a priest of Carthage, in the third century, who, to avoid being punished for a crime, joined with the deacon, named Felicitus, against St Cyprian. He went to Rome in 251; and there found Novatian, who had acquired great reputation by his eloquence, but who murmured at his not being raised to the see of Rome in preference to Cornelius. Novatus contracted a friendship with him; and afterwards promoted the detestable consecration of Novatian to the see of Rome. This irregular consecration produced a very great schism: Novatus also maintained, that the church had not the power to receive those to communion who were fallen into idolatry.