Ophites

This sect of Gnostics appears to date from the second century. A system of initiation was popular among the members and they possessed symbols to represent purity, life, spirit, and fire. Beliefs were based on mysteries of the Egyptian goddess Isis, concepts of Oriental mythology, and Christian doctrine.

According to the theologian Origen (ca. 185-ca. 254 C.E.), the sect was founded by a man named Euphrates. The sect was believed to have given special prominence to serpents in their rituals.

Sources:

Legge, Francis. Forerunners and Rivals of Christianity from 330 B.C. to 333 A.D. Reprint, New Hyde Park, N.Y.: University Books, 1964.

Ophites (Gk., ophis, ‘serpent’). A group of gnostic sects. According to them the wise serpent (Genesis 3. 14 f.) symbolized a higher god, who acts to liberate humanity and give illumination. Some sects worshipped the serpent, regarding the fall as God's denying of promised wisdom. They were also known as Naasenes.