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way to give scope to the indwelling Deity is to thoroughly subdue
the flesh, and that the only way of accomplishing that is by
“cutting it off,” they submit themselves to emasculation. The
psychical process which leads them to this is illustrated in the
case of the peasant Brumin, who told his story before the
judges. Asked how he came to undergo the operation, he told
how he began with an aversion to flesh meat, and lived solitary
in fasting and prayer. Strange visions troubled him by night
and day, angels and demons fighting for the possession of his
soul. He wanted to enter a monastery, but his parents were
opposed to it. Thoroughly preoccupied with the thought of
saving his soul, he dreamed only of religious sacrifices and pious
works. One day he met in the forest a wandering monk, who
asked him to put him on the highway. As they went Brumin
conversed with the monk about his spiritual needs and visions.
The latter listened attentively and said, “If you will save your
soul, you must kill the flesh.” Brumin was quite ready to
make an end of that flesh which stood in the way of his
salvation. The monk then performed the operation on the
spot and disappeared, leaving the peasant senseless, and
bathed in blood. It was close upon morning when Brumin
returned to consciousness, and dragged himself home with
difficulty. It came out afterwards that this monk had
emasculated more than eighteen persons, children among the
number.
To avoid the observation of the police, these operations are
performed in as out-of-the-way places as possible. Men,
women, and children alike submit themselves to it; the
contagious enthusiasm being sufficiently powerful to overcome
the natural terror. The method used formerly to be by burning
with red-hot iron; cutting instruments are now for the most
part used, and it may be imagined that, with the rough
instruments at their command and the not too careful handling, loss
of life is not unknown.
There is among the Skoptsi the same rapid spinning and
dancing as with the Chlisti, and the survival of the worship of
the generative force of Nature personified is even more marked.
The account of some of their ceremonies in connection with
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