Strange Moscow Goldsmith's Religious Sect

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I have a faint recollection of hearing this story before, hopefully one of our members can confirm if there is any truth to this report:

The most disgraceful of the miscalled religious sects is the Khlistovstchina, the Jumpers or Flagellants. It was founded by one Daniel Philippov on Mount Gorodim, in the province of Vladimir, in 1645. He, blasphemously arrogating to himself God-like prerogatives, designated one Ivan Suslov to be "My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Suslov selected a "Virgin Mother" and twelve apostles. The adherents of this sect declare that this man was twice crucified and once flayed alive; yet he "rose from the dead." He finally died in 1716, designating one Prokopi Lupkin to be the Saviour; and in every generation since his time, there have been a Christ and a Virgin Mother. Indeed the extremists of this cult contend that every person must try to become one or the other. For full account of the immoral and promiscuous orgies of this sect, I refer the reader to Haxthausen's "The Russian Empire." I do not care to give them here. Although a secret order, they profess to belong to the Orthodox Church; but this is manifestly impossible.

In contradistinction to the last mentioned sect are the Skoptsi (eunuchs by self-mutilation). They are a reaction from the gross, promiscuous immorality of the Khlistovstchina. Nearly all of the goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers of Moscow and many other cities belong to this strange sect. They marry and adopt children. The members bear a good reputation for industry, honesty, and charity. The most important article of their faith is that Christ never did and never could have died. He wanders, sexless, like unto Gautama Buddha, and assuming different human form in various places on earth. He will come again soon and cause the great bell of Uspenski Sobor, Moscow, to be rung to summon the faithful who will with Him inaugurate their everlasting empire over all the world. They call themselves Korablik, "a tiny vessel tossing on the waves," and sing hymns which are appropriate to this sentiment.

Source: Russia in Europe and Asia - Joseph King Goodrich - 1912

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Probably no connection whatsoever with the above report, but one worth recording:

Abel Marquis, a Russian who was detained at the Barge Office with his family for a week alter their arrival on the 'Werkendam', was permitted to land last Friday. Marquis was engaged in the jewelry business in St. Petersburg, Russia. A rival dealer notified the authorities of Marquis' religion. A charge was made against him and the Prefet of the Police ordered him to leave the country, and with his family he was escorted across the Russian frontier. He made the rest of his way to this country. He has $100 in money left, and as friends have come forward and assured General O'Beirne that the family will not become public charges they were allowed to land. Marquis says he will start afresh in the West.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 12th August 1891

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K. Alexeyeff, formerly a well-known jeweler of the old Russian capital, was recently arrested in Leningrad, together with 26 other citizens. They are accused of participating in the activities of a sect called "Skoptzi." The sect is under the ban of law as its members seriously mutilate themselves and their converts while in fits of religious frenzy. The "Skoptzi" are also charged with anti-Soviet propaganda.

K. Alexeyeff's jewelry store was taken away from him in the early stages of the revolution. He was once sentenced to five years of prison for unlawful trade in valuables, but it is not stated whether he served his term. Now he is charged with counter-revolutionary activities in his capacity as a "Skoptzi" leader and preacher. When recently his house was searched by the State secret police, diamonds and other jewelry valued at several tens of thousands of roubles were found in Alexeyeff's possession and promptly confiscated.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th December 1929

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