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Sionites

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a sect which arose in Norway iln the first half of the 18th century. They called themselves Sionites, as professing to set forth the reign of the king of Sion, of whom they claimed to be children, and with whom they were in such close communion that their acts were identified with his. They also took the name of Pilgrims and Strangers. It was their custom to wear long beards, a linen girdle, and to have the word "Sion," with some mystical character, embroidered in red on their sleeves. They delivered passports to their emissaries, whom they charged to aid in establishing the kingdom of Sion. One of their number, George Kleinon, gave out that he was inspired with the spirit of prophecy, and under his guidance they repudiated the baptism of their converts, and rebaptized them when they entered their community. Jeren Bolle, who had studied theology at Copenhagen, was their minister, and celebrated their marriages. Their principal residence in Norway was Bragernes, from which they were exiled in 1743, and obliged to settle at Altona. King Christian VI, in August of the same year, issued orders for dissolving the community on account of its disobedience to the laws, and its pretensions of setting up a kingdom which claimed to be independent. Some chose to emigrate, while others gave up their peculiar customs and adopted those of the country. See Gregoire, list. des Sectes Relig.; Blunt, Dict. of Sects, s.v.; Gardner, Faiths of the World, s.v.