DateOctober 2, 313
LocationRome
Summoned by Constantine
Chaired byMiltiades, bishop of Rome
Number of Participants19
Key ParticipantsMiltiades, Donatus, Caecilian
PurposeTo address the Donatist accusations against Caecilian
Key EventsThe council cleared Caecilian of all charges and confirmed his ordination
Primary Source DescriptionsEusebius, Church History, 10.5.18-20,

Optatus, Against the Donatists 1.22-24,

Augustine’s letters 43.5 and 88.2

 

Once Constantine became ruler of Italy and Africa in October 312, he extended complete toleration and restoration of property to the Christians in those areas. The Donatists immediately began applying to their new ruler for a judgment against Caecilian, the catholic bishop of Carthage. Their letter was preserved by Optatus. As a result, Constantine decided to organize a judicial hearing on the subject to be chaired by Bishop Miltiades of Rome. Eusebius incorporated Constantine’s summons to the hearing into his Church History and Optatus provides details of its planning and participants—three Gallic bishops selected by Constantine, and 15 Italian bishops invited by Miltiades.  The hearing, which had thus become a regional church council, met on October 2, 313. Caecilian was cleared of all charges, a verdict that Optatus recorded. He was to retain his bishopric and fellowship with the greater catholic church.

The Greek texts of the cited sources, together with English translations, can be accessed via the links below:

Letter of the Donatist Bishops to Constantine

Constantine’s Summons to a Hearing

Plans for the hearing and its participants

The Council’s Verdict

 

Bibliography

Werner Eck, “Eine Historische Zeitenwende: Kaiser Constantins Hinwendung Zum Christentum Und Die Gallischen Bischöfe.” In Konstantin Der Große – Kaiser Einer Epochenwende, F. Schuller and H. Wolff eds. (Lindenberg, 2007), 69–94.

U. Dionisi, “Rome” in The Encyclopedia of the Early Church (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).

JCB, PSAM, and GLT

Last updated: 2-10-2025 by JSW


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