A Russian religious sect with mystical rituals and extreme ascetic practices.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Spiritual Christian
Founders: Danilo Filippovish (according to tradition; disputed by scholars)
Founded: 17th Century
Ended: Early 20th Century
Location: Russia
Offshoots: Skoptsy
Other Names: Khlystovstvo, Khlysty
The Khlysts, also known as Flagellants, formed in the late 17th century as a clandestine sect that diverged from the Russian Orthodox Church. The sect’s foundation is attributed to a peasant named Daniil Filippovich (or Filippov) from Kostroma. Rejecting formal priesthood, holy books, and the veneration of saints, the Khlysts believed in the possibility of direct communication with the Holy Spirit and its incarnation in living individuals. They uniquely combined attending Orthodox churches with their secret gatherings.
Central to Khlyst spirituality was asceticism, which they practiced in pursuit of divine grace for sin. This was sought through ecstatic rituals known as radeniya, which, fueled by fervent singing, chanting, and dancing, often culminated in states of spiritual ecstasy. Participants would engage in these rituals, sometimes rumored to devolve into sexual orgies and self-flagellation, to experience divine grace and repentance. The rituals involved both men and women and were characterized by a removal of outer clothing, dancing in a trance-like state until exhaustion, and prophesying in unintelligible languages. Despite marriage being allowed, sexual intercourse was considered sinful, even with one’s spouse, emphasizing their commitment to mortification of the flesh.
The Khlysts faced widespread persecution and accusations of immorality from their inception. Government investigations and punitive actions, including arrests, interrogations, and exile, were common. Yet, despite such challenges, they persisted, adapting and evolving over time. By the 18th century, doctrinal changes led to the emergence of splinter groups such as the Postniki (Fasters) and later the Israelites, with some offshoots still existing into the 20th century.
The sect’s practices and beliefs made them a target for both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Soviet authorities, leading to a significant decline in their numbers by the Soviet era. However, a few isolated Khlysty communities survived in regions like Tambov, Kuibyshev, Orenburg, and the Northern Caucasus, as well as in Soviet Ukraine. The Khlysts have also been linked to notable figures in Russian history, including Grigori Rasputin, who was rumored to have adopted some of their beliefs.
image via All That’s Interesting
