Against Heresies: Book I

Among the heretics we've mentioned before, the Simonians, a multitude of Gnostics have emerged, appearing like mushrooms sprouting from the ground. I will now describe the main beliefs they hold. Some of them propose a certain Æon who is ageless and exists in a virgin spirit, calling him Barbelos. They claim there's an unnamed father somewhere who wanted to reveal himself to Barbelos. Then Ennœa stepped forward, stood before him, and requested Prognosis (foreknowledge). When Prognosis appeared, they asked for Aphtharsia (incorruption), which also came forth, followed by Zoe Aionios (eternal life). Barbelos, proud of these and contemplating their greatness, joyfully generated light similar to it. They assert that this was the beginning of both light and the creation of all things, and that the Father, seeing this light, anointed it with his own kindness to make it perfect. Furthermore, they claim this was Christ, who then requested that Nous be given to him as a helper; and Nous appeared accordingly. In addition, the Father sent forth Logos. Thus, the unions of Ennœa and Logos, and Aphtharsia and Christ, were formed; Zoe Aionios was united with Thelema, and Nous with Prognosis. These then praised the great light and Barbelos.

They also state that Autogenes was later sent forth from Ennœa and Logos to be a representation of the great light, and that he was greatly honored, with all things being made subject to him. Along with him, Aletheia was sent forth, forming a union between Autogenes and Aletheia. They claim that from the Light, which is Christ, and from Aphtharsia, four luminaries were sent forth to surround Autogenes. Additionally, from Thelema and Zoe Aionios, four other emissions arose to attend to these four luminaries; they call these Charis (grace), Thelesis (will), Synesis (understanding), and Phronesis (prudence). Of these, Charis is associated with the great and first luminary, whom they represent as Soter (Savior), and refer to as Armogenes. Thelesis is connected to the second luminary, whom they also call Raguel; Synesis is connected to the third, whom they call David; and Phronesis is connected to the fourth, whom they name Eleleth.

ALL THESE BEING SETTLED: Autogenes also creates a perfect and true man, whom they call Adamas, because he has never been conquered, nor have those from whom he originated. He, along with the first light, was separated from Armogenes. Moreover, perfect knowledge was sent forth by Autogenes with man and was united to him; hence, he attained the knowledge of him who is above all. Invincible power was also granted to him by the virgin spirit; and all things then rested in him to sing praises to the great Æon. Hence they declare that the mother, the father, and the son were manifested; while from Anthropos and Gnosis, that Tree was produced, which they also call Gnosis itself.

NEXT: they claim that from the first angel, who stands beside Monogenes, the Holy Spirit was sent forth, whom they also call Sophia and Prunicus. He then, noticing that all the others had partners while he did not, searched for a being to unite with; and not finding one, he stretched himself to the limit and looked down into the lower regions, hoping to find a partner there. Still not meeting with one, he leaped forth in a state of great impatience, which overtook him because he had acted without his father's consent.

Later, guided by simplicity and kindness, he created a work that included ignorance and audacity. They say this work is Protarchontes, the creator of this lower world.

But they say that a great power took him away from his mother, and he settled far away from her in the lower regions, where he formed the firmament of heaven, which they also claim is his dwelling place. In his ignorance, he created powers inferior to himself—angels, firmaments, and all earthly things.

They claim that by uniting with Authadia (audacity), he produced Kakia (wickedness), Zelos (emulation), Phthonos (envy), Erinnys (fury), and Epithymia (lust). When these were produced, the mother Sophia was deeply grieved and fled to the upper regions, becoming the last of the Ogdoad, counting downwards. Upon her departure, he believed he was the only being in existence and, because of this, declared, “I am a jealous God, and besides me, there is no one.” Such are the falsehoods these people create.