Abelians Abelites, Abelonians, or Abelonites, a sect of Christians, probably of Gnostic origin, who, though practising marriage, denounced sexual intercourse as a service of Satan, maintaining that thereby original sin was perpetuated. As Abel had not been married, they took their name from him. Their numbers were recruited by children whom they brought up in pairs of each sex under one roof. They existed about the 4th centurv, and are mentioned by St. Augustine.. They lived near the city of Hippo in Africa. - The name Abelites was given in the 18th century to the members of a secret society, whose professed object was to cultivate the honesty and candor of Abel, whom they took for their model and patron.