ASCITA

ASCITA,in Antiquity, a Sect or Branch of Montanists, who appeared in the eleventh Century. See MONTANISM. The Word is derived from the Greek ἀσκίτης, a Bag or Bottle. The Ascitae were so called, because they introduced a kind of Bacchanals into their Assemblies, who danced around a Bag or Skin blown up; saying, they were those new Bottles filled with new Wine, whereof Jesus Christ makes mention, Matth. xix. 17. These are sometimes also called Ascodrogites.

ASCITA