A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

268 A Source Book for Ancient Church HistoryThe matter in dispute was the rebaptism of those heretics whohad received baptism before they conformed to the Church.See § 52. It was the burning question after the rise of theNovatian sect. Stephen, bishop of Rome (254-257), hadexcommunicated a number of churches and bishops, amongthem probably Cyprian himself. See the epistle of Dionysiusto Sixtus of Rome, the successor of Stephen, in Eusebius, Hist.Ec., VII, 5. “He” (Stephen) therefore had written previouslyconcerning Helenus and Firmilianus and all those in Cilicia,Cappadocia, Galatia, and the neighboring countries, sayingthat he would not communicate with them for this same cause:namely, that they rebaptized heretics. This attitude of Stephenroused no little resentment in the East, as is shown by theindignant tone of Firmilian, who recognizes no authority inRome. The text may be found in Mirbt, n. 74, and in part inKirch, n. 274. The epistle of Firmilian is to be found amongthe epistles of Cyprian, to whom it was written.[243]Ch. 2. We may in this matter give thanks to Stephen that ithas now happened through his unkindness [inhumanity] that wereceive proof of your faith and wisdom.Ch. 3. But let these things which were done by Stephen bepassed by for the present, lest, while we remember his audacityand pride, we bring a more lasting sadness on ourselves from thethings he has wickedly done.Ch. 6. That they who are at Rome do not observe those thingsin all cases which have been handed down from the beginning,and vainly pretend the authority of the Apostles, any one mayknow; also, from the fact that concerning the celebration of theday of Easter, and concerning many other sacraments of divinematters, one may see that there are some diversities among them,and that all things are not observed there alike which are observedat Jerusalem; just as in very many other provinces also manythings are varied because of the difference of places and names,yet on this account there is no departure at all from the peace and