Blastus (Montanist) Explained

Blastus was a 2nd-century leader of the Roman Montanists, a presbyter in Rome and a Quartodeciman, however likely born in Alexandria. Blastus caused a schism in Rome about Easter and gained many followers. Some scholars have argued that the hostility of Pope Victor I against the Quartodecimans, was caused by Blastus' schism. Blastus argued that Christians must keep Easter at the same time commanded in the Book of Exodus.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} Blastus was accused of judaizing the Church by pseudo-Tertullian. Irenaeus wrote a letter to Blastus called "on Schism" which is no longer extant.

Eusebius mentions Blastus along with Florinus stating:^[7]

Others, of whom Florinus was chief, flourished at Rome. He fell from the presbyterate of the Church, and Blastus was involved in a similar fall. They also drew away many of the Church to their opinion, each striving to introduce his own innovations in respect to the truth.

See also

• Florinus
• Montanus
• Miltiades (Christian)

References

1. Book: Trevett, Christine . Montanism: Gender, Authority and the New Prophecy . 2002-07-18 . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-52870-2 . en.
2. Book: Gerlach, Karl . The Antenicene Pascha: A Rhetorical History . 1998 . Peeters Publishers . 978-90-429-0570-2 . en.
3. Book: Brent, Revd Allen . Hippolytus and the Roman Church in the Third Century: Communities in Tension before the Emergence of a Monarch-Bishop . 2015-12-22 . BRILL . 978-90-04-31298-2 . en.
4. Book: Schaff, Philip . The Christian Church from the 1st to the 20th Century . 2015-03-24 . Delmarva Publications, Inc. . en.
5. Book: Schaff . Philip . A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series . Wace . Henry . 1890 . Parker . en.
6. Book: NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine . CCEL . 978-1-61025-062-7 . en.
7. Web site: Philip Schaff: NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine - Christian Classics Ethereal Library . 2022-07-01 . www.ccel.org.