Massimiano of Carthage

MASSIMIANO OF CARTHAGE. - Author of a schism within Donatism (v.), in which he was a deacon, at Carthage.

In disagreement with his bishop Primian, and condemned by him, he stirred up others against him, who, having assembled at Carthage to the number of 43, condemned him: a sentence confirmed in another council, of more than 100 bishops, at Cebarsussi. After Primian had been deposed, M. had himself ordained in his place, but a council of 310 bishops at Bagai (Apr. 394) absolved Primian, condemning M. instead together with the 12 who had ordained him, and giving the others a deadline for returning to the unity of the sect. The "Primianists" therefore appealed to the authorities to have the churches handed over to them by the "Maximianists" (M. himself was deprived of a house in Carthage), who were strong especially in Byzacena and Tripolitania.

Some resisted and were persecuted, such as Salvius of Membresa. Two, Felician of Musti and Praetextatus of Assuras, had to yield to the violence of Optatus of Thamugadi, but were reinstated, even though in place of the second a certain Rogatus had already been ordained (who later became a Catholic and was mutilated of his tongue and one hand). From the origin of this schism, from the fact that the "Primianists" did not hesitate to turn to the authorities, and that they did not contest the validity of the Baptism conferred by the "Maximianists," St. Augustine, to whom we owe these reports, took great advantage with great skill in order to reproach the Donatists with the contradiction between what they reproached the Catholics for and their own conduct toward these other dissidents.

Alberto Pincherle