Prisca(Greek:Πρίσκα), often written in the diminutive formPriscilla(Greek:Πρίσκιλλα),was a 2nd-century A.D. foundational leader and prophet of the religious movement known today asMontanismbased in thePhrygiantowns ofPepuzaandTymion.[1]She, along with the prophetsMontanusandMaximilla,proselytized a form of Christianity in which theHoly Spiritwould enter the human body and speak through it. With the exception ofTertullian,all historical information concerning her life, as well as the movement of which she was inextricably entwined, comes from extremely hostile sources written more than a century after her death.[2] Catholic writers in the 4th century condemned Montanism as a heresy[3]and its female leaders as seductresses.[4]
Prisca | |
|---|---|
Πρίσκα | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 2nd century |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sect | Montanism |
No information exists concerning her life before her entrance into the movement. In joining the sect she was said to have abandoned her husband.[5]Though the 4th century polemicists portrayed Montanus as the head of the sect, modern scholars debate the extent to which the three prophets shared power. InEpiphanius of Salamis’Panarion,he subdivided adherents of the New Prophecy into many smaller categories, one of which was Priscillianists.[6]Epiphanius defined a Priscillianist as having particular reverence for Priscilla as a spiritual leader but treated it and Montanism as interchangeable labels.[1]In the early 3rd century, Priscilla likely took over leadership withQuintillaafter the deaths of Montanus and Maximilla.[7]
References
edit- ^abTrevett 1996,p. 2.
- ^Trevett 1996,p. 3.
- ^Burns & Fagin 1984,p. 91.
- ^Trevett 1996,p. 153.
- ^Trevett 1996,p. 152.
- ^Williams 2013,p. 13.
- ^Trevett 1996,p. 163.
Bibliography
edit- Burns, J. Patout; Fagin, Gerald M. (1984).The Holy Spirit.Michael Glazier Inc.
- Trevett, Christine (1996).Montanism: Gender, Authority and the New Prophecy.Cambridge University Press.
- Williams, Frank, ed. (2013).The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis: Books II and III. De Fide(2nd rev. ed.). Brill.