Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Majorinus, a church reader at Carthage

Majorinus, a reader in the church at Carthage, holding some domestic office in the household of Lucilla, who was, through her influence, chosen bp. in opposition to CAECILIAN. This Augustine and Optatus denounced as an act of rebellion, and it was undoubtedly one of the first steps towards definite schism, a.d. 311. His party afterwards became known by the greater name of DONATUS. One of his consecrators was Silvanus, Donatist bp. of Cirta, who was afterwards proved before Zenophilus to have been a "traditor." Majorinus died c. 315. Aug. Epp. 43; 3, 16; 89; c. Parm. iii. 11, 18; c. Cresc. ii. 3; iii. 30, 32; iv. 9; de Haer. 69; Opt. i. 14, 15, 19; Mon. Vet. Don. iv. ed. Oberthür; Tillemont, Mem. vi. 15, 19, 24, 699, 700; Sparrow Simpson's Aug. and Afr. Ch. Divisions (1910), p. 18.

[H.W.P.]