The Passalorynchites were an early Christian sect named after the Greek words for “peg” and “nose.” They believed that proper prayer required inserting two fingers into their nostrils, symbolizing pegs. This practice likely stems from a literal interpretation of certain biblical passages or a desire for a physical manifestation of devotion. The Passalorynchites were declared … Read more
The Ophites (Ophites) were a Gnostic sect that emerged in the 2nd century CE. They held a reverence for the serpent, believing it had benefited humanity by revealing the knowledge of good and evil. Consequently, they denounced Jesus Christ, whose mission, as stated in Christian scripture, was to crush the serpent’s head. This belief led … Read more
The Marcionites were a Gnostic Christian sect that flourished in the 2nd century AD, founded by Marcion of Sinope. They adhered to a dualistic belief system, positing two gods: a benevolent God who created souls and a demiurge (identified with the God of the Old Testament) who created the material world and trapped souls within … Read more
Infernals was a term used in the 16th century to denote the followers of Nicolas Gallus and Jacques Smidelin. These individuals adhered to the belief that during the three days of Jesus Christ’s entombment, his soul descended into Hell and was tormented alongside the damned. This doctrine, considered heretical by the established Church, reflects the … Read more
The Hermians were a 2nd-century Gnostic sect who followed the teachings of Hermas. They believed in a pantheistic worldview, identifying the universe with God and simultaneously with Hell. This belief reflects the Gnostic struggle to reconcile the existence of evil with a benevolent divine creator. Related Posts:Achamoth, Valentinian AeonMythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…The … Read more