THERAPEUTÆ (θεραπεύειν, worshippers), a species of Egyptian ascetics mentioned by Philo Judæus. Some writers (and among others Scaliger, Mosheim, &c.), identify this sect with the Essenes, while Eusebius regards them as Christians who dwelt in the neighbourhood of Alexandria, and who were converted by Mark. But these views are by no means satisfactory. (See Dr Burton's Lectures on the Eccl. Hist. of the First Century, 2 vols., 1831.)