Electus

In Manichaism, people who devoted themselves to the Manichaean cult in a special way through a strictly ascetic way of life were designated as electi ( Latin for chosen , chosen ) .

The electi were subject to the prohibition of all sexuality and almost all work, as well as diet and fasting regulations. They prayed, confessed and taught as listeners ( Auditore ) or catechumens designated ordinary believers who supported the elect with their alms.

In the teachings of Mani , only the “light soul” of the strictly ascetic Electi reaches the realm of light after death. The souls of the catechumens are born again and have to return to the “dark world” until their light soul is also liberated at some point.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Manichäịsmuswissen.de , accessed on July 18, 2019
2. ↑ Berthold Seewald: Mani and Manichäer: The "perfect" religion renounced sex and drugs Die Welt , April 14, 2016
3. ↑ Martin Scheidegger: The Manichean Community Manichaeism, p. 4 ff. Accessed on July 18, 2019.
4. ↑ Susanne Fritz: Manichäismus: Apostle des Lichts Deutschlandfunk , 23 August 2016