Q. 1. What is the Novatianism heresy?

A. 1. The word "Novatianism" finds its origin in the name of "Novatian" who was a Roman Catholic priest. In 251, he oposed the election of Pope Cornelius after the assassination of Pope Fabian during the great persecution. He believed that Pope Cornelius was too lax in accepting the lapsed Christians. Therefore, he allowed himself be elected as a rival pope, he being one of the first antipopes.

Novatian held that lapsed Christians, who had not maintained their confession of faith under persecution, were not to be received again into communion with the Catholic Church, and that second marriages are unlawful. He and his followers were excommunicated by a synod held at Rome in October of 251. Novatian is said to have suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Valerian I (253–60).