Paulians, or Paulianists, or Samosatians

Paulians, Or Paulianists, Or Samosatians the followers of Paul of Samosata, who was made bishop of Antioch in 260, and deposed by the uanimous sentence of a great council held in Antioch in 269 or 270. SEE PAUL OF SAMOSATA. He refused to submit to the decision of the council, and the exercise of Aurelian's authority to enforce their decree is memorable as the earliest instance on record of the interference of the secular power in the internal affairs of the Church. One of the canons of Nice required the Paulians to be rebaptized, because in baptizing they did not use the only lawful form according to Christ's command. See Forbes, Nicene Creed (see Index). SEE ARTEMONITES.