CATAFRIGI. — This name generally designates the followers of Montanism (v. MONTERANO), so called because this movement had its cradle in Phrygia. In the course of its spread, Montanism soon split into various groups, with different designations, according to the modifications introduced by leaders in the various factions.
There were communities of c. in Rome headed by Proclus and Aeschines: the former held only the errors common to all Montanists, whereas the latter identified the Son with the Father. In Carthage the c. recruited Tertullian, who later separated from them. In the West this movement did not constitute a serious danger. It displayed greater vitality in the East, however, where the Cataphrygian heresy continued to develop in various forms during the 3rd and 4th centuries. There the c. had multiple names: Priscillianists, Quintillianists, from the names of the two famous prophetesses Priscilla and Quintilla; Pepuzians, from the locality of Pepuza, their principal center; Orthotyrites, because some of them used bread (ἄρτος) and cheese (τυρός) in the celebration of the Eucharist; Tascodrugites, because during prayer they touched their nose with the index finger (τάσχος) (ἄρβυγος). What these heretics had in common was faith in the “New Prophecy,” that is, in the revelation made by the Paraclete through Montanus, which, inculcating a severe asceticism in expectation of the imminent parousia, came to complete Christ’s work. The c. disappeared almost completely only in the 6th century.