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Theosebites

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a sect which spread in Palestine and Phoenicia during the first half of the 5th century, and appear to have been similar to, if not identical with, the HYPSISTARIANS (See HYPSISTARIANS) (q.v.). The Theosebites exalted the sun, moon, and stars into objects of worship, and yet acknowledged the Supreme Deity over all. Their religion thus appears to have been an adulteration of Christiainity with Magianism. Probably these sects are to be traced to the Therapeutse and Essenes, who worshipped τὸ ὃν or ῞Υψιστος, kept the Jewish Sabbath, and Jewish observances respecting food. They professed a partial belief in Christ, but were, at the same time, strict Unitarians.