Skoptsy

The Skoptsy (Russian: скопцы, IPA: [skɐpˈtsɨ]; SG скопец "eunuch") were a sect within the larger Spiritual Christianity movement in the Russian Empire, best known for practising emasculation of men and the mastectomy as well as the vulvectomy of women in accordance with their teachings against sexual lust. The term is a descriptive one used by the official Russian Orthodox Church.

The movement emerged in the late 18th century. It reached the peak of its popularity in the early 20th century, with up to a million members in spite of persecution by the imperial government. Despite severe repression under the Soviet Union, small groups persevered into the 21st century.