'''Jovinian,''' or '''Jovinianus,''' (died c.405) was an opponent of [[Christian]] [[asceticism]] in the 4th century and was condemned as a [[Heresy|heretic]] at [[synod]]s convened in [[Rome]] under [[Pope Siricius]] and in [[Milan]] by St [[Ambrose of Milan|Ambrose]] in 393.<ref>''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'' by F. L. Cross (Editor), E. A. Livingstone (Editor) Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition p.904 (March 13, 1997) </ref> Our information about him is derived principally from the work of St.[[St. Jerome]] in two books, ''[[Adversus Jovinianum]]''.<ref name="catholic encyclopedia">[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08530a.htm CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Jovianus<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Jerome referred to him as the "[[Epicurus]] of Christianity". <ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/> He was a native of [[Corduene]].<ref>H. Schlagintweit, H. K. Forstner, ''Lehrgang Kunstgeschichte: Von der Antike bis zur Moderne zum Selbststudium der Kunststile'', 186 pp., Schwabe Verlag Basel, 1991, ISBN 3796508855, pp.371-372</ref>

Jovinian was a [[monk]] at one time in his life, but subsequently turned against [[monasticism|monastic ]] [[asceticism]].<ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/> Jovinian was apparently broadly read and adduced examples from secular literature, which did not sit well at the synods. He became the leader of a group of disciples: Auxentius, Genialis, Germinator, Felix, Prontinus, Martianus, Januarius and Ingeniosus are identified in the act of 390 condemning him.<ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/> His writings praising the excellence of marriage, which he published from Rome, were condemned at a synod held in Rome under Pope Siricius and subsequently at the Milan synod.<ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/>

The writings of Jovinian were sent to Jerome by his friend St. [[Saint Pammachius|Pammachius]].<ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/> Jerome replied to them in a long treatise in two books, written in 393. From this work it would appear that Jovinian maintained several heterodox opinions about [[virginity]] and [[sin]].

From a letter of the synod at Milan to Pope Siricius (Ambrose, ''Epistle'' xlii) and from [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]'s book ''Contra Julian.'' ii, it is clear that Jovinian also denied the [[perpetual virginity of Mary]].<ref name="catholic encyclopedia"/>

The counter of St. Jerome to this "Epicurus of Christianity" took a whole book to praise virginity and disparage the state of marriage, based upon [[Apostle Paul of Tarsus|Paul]]'s remarks in ''[[1 Corinthians]]'' 7. The work was couched in abusive and intemperate language that appalled Pammachius, who found it excessive in its praise of virginity and in depreciation of marriage. Jerome did not approve of democratic distribution of bliss in the life to come: