2007 Archive Edition - See the Archive Notice on the Project Homepage for more information.

The Ecole Initiative

The Ecole Glossary

Jovinian

Condemned by synods in Milan and Rome, castigated by Jerome, Jovinian (d. c. 409) was a monk at Milan, whose theological work does not survive and whose theology is known only from the writers who attacked him. Jerome says that Jovinian taught:

  1. A wife is as honorable as a virgin.
  2. Fasting and eating with thanksgiving are equally pleasing to God.
  3. A person baptized with the Spirit and water cannot sin.
  4. All sins are equal.
  5. All who are good will receive the same heavenly reward.
Augustine and the Milanese council add that, with Helvidius, Jovinian denied the perpetual virginity of Mary, the Theotokos. When Jovinian appealed his excommunication to Theodosius, Ambrose opposed the appeal. Imperial decree exiled Jovinian. Jerome mentions the death of his enemy "amidst pheasants and swine's flesh" in Against Vigiliantius.

Karen Rae Keck

Copyright © 1998, Karen Rae Keck. This file may be copied on the condition that the entire contents,
including the header and this copyright remain intact.