Library › St Optatus of Milevis › Against the Donatists

Against the Donatists

St Optatus of Milevis, tr. Vassall-Phillips, 1917

11. Appendix 11: Acts of the Council of Cirta

Acts of the Council of Cirta

When Diocletian was Consul for the eighth and Maximinian for the seventh time, on March 4, after Secundus, Bishop of Tigisis and Primate, had taken his seat in the house of Urbanus Donatus,¹ he said:
‘Let us first see that all are duly qualified to act, and thus we shall be able to consecrate a Bishop.’

Secundus said to Donatus of Mascula:
‘It is alleged that you have been guilty of Betrayal.’

Donatus replied:
‘You know how Florus searched for me to make me offer incense, and God did not deliver me into his hands, my brother; but since God has pardoned me, so do you too leave me to God.’

Secundus said:
‘What then are we to do about the Martyrs? They have been crowned because they did not “betray.”’

Donatus said:
‘Send me to God. Before Him I will render my account.’

Secundus said:
‘Come to one side.’

Secundus said to Marinus of the Waters of Tibilis:
‘It is alleged that you too were guilty of Betrayal.’

Marinus answered:
‘I did give papers to Pollus. My codices are safe.’

Secundus said:
‘Stand on one side.’

Secundus said to Donatus of Calama:
‘It is alleged that you were guilty of Betrayal.’

Donatus answered:
‘I gave them medical treatises.’

Secundus said:
‘Stand on one side.’

And in another place:
Secundus said to Victor of Rustica:
‘It is alleged that you “betrayed” four Gospels.’

Victor answered:
‘Valentianus was Curator. He forced me to throw them into the fire. I knew that they were lost. Pardon me this fault and God will also pardon me.’

Secundus said:
‘Stand on one side.’

And in another place:
Secundus said to Purpurius of Limata:
‘It is alleged that you killed at Milevis the two sons of your sister.’

Purpurius answered:
‘Do you think that I am frightened of you, like the rest? What have you done, who were forced by the Curator and the soldiers to give up the Scriptures? How did you come to be set free by them, unless you surrendered something, or ordered it to be surrendered? For they did not let you go at random. Yes, I did kill, and I intend now to kill those who act against me. So do not now provoke me to say anything more. You know that I interfere with nobody’s affairs.’

Secundus the Less said to Secundus his uncle:
‘Do you hear what he is saying against you? He is ready to leave, and make a schism; and not only he, but also all those who are accused by you. I know that they intend to abandon you, and pronounce sentence against you. You will then remain alone, a heretic. So what business is it of yours what any one has done? He has to render an account to God.’

Secundus said to Felix of Rotarium, [to Nabor] of Centurio and Victor of Garba:
‘What do you think?’

They answered:
‘They have God, to whom they must render their account.’

Secundus said:
‘You know and God knows. Sit down.’

And they all answered:
‘Thanks be to God.’

Previous · Contents · Next