Mandaeism (also spelled Mandaeanism) is a monotheistic, dualistic, and Gnostic religion that originated in the Middle East, possibly around the 1st–3rd century CE, though its roots may go back even further. It has a small but historically rich community, traditionally found in southern Iraq and southwestern Iran.
God: The supreme being is called Hayyi Rabbi ("The Great Life"), a transcendent source of all light and truth.
Dualism: The world is a battle between Light (spiritual realm) and Darkness (material realm). The soul originates from the Light and is trapped in the material world.
Gnosis: Spiritual salvation comes through gnosis (inner knowledge) and purification, allowing the soul to return to the World of Light.
As you asked earlier—Uthra (plural: Uthri) are beings of light, similar to angels or emanations, who serve the divine and guide souls. They are intermediaries, messengers, and often appear in Mandaean scriptures.
Mandaeans revere John the Baptist as their greatest prophet—not Jesus. In fact, they reject Jesus as a false messiah, believing he distorted true gnosis. This sets them apart from Christian Gnostics.
Baptism (Masbuta): Central to the faith. It's a repeated ritual (not one-time), symbolizing purification and renewal. Always done in flowing water (called yardna, often referring to the Euphrates or Tigris).
Fasting, almsgiving, and elaborate death rituals are also important.
Priesthood: The religion has a structured priesthood, with priests playing crucial roles in ritual life.
Ginza Rba ("The Great Treasure"): The main holy book, with cosmological, ethical, and eschatological teachings.
Qolasta: A liturgical prayer book.
Book of John: Focused on John the Baptist and his teachings.
Because of conflict, persecution, and diaspora, the global Mandaean community is small—likely fewer than 100,000—with populations in Iraq, Iran, Australia, Sweden, and the U.S. Most have fled their ancestral homelands in the past few decades.