This is an occasional series of readings from and brief notes
and commentary upon Eusebius of Caesarea’s The
Ecclesiastical History: Book 6, chapters 45-46. Listen here.
Notes and Commentary:
These chapters describe some of the
pastoral letters written by Dionysius of Alexandria during the Novatian Schism.
Chapter 45 concerns
Dionysius’s letter to Novatus (Novatianus) himself.
In this letter which begins with
Dionysius addressing Novatus as “brother,” he urges unity at all costs, exhorting,
“For a man ought to suffer anything and everything rather than divide the
church of God….” He says it is better to be a martyr over schism than idolatry,
since refusal to have unity hurts many souls but martyrdom due to idolatry costs
only one’s own soul. His final word is a call to cleave to peace.
Chapter 46 describes
various other letters written by Dionysius regarding the Novatian Controversy,
including letters to churches and individuals on repentance, a key theme in the
aftermath of those who had fallen away during the Decian persecution, and to
Origen on martyrdom.
Note is also made to his letter to
Cornelius of Rome regarding a synod to be held in Antioch by some who were sympathetic
to Novatus. He also mentions in this the death of Fabius and his replacement by
Demetrian as bishop of Antioch, as well as the death while in prison of
Alexander of Jerusalem, whom he calls “that wonderful man.”
Finally, note is made of letters to
the church at Rome including a letter on peace and one on repentance, as well
as letters to individuals.
Conclusion:
These chapters note the role of
Dionysius in exhortation and peace-making in the various Christian communities
during the Novatian disruption. He expresses a charitable but firm spirit in
addressing Novatian and makes plain that unity should be preserved above all.
His work and that of others, no doubt, contained and lessened the schism brought
about by Novatus.
This ends book 6.
JTR
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