Note 325 — Chapter IV

Footnote 325:

(return)

Special attention should be given to this form, as it became in later times of the very greatest importance for the general development of doctrine in the Church. The sect of Carpocrates was a school. Of Tatian Irenæus says (I. 28. 1): Τατιανος Ιουστινου ακροατης γεγοναις ... μετα δε την εκεινου μαρτυριαν αποστας της εκκλησιας, οιηματι διδασκαλον επαρθεις ... ιδιον χαρακτηρ διδασκαλειου συνεστησατο. Rhodon (in Euseb. H. E. V. 13. 4) speaks of a Marcionite διδασκαλειον. Other names were, "Collegium" (Tertull. ad Valen 1), "Secta", the word had not always a bad meaning, 'αιρεσις, εκκλησια (Clem. Strom. VII. 16. 98, on the other hand, VII. 15. 92: Tertull. de præscr. 42: plerique nec Ecclesias habent), θιασος (Iren. I. 13. 4, for the Marcosians). συναγωγη, συστημα, διατριβη, 'αι αθρωπιναι συνηλυσεις, factiuncula, congregatio, conciliabulum, conventiculum. The mystery-organisation most clearly appears in the Naassenes of Hippolytus, the Marcosians of Irenæus, and the Elkasites of Hippolytus, as well as in the Coptic-Gnostic documents that have been preserved. (See Koffmane, above work, pp. 6-22).