Skoptsy
Imperial Russian sect of Spiritual Christianity / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Skoptsy[1] (Russian: скопцы, IPA: [skɐpˈtsɨ]; sg. скопец "eunuch") were a sectarian cult[2] within the larger Spiritual Christianity movement in the Russian Empire. They were best known for practising emasculation of men, the mastectomy and female genital mutilation of women in accordance with their teachings against sexual lust.[3] The term "Skoptsy" is a descriptive one used by the Russian Orthodox Church.
The sect emerged in the late 18th century. It reached the peak of its popularity in the early 20th century, with a claimed million members living in the Russian Empire. The Skoptsy was essentially wiped out by the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.[4]