Note 251 — Chapter VIII · POST-CHRISTIAN GNOSTICS: THE OPHITES

This should be the sphere of Mercury, the messenger of the gods and leader of souls, who, unlike the higher powers, sees the earth from anigh and without veils. The παρθένου πνεῦμα “spirit of a Virgin” may be the Virgin of Light of the Pistis Sophia, who plays such an important part in the redemption of souls. Hippolytus’ Naassene writer (Hipp. op. cit. Bk V. c. 9, p. 181, Cruice) speaks of Jesus as the true gate and talks in this connection of “Life-giving water” and of “we Christians celebrating the mystery in the third gate”—an allusion which is unintelligible at present, unless it refers to the waters of baptism.