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Previous  Next   Chapter XVIII.—Another Heresy, that of the
Sabbatians, is originated by the Novatians. Their Synod in
Sangarus. Account in Greater Detail of the Easter Festival.  A
division arose during the same reign among the Novatians 1554
concerning the celebration of the festival of Easter, and from
this dispute originated another, called the Sabbatian.
Sabbatius, who, with Theoctistus and Macarius, had been ordained
presbyter by Marcian, adopted the opinion of the co-presbyters,
who had been convened at Pazoucoma 1555 during the reign of
Valens, and maintained that the feast of the Passover (Easter)
ought to be celebrated by Christians as by Jews. He seceded from
the Church at first for the purpose of exercising greater
austerity, for he professed to adopt a very austere mode of
life. He also declared that one motive of his secession was,
that many persons who participated in the mysteries appeared to
him to be unworthy of the honor. When, howeve