Die Kirche der Reinen

When the so-called Decian persecution of Christians came to an end in the year 251 in Rome, an intra-church drama began to unfold, first causing an uproar in the Roman community and later spreading to all Christians in the Roman Empire. Propagating a »pure« church with no room for sinners, Novatian founded a separate church that quickly drew followers from all over the Roman world. Who were these believers who appear to have influenced the development of Christianity in large parts of western Asia Minor? Their teachings were uncomfortable, strict and rigorous and their perception of God often was considered merciless. Nevertheless, the Novatians had an attractiveness that allowed them to survive despite hostilities and persecutions. Vera Hirschmann investigates why the Novatians were that appealing, consciously avoiding to classify the Novatian Church as a heresy right at the outset, but rather as a real alternative for many Christians.