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“Hippolytus writing about Montanist Prophets - Greek Text with English translation”
Refutation of All Heresies, 8. 19
Montanism was an apocalyptic, ascetic and prophetic movement starting in the late 2nd century.
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But there are others who themselves are even more
heretical in nature (than the foregoing), and are Phrygians by birth. These have
been rendered victims of error from being previously captivated by (two)
wretched women, called a certain Priscilla and Maximilla, whom they supposed (to
be) prophetesses. And they assert that into these the Paraclete Spirit had
departed; and antecedently to them, they in like manner consider Montanus as a
prophet. And being in possession of an infinite number of their books, (the
Phrygians) are overrun with delusion; and they do not judge whatever statements
are made by them, according to (the criterion of) reason; nor do they give heed
unto those who are competent to decide; but they are heedlessly swept onwards,
by the reliance which they place on these (impostors). And they allege that they
have learned something more through these, than from law, and prophets, and the
Gospels. But they magnify these wretched women above the Apostles and every gift
of Grace, so that some of them presume to assert that there is in them a
something superior to Christ. These acknowledge God to be the Father of the
universe, and Creator of all things, similarly with the Church, and (receive) as
many things as the Gospel testifies concerning Christ. They introduce, however,
the novelties of fasts, and feasts, and meals of parched food, and repasts of
radishes, alleging that they have been instructed by women. And some of these
assent to the heresy of the Noetians, and affirm that the Father himself is the
Son, and that this (one) came under generation, and suffering, and death.
Concerning these I shall again offer an explanation, after a more minute manner;
for the heresy of these has been an occasion of evils to many. We therefore are
of opinion, that the statements made concerning these (heretics) are sufficient,
when we shall have briefly proved to all that the majority of their books are
silly, and their attempts (at reasoning) weak, and worthy of no consideration.
But it is not necessary for those who possess a sound mind to pay attention
(either to their volumes or their arguments). |
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Hippolytus,
Refutation of All Heresies (Philosophoumena).
MontanismGreek Text
English translation
Migne Greek Text
Patrologiae Graecae Cursus Completus
Patrologia Graeca