Armonians

Armonians refer to followers of a 19th-century religious movement known as the Armory Movement, which emerged in the United States during the mid-1800s. The movement was founded by a group of Christian millennialists who believed in the imminent return of Christ and the establishment of a heavenly kingdom on Earth. The name "Armory" comes from the belief that God would provide a literal "armory" or arsenal of spiritual weapons to defend against spiritual forces of evil during the end times.

The movement gained prominence in the 1850s, particularly in the Midwest and New England regions of the U.S. Its leaders, including figures like George Stetson and John Humphrey Noyes, emphasized communal living, celibacy, and strict moral discipline as part of their preparation for the Second Coming. One of the most notable aspects of the Armorians was their practice of "complex marriage," a form of communal marriage where members shared spouses and children, though this was not universally adopted by all followers.

Armorians were also known for their activism in social reform, advocating for abolitionism, women's rights, and temperance. They established several communal settlements, including the most famous, the Oneida Community in upstate New York, which later became a commercial enterprise producing silverware and other goods. The movement gradually declined in the late 19th century as its leaders shifted focus to secular business ventures and the communal experiment dissolved.

While the Armory Movement is often overshadowed by other 19th-century religious communes like the Shakers or Mormons, it remains an important example of the broader millennialist and utopian movements of the era. Its influence can be seen in the broader cultural and religious landscape of the time, particularly in the emphasis on communal living and social reform. Today, the Armorians are primarily studied as a historical phenomenon rather than an active religious group.