The Dialogue of a Montanist with an Orthodox (CPG 2572)

Translation from Ancient Greek and Preface by Alexey N. Nemanov

Abstract

The article presents a translation of the «Dialogue of a Montanist with an Orthodox» (CPG 2572), a short Greek piece of the 4th century BC. This text proves the fallacies of the early Christian schism of the Montanists. Although the authorship of the work has not been established, the Dialogue is one of the rare monuments entirely dedicated to the refutation of Montanism. Deserves special mention in the Dialogue an Montan's saying, in which he identi es himself with the Father, the Son, and the Comforter. A considerable number of followers of the false prophet took this thesis literally, God was represented by one Person. Orthodox polemicists of the 4th century refuted these misconceptions with the words of the Savior, con rming the separation of Hypostases. An Orthodox interlocutor, having a good knowledge of the Scriptures, skillfully uses the Bible in a conversation with an opponent. These considerations are still relevant today, since the features of Montanism are inherent in some modern sectarian movements, such as Pentecostal. The «Dialogue is translated into Russian for the rst time.