I, 139, 187–189, 201 (Mansi, v. IV., pp. 123, 137–142, 149–153.

37 Ibid., 188, 197.

38 Ep., 100. 2 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 538); Cf. Cod. Theod., XVI, 5. 44.Google Scholar

39 Ep. 100 (pp. 535–538).

40 Ep., 105. 1, 4, 17 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 595–6, 597, 610).

41 Ep., 105 (pp. 595–610).

42 Ep., 108. 18 (CSEL v. 34 (2), p. 632).

43 Ibid., 18 (p. 632). Saint Augustine says that this “war-cry” was more dreadful than the roaring of the lion. Enar. in Ps., 132. 6 (PL., v. 37, p. 1732).

44 Ep., 106; 107; 108 (CSEL v. 34 (2), pp. 610–634).

45 Ep., 111. 1 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 643–4).

46 Ibid.

47 Ep. 133. 1; 134. 2; 139. 1–2; 185. 30 (CSEL, v. 44, pp. 80–81, 85, 148–150 v. 57, p. 28).

48 Ep.,133; 134 (CSEL, v. 44, pp. 80ff, 84ff).

49 Ep., 185. 30 (CSEL, v. 57, p. 28).

50 Ibid.

51 Augustine, , Contra Gaudent., I, 6. 7Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, p. 709).

52 Augustine, Gesta cum Emerito 12Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, p. 706).Google Scholar

53 Ibid.; Contra Gaudent., I, 22. 25 (PL, v. 43, pp. 720–21). About 420 to 423 there were still a number of fugitive remnants of the wandering bands. Ep., 209. 2 (CSEL, v. 57, p. 348).

54 Victor, of Vita, , Hist. Persecutionis Africae Provinciae (De Perseoutione Vanadalica), III, 10Google Scholar (PL, v. 58, p. 225–6Google Scholar); Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de l'Afr. chrét., IV, p. 180.Google Scholar

55 Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de l'Afr. chrét., IV, p. 181.Google Scholar

56 Ep., 108. 18; 185. 15 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 632; v. 57, p. 14); Optatus, III. 4 (CSEL, v. 26, pp. 81ff); Monceaux, , Hist. lit. de l'Afrique chrét., IV, p. 182.Google Scholar

57 Ep., 108. 18; 185. 15 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 632; v. 57, p. 14).

58 Optatus, III. 4 (CSEL, V. 26, p. 82).

59 Ibid.

60 Ep., 185. 15 (CSEL, v. 57, p. 14).

61 Ibid.

62 Augustine, , Contra Lit. Petil., II, 83. 184Google Scholar ( PL., v. 43, pp. 316–317); Contra Cresc., III, 42. 46Google Scholar (pp. 520–21); Ad Don. Post. Col., 17. 22 (p. 666); Contra Gaudent, I, 28. 32Google Scholar (p. 725).

63 Ep. 185. 15 (CSEL, v. 57, p. 14).

64 “Sanctortum duces,” Optatus, III. 4 (CSEL, v. 26, p. 82); Augustine, , Engr. in Ps., 132. 6Google Scholar (PL, v. 37, p. 173).

65 “Continentes, virgines sanctae, sanetimoniales.” Augustine regarded these Donatist virgins as “bands of homeless women who have declined matrimony in order that they may avoid restraint.” Ep., 35. 2 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 28). Cf. Enar. in Ps., 132. 4, 6 (PL, v. 37, pp. 1730, 1732); Contra Ep. Parmen., II, 3. 6Google Scholar; 9. 19 (PL., v. 43, pp. 53, 62); Contra Lit. Petil; II, 88. 195 (PL., v. 43, p. 320); Contra Gaudent., I, 31. 37Google Scholar; 36. 46 (PL, v. 43, pp. 729, 734–5).

66 Ep., 43. 24; 88. 8; 185. 8. 12; 204. 1–2, 5 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 106, 415; v. 57, pp. 8, 10–11, 317–18, 320); Optatus, III., 4 (CSEL, v. 26, p. 82f); Augustine, , Ad. Don. Post Col., 17. 22Google Scholar (PL, v. 43, p. 666); Contra Candent., I, 22. 25; 27. 30–31; 28. 32 ( PL, v. 43, pp. 720–21, 724, 725).

67 Ep., 185. 12 (CSEL, v. 57, pp. 10–11).

68 Ep., 88. 6; 105. 3, 4; 133. 1; 134. 2; 139. 1–2; 185. 18 (CSEL, v. 24 (2), pp. 412, 597–8; v. 44, pp. 80–81, 85, 148–50; v. 57, p. 16).

69 Ep., 88. 6, 7; 105.3; 108. 14; 111. 1; 131. 1; 134. 2, 185. 2, 5 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), pp. 412, 413, 597, 627, 643; v. 57, p. 24); Augustine, , Contra Cresc., III, 43. 47Google Scholar; IV, 51. 61 (PL, V. 43, pp. 522, 581).

70 Ep., 76. 2 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 327): Ipse dixit, Messores angli sunt, non dixit, Messores princapes Circumcellionum sunt. The clerics were always the duces Circumcellionum, as Ep., 105. 3 (CSEL, v. 34 (2), p. 597). Cf.: Ep., 88. 1 (p. 407), and Contra Cresc., 111, 43. 47 (PL, v. 43, p. 522).

71 Ep., 108. 14 (CSEL, V. 34 (2) p. 627).

72 Ibid., 18 (p. 632).