ILLUMINATI [ilu’mine’tai; ilu’mina’ti], a name given by the Ante-NiceneChurch Fathers to those who submitted to Christian baptism (Greek; phiomega tau o’ s, “illumination”). They were called “Illuminati” (phiomega tau o’ s), or “illuminated ones,” on the assumption that thosewho were instructed for baptism in the Apostolic faith had received thegrace of illumination in an enlightened understanding. Clement ofAlexandria speaks thus of such baptismal light: “This is the one graceof illumination, that our characters are not the same as before ourwashing. And since knowledge springs up with illumination, shedding itsbeams around the mind, the moment we hear, we who were untaught becomedisciples. . . . This work is called . . . illumination by which thatholy light of salvation is beheld, that is, by which we see Godclearly.” Among the societies subsequently adoption the name“illuminati” were the Alumbrados or Alombrados, a mystical sectexisting in Spain from the early sixteenth century and appearing inFrance as the Guerinets during the period by a secret society foundedby Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon law at Ingoldstaldt, on May 1,1776, with the aim of combating religion and fostering rationalism.-Frederick Bronkema http://the-jason-society.blogspot.com/2016/01/illuminati-iluminetai-iluminati-name.html