Synod of Rome (313)

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The Synod of Rome took place in 313 and was supposed to end a church dispute in North Africa .

prehistory

The bishop of Carthage , Caecilianus , had been removed from office in 312 by Donatists , because a so-called traditor named Felix had supposedly participated in his episcopal ordination . From this the Donatist dispute developed .

Convocation

In order to settle this church dispute in North Africa, Emperor Constantine commissioned the Bishop of Rome Miltiades to come to a decision together with three other bishops. Both interest parties were represented at the Synod in Rome . In addition, three Gallic bishops invited by the emperor and 15 Italian bishops took part.

Negotiations and outcome

The subject of the negotiations should initially only be a financial compensation to Caecilianus. However, since his opponents insisted on his impeachment, the synod rolled out the procedure again and finally rejected the African decisions with the stipulation that Caecilianus should be reinstated as bishop.

meaning

With this synod, Constantine established the legal institution of the Synod of Bishops. UPON him for serving the position of Pontifex maximus : The Emperor held this office to the salus publicus to maintain, he could at questions concerning public worship, the Consilium another priest - in this case were the bishops - exercise a "cult" jurisdiction.

literature

  • Monika Suchan: Dunning and governing. The metaphor of the shepherd in the early Middle Ages . Walter de Gruyter, 2015, ISBN 9783110415230 , p. 63f.