Montanus, aided by two women, Maximilla and…

Montanus, aided by two women, Maximilla and Priscilla (or Prisca), has established an apocalyptic sect, whose enthusiastic followers preach the imminent end of the world, austere morality, and severe penitential discipline.

The Montanists, as the sect comes to be called, prohibit second marriages, deny the divine nature of the church, and refuse forgiveness for sins that persons commit after baptism.

The Montanists apparently seek renewal of the church from within through a rebirth of the religious enthusiasm that had characterized early Christianity.

Montanus preaches that revelation and prophecy has not ended with Jesus’ death.

The Church, threatened by this belief and the growing expectation of Christ’s Second Coming, excommunicates many Montanists.