Skoptsy

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]

^ Also transliterated as Skoptzy, Skoptzi, Skoptsi, Skopzi, Scoptsy, etc.
^ Tulpe, Irina; Torchinov, Evgeny (2000-01-01). "The Castrati ("Skoptsy") Sect in Russia History, Teaching, and Religious Practice". International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. 19 (1 pp. 77–87). doi:10.24972/ijts.2000.19.1.77. ISSN 1321-0122.
^ Engelstein, Laura. "From Heresy to Harm: Self-Castrators in the Civic Discourse of Late Tsarist Russia" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-11-10.
^ Skripnik, Oleg (2016-08-25). "The Skoptsy: The story of the Russian sect that maimed for its beliefs". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 2023-07-17.

[1] Also transliterated as Skoptzy, Skoptzi, Skoptsi, Skopzi, Scoptsy, etc.

[2] Tulpe, Irina; Torchinov, Evgeny (2000-01-01). "The Castrati ("Skoptsy") Sect in Russia History, Teaching, and Religious Practice". International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. 19 (1 pp. 77–87). doi:10.24972/ijts.2000.19.1.77. ISSN 1321-0122.

[:0-3] Engelstein, Laura. "From Heresy to Harm: Self-Castrators in the Civic Discourse of Late Tsarist Russia" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-11-10.

[Skripnik_2016_o088-4] Skripnik, Oleg (2016-08-25). "The Skoptsy: The story of the Russian sect that maimed for its beliefs". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 2023-07-17.

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