Remontists

Remontists were a religious sect that emerged in the early 17th century, primarily within the Eastern Orthodox Church. The name "Remontist" derives from the Latin word "remontare," meaning to ascend or go back. This reflected their core belief in returning to the perceived pristine spiritual and administrative state of the early Christian church. They were critical of what they viewed as later accretions and corruptions that had entered church practice and doctrine over centuries.

Key figures associated with the Remontist movement included various monks and theologians who advocated for liturgical reforms, stricter adherence to patristic writings, and a more decentralized church structure. They often emphasized personal piety and a direct relationship with God, sometimes leading to tensions with established ecclesiastical authorities who saw their reforms as potentially schismatic.

The Remontist movement's influence waxed and waned, and it did not coalesce into a formally separate denomination in the same way as some other historical religious movements. Instead, their ideas often manifested as reform currents within existing Orthodox communities. While the term "Remontist" is less commonly used today, the underlying desire for spiritual renewal and a return to perceived foundational principles has been a recurring theme in Christian history.