Page "Mount Carmel" Paragraph 11

According to Epiphanius, and Josephus, Mount Carmel had been the stronghold of the Essenes that came from a place in Galilee named Nazareth ; though this Essene group are sometimes consequently referred to as Nazareans, they are not to be confused with the " Nazarene " sect, which followed the teachings of Jesus, but associated with the Pharisees.

Members of the modern American groups claiming to be Essenes, but viewed by scholars as having no ties to the historical group, treat Mount Carmel as having great religious significance on account of the protection it afforded to the historic Essene group.