The skopstvo movement appeared in Russia in the middle of the 18th century. Its founder is considered the fugitive serf Kondraty Selivanov, who left the sect of the Khlysty "Mother of God" Akulina Ivanovna.
Kondraty Selivanov.
The basis of the teachings of the eunuchs was a line from the Gospel of Matthew 19 chapter, verse 12: There are eunuchs who were born out of their mother's womb in this way; and there are eunuchs who are emasculated by people; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. Who can contain, let him.
Capital: Tambov
In the community of eunuchs, it was believed that the only way to save the soul was to fight the flesh by emasculation. For this in tsarist Russia, its members were persecuted and exiled to Siberia. But even this did not stop those wishing to join the community: in the second half of the 19th century, there were about 6 thousand eunuchs, mainly in the Tambov, Kursk, Oryol provinces and … in Siberia, where rich skoptic communities bought land from the local population.
Society of eunuchs.
Occupation: merchants, usury, and generally large wholesale.
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1. They called themselves "white doves." The etymology of the self-designation is simple: "to get rid of" in the jargon of eunuchs means to castrate. The eunuchs, like the Khlysty, called their communities “ships”. Despite the equality declared by the eunuchs, the "helmsman" at the head of the "ship" had power over other members of the community. A woman helping the "helmsman", similar to the Khlystov practice, is called the "Mother of God".
2. There were several main ways to involve newcomers in the sect:
- Castration of young relatives
- Economic enslavement
- Redemption of serfs subject to emasculation
- Seduction with money
- Promotion of "cleanliness", especially effective among young people
3. Skoptsy did not eat meat food, did not drink alcohol, did not smoke, avoided christenings and weddings, did not sing secular songs and tried not to swear at all.
4. Skoptsy willingly attended the Orthodox Church and even showed great zeal in matters of religious ritual. At the same time, they openly ridiculed Orthodox rites and sacraments; the temple was called "stables", priests - "stallions", divine services - "neighing stallions", marriage - "mating", married people - "stallions" and "mares", children - "puppies".
5. The natives believed that childbearing was the cause of impoverishment and ruin. “We don’t get married and we don’t get married, that is why we are rich. Do what we do, stop believing your stallions then life will be easier, you will be rich, you will be holy."
6. Skoptsy believe that when their number reaches 144 thousand, the last judgment will come, followed by the triumph of the followers of the skopstvo.
7. In the book “Russian eunuchs” Alexander Etkind wrote: “The consequences of the castration of men depended on the age at which the operation was performed. Skoptsy, castrated in adulthood, lost only the ability to fertilize. Castrated in childhood, they underwent great physiological changes. They retained a high-pitched voice, did not grow facial hair, and the body acquired its characteristic obesity."
Rumor
Rumor attributed to the wealthy community of eunuchs funding of various non-governmental organizations, for example, Narodnaya Volya.
There is a theory according to which Alexander Pushkin, in the fairy tale "The Golden Cockerel", covertly described the eunuchs: The Shamakhan Queen is the village of Shamokhan eunuchs, which was headed by a woman. The action of the fairy tale can be seen as an alternate emasculation of the sons of the king who fell in love with this woman.
Illustration for the fairy tale "The Golden Cockerel".
Skoptsy are often mentioned in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, and the topic of skopstvo itself occupies a large place in the work of the new peasant poet Nikolai Klyuev, in all likelihood he himself was at one time associated with this sect.
Selivanov's scopic song to his "kids"
O beloved children! Now I will reveal to you the whole truth that I am a redeemer, dear father, from now on I will arrange whom for what life and service I will honor. To whom I will dissolve the kingdom, and whom I will give as paradise, and whom I will thank for their faith!