PHILIPPINS, a Russian sect, so called from the founder, Philip Pustoswi3t, under whose leadership they emigrated from Russia in the end of the 17th c., area branch of the RASKOLNIKS (q.v.). They call themselves Starowerski, or "Old Faith Mem" because they cling with the utmost tenacity to the old service-books, the old version of the Bible, and the old hymn and prayer-books of the Rnsso-Greck church, in the exact form in which these books stood before the revision which they underwent at the hands of the patriarch Nikon, in the middle of the 17th century. There are two classes of the Raskol niks—one which recognizes popes (or priests); the other, which admits no priest or other clerical functionary. The Philippins are of the latter class; and they not only them selves refuse ail priestly ministrations. but they regard all such ministrations—baptism, marriage, sacraments—as invalid; and they re-baptize all who join their sect from other Russian communities. All their ministerial offices are discharged by the Starik, or
parish elder, who for the time takes the title of pope, and is required to observe celibacy. the Philippics the spirit of fanaticism as times has run to the wildest excesses. They refuse oaths, and decline to enter military service; and having, on account of this, and many other incompatibilities of the system with the Russian practice. encountered much perseention,.they resolved to emigrate. Accordingly, in 1700, under the leader ship of Philip Pustoswiitt, they settled partly in Polish Lithuania, partly afterwards in east Prussia, where they still have several small settlements with churches of their own rite. They are reported to be a peaceable and orderly race. Their principal pursuit is agriculture; and their thrifty and industrious habits have secured for them the good-will of the proprietors