LUCIFER, bishop of Cagliari in Sardinia, is principally known in ecclesiastical history for refusing to hold any communion with the clergy who had, during the reign of Constantine, conformed to the Arian doctrines, although it had been determined in a synod at Alex andria in 352 to receive again into the church all the Arian clergy who' openly acknowledged their errors. In consequence of the decision of the synod at Alexandria, Lucifer eventually left the Catholic church, and his followers are spoken of by ecclesiastical writers ns a distinct sect under the name of Luciferians. The number of this sect was always inconsiderable : Theodoret says that it was extinct in his time. (' Hist. EccL,' iii., c. 5, p. 128, D.) Their opinions however excited considerable attention at the time when they were first promulgated, and were advocated by several eminent men ; among others by Fanstinus, Mareellinus, and Hilarius. Jerome wrote a work iu refuta tion of their doctrines, which is still extant.
Augustioe remarks, in his work on Heresies (c. heal.), that the
Luciferians held erroneous opinions concerning the human soul, which they considered to be of a carnal nature, and to be transfused from parents to children.
Lucifer is acknowledged by Jerome and Athanasius to have been well acquainted with the Scriptures, and to have been exemplary in private life ; but he appears to have been a man of violent temper and great bigotry. Being banished from Sardiuia by Constaotius in conse quence of hls opposition to the Arian doctrines, he resided for many years in Syria ; but after the death of this emperor he returned to his diocese, where he died about 370.
The writings of Lucifer were published by Tillet, Paris, 1568 : they consist of—' Two Books addressed to the Emperor Constantius in defence of Athanasius ;' On Apostate Kings ;" On the Duty of having no Communion with Heretics;' ' On the Duty of dying for the Son of God ; " On the Duty of showing no Mercy to those who sin against God ; ' and a short Epistle to Florentine.