The Naassene Fragment is a short Greek psalm Hippolytus attributes to the Naassenes, a group of Gnostic Christians he portrays as devotees of a serpent called Naas. Beyond his polemical account and scattered references from other heresy-hunters like Origen (who speaks of serpentine “Ophite” Gnostics), no independent Naassene writings or sympathetic commentary survive. All that remains are quotes from their critics.
The poem describes an ignorant Soul's spiritual distress in vivid, mournful images: she wavers between glimpses of light and waves of misery, suffers judgment and bondage under Death, and wanders a seemingly endless labyrinth of spiritual ills. The tone then abruptly shifts as Jesus petitions the Father to let him intervene. Moved by her plight, he resolves to descend to earth to unveil the mysteries of the holy path he calls Gnosis so that she may escape the labyrinth. Though brief, this fragment offers a rare glimpse of a Gnostic tradition otherwise known largely through its opponents.
Original translation by G.R.S. Mead, 1906, now in the public domain.
How to cite:
Mead, George. . Translated by George Mead, edited by Rachel Bousfield. Other Gospels. (accessed ).
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Original translation by Alexander Roberts, 1886, now in the public domain.
How to cite:
Roberts, Alexander. . Translated by Alexander Roberts, edited by Rachel Bousfield. Other Gospels. (accessed ).
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