First Council of Cirta
The First Council of Cirta was a synod of bishops called by Secundus of Tigisis,[1] the primate of Numidia in AD 303 or 305.[2][3] It took place in the city of Cirta.
The Council is known to history for the participation of several "traditores", bishops who had handed over scripture to the Roman authorities during the Diocletian Persecution, and the absolution that Secundus gave them.[4]
The Council was also significant as Silvanus, a subdeacon, who had also been a traditor, was elected to the bishopric, amid much controversy;[5] this act triggered the Donatist schism in Church History.[6]
See also
References
- Back to citation Letters of Augustine, Letter LIII:2:4. (400AD)
- Back to citation Maureen A. Tilley, The Bible in Christian North Africa: The Donatist World.(Fortress Press,) p51.
- Back to citation Charles Joseph Hefele, A History of the Councils of the Church: from the Original Documents,(Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007) p128.
- Back to citation James Strong and John McClintock, Councils of Cirta, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. (Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880.)
- Back to citation J. Stevenson, W. H. C. Frend, A New Eusebius: Documents Illustrating the History of the Church to AD 337 (Baker Books, 2013).
- Back to citation James Strong and John McClintock, Councils of Cirta, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. (Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880.)