FIRMILIANO of CESAREA. - One of the most eminent figures of the episcopate of his time, he was bishop of Cesarea in Cappadocia from 230. He maintained cordial relations with Origene, whose disciple and protector he was; together with the bishops of the East he condemned Novatianism, presided over the First and Second Synods of Antiochia (165-266) against Paolo di Samosata; he died at Tasso in Cilicia while on his way to the third, in 268-69.
S. Basilio refers to a work (λῶσις) in which F. professed the orthodox faith concerning the Holy Spirit (De Spir. S., 39, 74). A history of the persecutions is attributed to him by Mosè di Coreno, but the report is of doubtful reliability. F. is known above all for the part he played in the question of the Baptism of heretics. In a letter, probably dating from the end of 256, to s. Cipriano, which the latter had translated from Greek (the 73rd in the Cyprian correspondence), he seeks to demonstrate, against Pope Stefano, that he sharply censures the invalidity of Baptism administered by heretics.