Pepuza Usak Turkey

Montanus, a Phrygian, claims to have received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 156 or 172, to the effect that he, as representative prophet of the Spirit, is to lead the Christian church into its final stage.

He calls for less church hierarchy and more charismatic prophecy, regarding a life of seclusion and contempt of the world as the only true Christian ideal.

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.