The Origins of the Donatists in North Africa

The Donatists held that only their particular little conventions had authentic sacraments. The Catholics already before Augustine held no baptism has an indelible mark on the soul. But this became a fault line in North Africa, both sides appealing to the great African bishop Cyprian. He would often avail himself of the image of Roman soldiers who deserted. When they came back, what they would look for is whether they had the pygnus,. If they did, they were still members of the Roman army.