There is good evidence to accept that from the 2nd to the 6th
centuries AD, women priests functioned in the South of Italy and in
Sicily.
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I don't think that priests is the most accurate term to define these women. Certainly in modern usage presbyter has become synonymous with priest but in the time period you state that was not the case. At that time presbyter merely meant Elder (as in Elder of the church) it was the Presbyter's job to act as either a council to assist the bishop, or as representatives of a bishop when he was not able to be present.
Therefore it would not be outrageous for women to act in an advising role, sort of like a modern church group meeting.
Also it is well documented that women were quite active in the early church acting as deaconesses with the role of teaching the catechumens, performing baptism on women (this was done in the nude during this time, something scandalous for a male priest to do), they also took care of the spiritual needs of the ill, imprisoned and all those who were unable to go to the church, they were in charge of the choir and presided over the eucharist.
Therefore, in the modern Catholic church there is no difference in the roles of women from the ancient deaconess to the modern church helper. The only difference is the lack of an ecclesiatical title of prestige, which if that is the only reason for performing a role for a church is completely self-serving and unchristian.
Thus, obviously women have been important throughout church history, but historically in the orthodox churches they were never given duties assigned specifically to the priesthood, and as such they were never priests as we would know the term.