Eunuchs

Eunuchs

a sect of heretics in the third century, who were said to be mad enough to emasculate themselves under the assumption that they should thus eradicate their evil propensities, and qualify themselves for performing, into a more holy and acceptable manner, the duties of religion. Origen was the subject of this miserable delusion. The practice is prevalent at this day in Russia, among the sect of the Skoptzi (q.v.). In the Council of Nicaea persons of this class were condemned, and excluded from holy orders. (See Celibacy And Valesians).