Order of Nazorean Essenes

Welcome weary traveler exiled in these worlds of darkness. Be of good cheer for the teachings of Lord Mani are again spreading forth on the earth.

Mani - founder of Manichaeaism Naz site - S

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Order of Nazorean Essenes

Mihrite Manichaeans
The Mihr Branch Of Manichaeism

Manichaeans in Mesopotamia split into two denominations from 710 to 880. The more lenient and official one led by Mihr, who presided from 710-740, and the other more strict breakoff by Zadhormuzd and then Miklas. Monastic followers of the Mihr migrated into Turfan sometime between 763 to 840, causing scandal among the Denewars with their more relaxed habits such as doing daily chores instead of being waited on like the Turfan Monastics. They were called Syrians by the Turfanites.

A Uighur letter written by a Denewar Manichaean between 763 and 840 records some of the practices of the Mihrite Manciaheans from Syria, and another says thusly:

"...As regards the fulfillment of the law in general, they are weak in observing the commandments....Firstly. They sin against the commandment to be truthful . . . [gap in text] ...Our nun saw that their nun pressed . . . Furthermore, the virgin daughters of Azad-duxt. . . . saw that their nun took a pickax and dug up the earth. Neither do they hesitate to crush medicinal plants and strike blocks of wood. Furthermore, our nuns also saw how their nun let blood and washed . . . with water. And when our nun reprimanded them, they answered: "Water in wells is dead, therefore it is allowed." And they also crush medicinal plants themselves and kindle the fire themselves. And they see no fault or sin in this matter.
And furthermore, with respect to the commandment about "behavior in accordance with religion" (their observance thereof) is loose and shameless. For their leader, who is Mihr-Padar, was ill; he had a malady affecting the lower part of his body. A hired girl entered into his place and later came out. And when she came out, we were all suspicious, and the monks made inquiries. The hired girl servant said to Yazd Aryaman, Drist-Roshn, Mihr-Vahman and Vahman-Shah: "Two times did I extract blood behind the door and I shall do so once again."
Then one of her servants started a quarrel with (our) nun. And Mihr-Padar their leader seized that servant by the arm and took her away from the quarrel..." Sogdian Letter from Turfan

From this letter we learn that the western Manichaean monastics were more liberal than their eastern and more Buddhsit cousins the Denewars. These western Manichaean monastics of Mihr were the official Manichaean group directly descended from Mani himself. It is liekly that many, if not all, of their more relaxed customs went back to Mani himself. We know, for example, that Mani rode a mule from a quote by his immediate sucessor Sisin even though later eastern Manichaeans forbade all travel on mules and horses.

The modern Manichaean Orthodox Church, the Listener branch of the Order of Nazorean Essenes, identifies most directly with this Mihr Branch of ancient Manicaheanism. The more Buddhist Denewar sect is not rejected by us, but we consider many of her more austere practices out of harmony with the original balanced approach of Mani and the Mihrites.

Peace to all . . .