The Montanists have, by the third century,…

The Montanists have, by the third century, established separate communities in which women and men are admitted to presbyterate and episcopacy.

Tertullian breaks with the church in 207 and becomes one of Montanism’s adherents.

Montanism, which as a spiritual and charismatic movement presents a threat to the emerging church hierarchy, draws a series of condemnations and continued opposition from orthodox Christian writers.