A Dictionary of All Religions and Religious Denominations/Donatists

DONATISTS, a denomination which arose by a schism in the fourth century. They derived their name from Donatus, a learned bishop of Numidia. They maintained that their community was alone to be considered as the true church, and avoided all communication with others, as degenerated and impure. They re-baptized those came over to their party from other churches, and, if ministers, re-ordained them. They were much persecuted by the orthodox, though they agreed with them in point of faith, and are not charged with immorality. They remained till the sixth century.