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1. A presbytera could be a full-fledged presbyter in some heretical Christian sects with a ministry equal to that of their other male presbyters.
Epiphanius, Tertullian, Firmilian and Augustine speak of such presbyterae among the Quintillians, Cataphrygians, Montanists, etc.
2. Usually the title presbytera denoted the wife of a presbyter who vowed celibacy when her husband received his priestly ordination.
Such a presbytera, the priest's wife, originally lived a life of sexual abstinence in her husband's home. It seems that she received some form of ordination and acquired ecclesiastical status with some distinct duties. These did not, however, include any liturgical functions. More information here.
3. Perhaps liturgically active presbyterae functioned for some centuries in dioceses of southern Italy.
Possible evidence for this is found in a letter by Pope Gelasius I of 494 AD. Tomb stones in roughly the same region may corroborate this hypothesis. More information here.
The evidence has been presented most forcefully by Professor Giorgio Otranto.
John Wijngaards
Ministries of women in the West |
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Deaconesses gaul, italy, germany |
Widows north africa, gaul, italy |
Conhospitae england, wales, ireland |
Presbyterae southern italy, sicily |
Freilas basque area, gaul, spain |
Abbess Sacerdos england, germany |
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