Who were the Essenes?
Essenes. A hellenized word, from the Hebrew Asa, a “healer”. A mysterious sect of Jews said by Pliny to have lived near the Dead Sea
per millia sæculorum—for thousands of ages. “Some have supposed them to be extreme Pharisees, and others—which may be the true theory—the
descendants of the Benim-nabim of the Bible, and think that they were ‘Kenites’ and Nazarites. They had many Buddhistic ideas and practices;
and it is noteworthy that the priests of the Great Mother at Ephesus, Diana-Bhavani with many breasts, were also so denominated. Eusebius,
and after him De Quincey, declared them to be the same as the early Christians, which is more than probable. The title ‘brother’, used in
the early Church, was Essenean; they were a fraternity, or a koinobion or community like the early converts.” (Isis Unveiled.)
[Of all the Jewish sects - says the Abbe Fleury - that of the Essenes was the most unique. They lived away from
the big cities; their goods were common, their food was very simple. They devoted a lot of time to prayer and meditation.
They led a very contemplative and perfect life, which many of the Church's fathers have considered them Christians.]. (G.T. H.P.B.).
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