The Twelve Emissaries

The Bogomils had no priesthood in the Orthodox sense. Each community was said to have its own twelve 'apostles', echoing the twelve disciples of Christ, and ordination was conferred by the congregation rather than by a bishop. Women could be raised to the rank of 'elect'.

The model fitted a movement that rejected church hierarchy and spread by wandering missionaries. These missionaries healed the sick and cast out evil spirits.