Skoptsy and Khlysty are perhaps the most famous sects that existed in Russia in pre-revolutionary times. What is known about the rituals practiced by these communities?
Deliverance from "sin"
Skoptsy also called themselves "spiritual Christians", "lambs of God" and "white doves". The sect was founded in the 18th century by the fugitive serf Kondraty Selivanov, who used to belong to the Khlysty.
The eunuchs believed that it was possible to save one's soul only by fighting the flesh, and the only way to do this was to castrate, deprive a person of "sinful" organs.
Since there was almost no birth rate in the communities of eunuchs for obvious reasons, there was a practice of involving new members in the sect by, for example, emasculating young relatives of community members. Skoptsy sometimes ransomed serfs, also in response to their consent to emasculate. Some were simply tempted with money.
At first, eunuchs removed only the testicles and part of the scrotum, crushing them with a hammer and then annealing them with a hot iron for disinfection. This rite was called "baptism of fire". Subsequently, instead of the hammer, various cutting tools began to be used. The wound was then smeared with various ointments or sprinkled with powders. In its place, about a month later, a scar formed, most often in the shape of a horseshoe. They called it "small seal".
However, after such an operation, many eunuchs continued to have the ability to intercourse, and then they began to remove the genital organ itself. This operation was called the "royal seal". It was carried out either together with amputation of the testicles, or several months after it.
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There was also a "third seal" - nipple removal. There was also a "fourth seal" - a triangle carving on the side of the eunuch. It is assumed that this sign was made in the place where Jesus was pierced with a spear.
Women were also castrated ("whitened"). They had their labia removed, sometimes the clitoris and breasts were cut off. However, after that they did not lose the ability to bear children. Some of the skopchikh women who left the community often even later got married and gave birth to children.
In addition to emasculation, one of the main rituals in the skopkoe communities was “zeal”. As a rule, these meetings were organized on the eve of major Orthodox holidays or memorable days associated with the founder of the sect, Kondraty Selivanov. During the zeal, Orthodox chants were performed, as well as "chants" or "poems" of the scopes, new members were accepted into the sect, and special dances were arranged. The participants wore white robes or long shirts.
Holy spirit "in the flesh"
The Khlyst sect arose in the middle of the 17th century among the Orthodox peasantry. Members of the sect called themselves "people of God" or "Christophers." The name "Khlysty", which appeared somewhat later, came, according to one version, from the ritual of self-flagellation practiced in the sect, according to another it was a modified "Christ".
The founder of the sect is the peasant of the Kostroma province Danila Filippovich (Filippov). According to legend, in 1645 the Lord of Hosts himself entered his flesh, giving people 12 new commandments.
The Khlyst communities were called "ships". At the head of each "ship" was a "helmsman" who was also called "Christ". He also had a "helmsman" who was called "Mother of God", "mother" or "prophetess".
The main difference between the Khlyst doctrine and the Christian one was that the Khlysty believed: God can incarnate in a person countless times. It can only be embodied in those people who lead an ascetic lifestyle. Therefore, food and sexual abstinence was preached with whips. Although they did not recognize church rituals, they sometimes attended the Orthodox Church for conspiracy purposes.
Orgies under the guise of "delight"
The Khlysty held their divine services ("zeal") at night. During the joy, they were engaged in self-flagellation, for example, whipping themselves over the body with tourniquets and rods, and also circling in one place, which brought them to a state of ecstasy.
The whips are often credited with practicing "felon sin". The fact is that they rejected church marriage and family relationships, but they had the term "spiritual cohabitation", which was interpreted very broadly. The fleshly excitement that seized the sectarians in the process of zeal was interpreted as "the descent of the Holy Spirit." Therefore, it is not surprising that "zeal" often turned into real orgies.
It is clear that both the Khlysty and the eunuchs were subjected to all kinds of persecution under both the tsarist and Soviet rule. Nevertheless, individual communities continued to exist in Russia as early as the 20s of the last century.
