[1][2] They were counted among the Akephaloi (leaderless ones) who split from the mainstream monophysite patriarchate of Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Zeno (474–491) on account of the Henoticon (482).
[5] During the reign of the Patriarch Alexander II (705–730), some Barsanuphians of al-Muna were converted back to orthodox monophysitism by John of Sa and others by Isaac of Samannud.
[2][6] Around the same time, an enterprising Christian civil servant received permission from Governor Qurra ibn Sharik to charge twice the normal jizya (tax) on the Barsanuphians and other schismatics (Gaianites and Julianists).
[2][10] Patriarch Mark II baptized them at the monastery of Saint Mina and consecrated them as orthodox bishops (albeit without dioceses).
[12][13] Based on a passage in Sophronius (died 638), Arieh Kofsky links them to the teachings of Barsanuphius of Gaza, rather than the otherwise unknown bishop.