An Encomium on St John the Baptist

Another full Coptic tale for you with this post! This particular text is titled “An Encomium on Saint John the Baptist, by Saint John Chrysostom.” Now was this actually written by John Chrysostom? I have read online that it’s more likely a “pseudo-” attribution. I will leave that up to you, the reader, to decide on that. But I do think the story is worth bringing to your attention and hope you enjoy it. While it is a homily, it features material from the Infancy Gospel of James (Elizabeth hiding John) and also an interesting Apocalyptic ascension text that takes a trip up to the heavens before settling into the “third heaven”.

Date range of this work would be anywhere from the fourth century up to the 10th century. Once again I am using the E.A. Wallis Budge translation, which comes from his Coptic Apocrypha work of the early 1900s. I tweaked some of the wording here and there to make it a bit more easier for the modern reader to enjoy. I also consulted the English translation by Philip L. Tite from the New Testament Apocrypha Volume 1 to clarify a few issues I had (his translation is much more modern and worth reading as well).

AN ENCOMIUM ON SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, BY SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM.

THE ENCOMIUM WHICH OUR HOLY FATHER SAINT APA JOHN, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, WHO WAS GLORIOUS IN EVERY RESPECT, THE HOLY GOLDEN-MOUTH, PRONOUNCED TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE HOLY FORERUNNER AND KINSMAN OF THE CHRIST, THAN WHOM AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BORN OF WOMEN NO GREATER HAS EVER RISEN UP, WHOM GOD EXALTED IN HONOR AND GLORY, ABOVE ALL THE SAINTS, WHO EXCELLED THE ANGELS IN PURITY (OR, HOLINESS). APA JOHN CHRYSOSTOM PRONOUNCED THIS ENCOMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE PASSAGE WHICH IS WRITTEN IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW WHEN HE EXPLAINED TO US THE MEANING OF THE WORDS WHICH ARE WRITTEN THEREIN, ‘WHAT WENT YE OUT INTO THE DESERT TO SEE ?’ IN THE PEACE OF GOD MAY HIS HOLY BLESSING COME UPON US, AND MAY WE ALL GAIN SALVATION TOGETHER. AMEN.

My beloved, I wish to declare unto you some few of the exalted words and right judgements of the holy Baptist and glorious forerunner, Saint John, the kinsman of the Christ. But I find myself in serious trouble, because my halting tongue is incapable of declaring his might and his honor in the manner which they deserve. And moreover, our holy fathers, the God-bearing (i.e. inspired) Bishops who have lived before our time, that is to say Athanasius, and Theophilus, and Cyril, and Innocent, have declared many of thine exalted words, O John the Baptist, O thou than whom among those born of women, none had arisen who is greater.

Who is there among our Fathers of olden time who has not uttered encomiastic words concerning thee, O thou priest, and the son of a priest, thou prophet, and the son of a prophet, thou virgin and martyr, who are the equal of an angel, thou companion of the True Bridegroom, the Christ, O Saint John the Baptist! Verily thy name and the remembrance of thee have become a medicine and remedy which healed sicknesses of every kind. I speak now concerning that John who fettered the tongue of his father through the act of his conception, and who again made the mouth of his father to be opened through his birth. For when Zacharias was asked, ‘What dost thou wish him to be called?’ he made a sign with his hand whereby he asked for a writing tablet, and he wrote these three letters which are wonder-worthy, namely IOTA, and ω, and ALPHA. And while he was writing, his mouth opened suddenly, and his tongue was set free, and he spoke, and he gained strength, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘John is his name.’ For in very truth the name of John is one which is worthy to be marveled at, for it is the lamp of the whole world. But my tongue halted exceedingly, and it will fail in recounting the myriads of his mighty deeds; nevertheless I desire to set out on my journey upon the sea of understanding.

Now therefore when the birthday of Herod, who is accursed, had come, the daughter of Herodias came into the presence of Herod, and she danced and pleased him and those who were reclining with him, and he promised to give unto her whatsoever she asked; and the maiden went to her mother to inform her about what had happened. And she said unto the maiden, ‘Ask for the head of John the Baptist, and let them give it to thee upon a dish’; and the Governor commanded that it should be given unto her. And he sent a scout to the prison with an order to remove the head of John, and he brought it back upon a dish; and Herod gave it to the maiden, and she took it and brought it to her mother. And his disciples went and took away his body and buried it, and they carried the report of this matter to Jesus.

Now when Jesus had heard it, he departed to a desert place, and went into it by Himself, and when the multitude heard this, they followed after Jesus. And when Jesus had seen the multitude, he took pity upon them. And when the evening had come, the disciples went unto him, saying, ‘This place is a desert. Dismiss the multitudes so that they may depart into the villages which are round about them, that they may buy for themselves that which they shall eat.’ Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Have ye nothing which I can give them to eat?’ And they said unto him, ‘We have nothing at all in this place except five barley cakes and two fishes.’

And Jesus said unto them, ‘Bring them hither.’ Then he commanded the multitudes to throw themselves down upon the grass, and he took the five cakes and the two fishes, and he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and blessed them, and broke them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitudes, and they all ate and were satisfied. And the broken pieces which remained over filled twelve baskets. Now those who ate were five thousand men, without reckoning children and women.

Now I wish, O my beloved, to describe unto you the honor which the Christ paid to John, and also what manner of love it was which he showed to him, for he was his companion and his kinsman, and how he loved him to such a degree that he fed with these five cakes and two fishes five thousand men without reckoning children and women. For the multitude was gathered together because of the lamentation for John, and Jesus wept and made lamentation for John, and he distributed alms for his sake; in as much as he was his kinsman and his companion. For this reason when the disciples had said unto him, ‘Send away the multitude that they may go and buy for themselves that which they may eat,’ He was unwilling to make them depart fasting. Now take good heed to the Scripture at this point. In the first place observe that when Jesus had heard concerning John the Baptist, he went away, and that the multitude followed after him quickly. And in the second place observe that when the compassionate and merciful Jesus had seen them, he felt deep pity for them, even like a good shepherd who had always pity for his sheep. And when the disciples asked him, saying, ‘Send away the multitude that they may go and buy for themselves that which they may eat,’ the Saviour said unto them, ‘Assuredly not,’ and thought, ‘What manner of thanks shall I receive from my kinsman if these people, who have come unto me on account of him, are put to inconvenience in this way? If they go away fasting as they are at present, they will sink from exhaustion by the wayside.’ As the Patriarch Joseph distributed alms because of the death of Jacob his father, even so did Jesus, and he distributed alms for the sake of his kinsman John. Moreover, all classes of people have always been accustomed to distribute alms and gifts of food in charity on behalf of any of their kinsfolk when so ever any one of them died.

Now I wish to declare unto you another high and deep purpose also. The holy Evangelist said, ‘John heard of the works of the Christ, now he was in prison, and he called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are thou he who is to come or are we to expect another?” ‘

Now at that time he had not healed the multitude, and he said unto the men whom John had sent to question him, ‘Depart ye and declare unto John the things which ye see, and the things which ye hear, namely, that the blind see, and the lame walk, those who are dead rise up, and to the poor the Gospel is preached; and blessed is he who shall not be offended in me. I am He who graciously bestowed thee upon Zacharias thy father and Elizabeth thy mother. I am He who came unto thee while thou was in the womb of Elizabeth thy mother. And when I myself was in the womb of Mary, my mother, I saluted thee, and thou did leap therein. Again, it was I who came unto thee at the tenth hour of the night on the eleventh day of the month Tόbe (December 27 – January 25); I received baptism at thy holy hands. Verily, O John, since thou has been held to be worthy to baptize me, and art he who was worthy to attain to this honor, thou has surpassed a noble in heaven who enjoys every kind of honor. I am He who was to come, and it was I who received baptism at thy hands. I am He who shall take away the sin of the world. Thou, O John, art he whom I have chosen, and I and my Father who is in heaven, and the Holy Spirit. I have sent thee as my forerunner, and thou are he who makes a way before me. Moreover, speak thou unto the multitude saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom which is in the heavens has drawn night, – that of which man thinketh not,” even as he said, “Behold, I will do a work in your days, a marvelous work, and when ye shall hear thereof, ye will not believe.”‘ And Jesus said unto the men who were sent by John to enquire of Him, “Depart ye, and declare the things which you see, and the things which you hear, namely, the blind see, the lame walk, those who are dead rise up, and to the poor the Gospel is preached. And blessed is he who shall not be offended through me.”

Now when these enquirers had departed he began to speak unto the multitude concerning John, saying, ‘What did ye go out into the desert to see? Was it a reed, with the wind moving it? But what did ye go out to see? Was it a man arrayed in soft apparel? Behold, those who wear soft apparel are in the houses of kings. But what did ye go out to see? Was it a prophet? Yea, I tell you that he is more than a prophet. For thus runneth that which is written concerning him: “Behold, I will send my angel before Thee, and he shall make straight thy way.” Amen I say unto you that among those who have been born of woman none greater than John the Baptist has risen up; nevertheless, he that is less than he is greater than he in the Kingdom which is in the heavens.’

Now it is necessary for us to explain this passage to you, for very many of those who are not strong in the Scriptures in thinking about it say, ‘Was it really a reed moving in the wind, or was it not?’ Now every tree on the earth, whether it be palm tree, or fig tree, or sycamore tree, or the acacia tree, even to the grass of the field, is, as long as it is growing, moved by every wind, either to this side or to the other. Does not every simple person know this, and more especially every one who is educated? But that reed about which the Saviour spoke was the wind instrument which is placed in the places of contest and which sent forth so loud a sound, there being no one near them, that when those who are at a distance hear them they say, ‘What has happened?, for the speaking reed is sounding?’ And straightway they gather together to see what has happened, and they find out that so-and-so the son of so-and-so has been the victor in a contest, and that the name of so-and-so the son of so-and-so is written down in the gymnasium. It was for this reason that this wind instrument sounded in the place wherein the prophet was prophesying; and all the people gathered together that they might receive instruction. For this very reason it was that the Saviour said, “What was it that ye went out into the desert to see? Was it a reed with the wind moving it? But what was it that ye went out into the desert to see? Was it a man arrayed in soft apparel? Behold, those who wear soft apparel are in the houses of kings.’ Behold, O my beloved, I have explained this question to you, and now I will, by the will of God, expound the following tale to you.

Now at the time when the cataclysm of waters increased upon the earth in the days of Noah, the trees and the waters of the flood rolled over the body of Adam, and they carried it away and deposited it in the midst of Jerusalem, and the waters of the earth flowed over it and covered it. And when the Saviour had come and he was walking about that place, and was teaching, saying, ‘If any man serveth me, my Father shall pay him honor; My Father, deliver me from this hour’ – at the very moment when the Saviour said these things the toe-nail of his right foot struck the head of Adam. And thus far is the story.

Now there is very much benefit to be derived by us from this story, but this is not the moment for us to enjoy it, because the banquet of the kinsman of the True Bridegroom, the Christ, is set before us. For if thou wilt consider thou wilt see that there are multitude of men who shall cry out to the Christ in Amente (the underworld), saying, ‘Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy upon us.’ And thou wilt hear also many cries of ‘Lord, let Thy strength rise up! Come thou to deliver us, O our good God.’ And thou, O man-loving Christ, through the multitude of thy compassion, does draw everyone to Thyself this day. Thou has redeemed those who were in Amente from the beginning. Thou has drawn all sinners to thee in life. The harlot thou did make a virgin, and did forgive her sin. The thief thou did take into Paradise. The publican thou did make an evangelist. The persecutor, Paul, thou did make an evangelist. Thou did redeem those who were bound. Thou did lift up those who had fallen. Thou did gather together those who were scattered. Thou did cry out unto everyone with thy mouth of God, ‘Come ye unto Me, everyone who is weary, and is over burdened, and I will give you rest.’

And behold also this day wherein thou does command thy holy Apostles, and does say unto them, ‘Ye shall begin to preach from Jerusalem even unto the ends of the world. Ye are the witnesses of the things which the Jews did unto me. Go ye, preach ye to them the salvation of the remission of sins. Do not thrust away sinners from you, but receive ye them in penitence. To the publicans give repentance. As for the harlots, forgive ye them their sins.’ O my beloved, observe ye the glory wherewith the Christ paid exceedingly great honor to his kinsman, the holy forerunner, John the Baptist. He paid honor to him in heaven, but he paid far greater honor to him upon the earth.

For it came to pass that when our Lord Jesus was born on earth in the rest-house in Bethlehem, the slaughter of the little children by the hands of Herod the Wicked took place. Moreover, when the Archangel Gabriel had warned Joseph in a dream, Joseph took the young child Jesus, with His mother, and they departed into Egypt. Then, Elizabeth having seized John in trepidation, she fled with him into the desert. Moreover, when the officers of Herod were pursuing her and her child in order to slay him, she turned her eyes behind her and saw them coming close to her. Now when she and her son arrived at a rock in the mountains, she cried out saying, ‘O rock, admit me inside thee, and my son’; and straightway the rock opened its mouth, and when she reached the rock it received her, and it became unto her a monastery for meditation and a place of quiet wherein to dwell. When so ever the need arose for her to go out to any place, the rock used to open of itself, and after she had gone out to close of itself; through the dispensation of God it was a place which became large for their going out and for their coming in. When so ever they asked for anything which they wanted, they found it there. If, for instance, it was locusts of wild honey which they needed, they came in in this manner. And the door of their sleeping chamber used to open by itself and to close by itself. Now if the days were the days of summer, the air always felt cool to them, and the heat never weighed heavily upon them. If the days were the days of winter, the air was always warm therein, and the cold never caused them any suffering. And the same thing happened in the case of the wild animals which lived in the region round about them, and up to the day of the showing forth of Saint John on the Jordan, they never harassed Elizabeth.

Moreover, let us return to our subject and describe unto you the praises and the honors which God most graciously bestowed upon his beloved one John, according to the statements that we have found in the ancient manuscripts which the Apostles wrote and deposited in the Library of the Holy City Jerusalem. Now it happened to me to be in Jerusalem, and while I was staying in the church, there was an old man there, a God-loving presbyter, and he had authority therein; and I remained in that place in order that I might assist at the celebration of the festival of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ, and at the festival of the Holy Cross. Now I went through the books, and I had great enjoyment in this, and I found a little old volume among them which concerned the Apostles wherein it was written thus:

And it came to pass that we the Apostles were gathered together to our Saviour upon the Mount of Olives, after that he had made himself to rise again from the dead. And he spoke unto us and commanded us, saying: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach unto the people thereof the Gospel of the Kingdom.’ And he spoke unto us concerning John the Baptist, and the honors which he had bestowed upon him in the heavens. And we said unto him, ‘What ought we to do to inform ourselves rightly about thy beloved one, thy kinsman John? Because thou has testified unto us, saying, I will bestow upon him the third heaven, and the untarnished gifts, and the good things which are therein instead of the blood which he poured out for me. Now therefore, O our Lord, inform us certainly concerning him, and instruct us about that heaven which Thou has graciously bestowed upon John, thy beloved one, and the good things which thou has prepared therein. Instruct us also about that same John concerning whom thou has said unto us, there is no one in the heavens who shall be compared unto him for the glory and the honors which my Father have bestowed upon him.’

And at that moment our Saviour commanded, and brought down from heave a cloud of light, and he mounted upon it, and he commanded us the Apostles also to mount upon it with him. And he brought us up into the first heaven, and afterwards into the second heaven, and then he ascended to the third heaven, but he did not let us enter therein, and he carried us up to the fourth heaven, and to the fifth heaven, and to the sixth heaven, and then to the seventh heaven, but he would not let us enter therein. Now after he had shown us all these things, he brought us again into the third heaven, and we marveled at its beauty, and its splendid decoration, and its great glory. And we saw John the Baptist, and Zacharias his father, and Elizabeth his mother, arrayed in garments of great splendor, studded with jewels made of real kokkos, and stones of various colors. Then our Saviour made us to stand before John, and he made John to stand in our midst, with Zacharias his father on his right hand, and Elizabeth his mother on his left hand. As for us, the Apostles, he made us to stand in order, beginning with our father Peter, and ending with Matthias.

And our Saviour walked in front of us, and he showed unto us the whole heaven, and he showed us the good things and the enjoyments which are prepared therein, and the untarnished gifts which he had bestowed upon his beloved John, so that he might bestow them on everyone who celebrated upon the earth the festival of the Commemoration of John, who was his kinsman and his forerunner. I John, the brother of the Lord, who relate these things, swear unto you that I will not hide from you any one of the good things which I saw, or any of the things which were to be enjoyed, and which were prepared in the third heaven, and which God had bestowed graciously upon Saint John, in order that he might give them to every one who kept the festival of his commemoration upon the earth.

At that time Paul, and Luke, and Mark were also with us. And afterwards the Good Saviour called to the Seven Archangels, from Michael the greatest of the Archangels, and the General of the forces of heaven, to Sedekiel, and he called unto us, the Apostles, one by one in turn, according to our names, from our father Peter, the greatest of the Apostles, to Mark the Evangelist, and he said unto us, ‘O My Archangels and holy servants, O My Apostles, ye were witnesses of my birth, and of my passion, and of my crucifixion, and in like manner I make you to be witnesses again. Behold, I give the third heaven to John the Baptist, my companion and my kinsman. And moreover ye shall preach throughout the whole world that every man who shall celebrate the commemoration of this my beloved one John on the earth, either by making an offering, or by alms, or by gifts of charity which are given to the poor, or to his shrine in his name, or who shall write in a book an account of his life in commemoration of him, and shall place it in a church, or who shall dress a table in thy shrine with noble coverings, thou, O John, shall take them into the third heaven, which I have bestowed upon thee, and thou shall array them in celestial apparel.

‘I say unto thee, O my beloved John, who was held to be worthy to baptize me with thy holy hand, if any one shall make an offering of first-fruits to thy shrine in thy name, or if any one shall give food to a hungry person in thy name, or shall give to a thirsty person to drink in thy name, or shall clothe a man who is naked in thy name, I will not allow them to be punished in Amente, but thou shall take them into life for ever. And I will make my angels to clothe them with their wings of light, and I will bestow upon them the good things which are in my kingdom. My Father shall bless thy right hand, which thou did lay on my head, my tongue shall bless thy mouth and thy tongue, wherewith thou did say, “Behold the Lamb of God who shall take away the sin of the world”; for I indeed am He. Amen, I say unto thee, O my kinsman John, that I will not punish in Amente any man who shall commemorate thee upon the earth for ever, neither shall his punishment extend to the river of fire which every man must pass over, whether he be righteous or whether he be a sinner. Behold, I will also bestow upon him this for through thee – the use of the ferry-boat on this river of fire, which is a boat of gold; whosoever shall celebrate thy commemoration upon earth thou shall transport across that river of fire in this boat.’

Then we, the Apostles, said unto our Lord, ‘How many stadia across is the sea of that river of fire? Inform us so that we may be able to teach men how terrible a thing it is.’ Our Saviour said unto us, ‘I will inform you concerning the measure thereof, and the measure of the boat of gold, which I have given unto my beloved John. The sea of the river of fire is thirty waves deep from shore to shore, and from crest to crest thirty stadia. And I have given the boat of gold to John my kinsman, for the passage over the river, so that he may be able to transport therein those who shall celebrate his commemoration upon the earth, if it be only by breaking a little bread, and the pouring out of a little cold water. And when they come to the end of the shore where I am wont to baptize them in the river of fire, when any one who has celebrated the commemoration of John shall come to be baptized, the waters of the river of fire shall become exactly like the waters of a bath, and like the hot water which a man applied to his body in the place wherein he washed himself; even so shall the river of life be. Therefore every man who shall celebrate thy commemoration upon earth, O John, my companion and my kinsman, whether with an offering, or with a gift of first-fruits, or with any gift whatsoever, which they shall give to thy shrine in remembrance of thy holy name, I command thee to transport him across the river of fire in the boat of gold which I have bestowed upon thee. And thou shall take them into the third heaven, and shall make them to enjoy the good things which are prepared there and which abide for ever.’

And it came to pass that when our Good Saviour had said these things unto us, we rejoiced exceedingly at the great honors which God had bestowed upon John the Baptist. And again he said unto us, ‘Come ye and I will teach you concerning the Paradise of the third heaven.’ And he made us to walk through a meadow of asphodel in that place which produced fruits of all sorts, each according to its kind, and they exhaled sweet odors. And there were there likewise meadows with gently running streams, and all the trees which were in that place yielded fruit, each according to its kind, and they were all covered there with from their roots to their crowns, and there were asphodel, and cinnamon-trees, and amomon, and mastic, and mouskhaton, and they all exhaled sweet odors, and each one was the choicest of its kind.

And Thomas said unto the Saviour, ‘Lord, behold Thou has taught us concerning all the trees which have a sweet smell in Paradise, and the gently running streams, and the palm-trees; tell us now what quantity of dates each palm beared, and how large are the fruits which each tree yielded, and how many bunches of grapes grow on each vine.’

The Saviour said, ‘I will hide nothing from you about the things concerning which you have questioned me. As regarded the vine concerning the fruit of which you have asked, there are ten thousand bunches of grapes upon it, and each bunch will produce six metrites of wine. As regarded the palm-trees in Paradise, each cluster yields ten thousand dates, and each cluster is as long as a man is high. So likewise is it in the matter of the fig-trees; each shoot produces ten thousand figs, and if three men were to partake of one fig, each of them would be satisfied. On each ear of the wheat which is in Paradise there are ten thousand grains, and each grain produces six measures of flour. And the cedars also are on the same scale, each tree produces ten thousand nuts, and is of a very great height. And the apple tree and the thourakion-tree are of the same height; there are ten thousand apples on each shoot, and if three men were to partake of one apple, each of them would be satisfied.

‘These are the good things which I have prepared for every one who shall celebrate the commemoration of my beloved one, and my kinsman John, upon the earth. Blessed is every one who shall be worthy to inherit these good things, which the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard thereof, nor has the idea thereof entered into the heart of man. These are the things which God has prepared for those who love him, and those who love John, his companion and his kinsman, to whose position and honor in the heavens and upon the earth no man, no, not one, has succeeded, for he was held to be worthy to baptize the Son of God with his holy hands. And he saw the Holy Trinity: the Son was in his hands when he baptized him; the Voice of the Father he heard saying, “Thou art my Son, my beloved one, in whom my wish shall be fulfilled“; and the Holy Spirit came down from heaven, and rested upon his head in the form of a dove.’

And again Peter spoke unto the Saviour, saying, ‘Our Lord and our God! Show us what is the signification of these oars and these lamps.’ The Saviour said, ‘There is a lamp to every oar, and there are seven hollows, to each lamp seven hollows, which are filled and give light. Whosoever shall light a lamp in the shrine of Saint John, or before his image, shall be ferried over the river of fire by these oars in the boat of gold which I have bestowed upon John my beloved. And these lamps shall burn before them, and shall light them until they have passed over the roads of darkness, and shall take them into the third heaven, which I have given as an appanage to my beloved one John, and they shall inherit the good things which are therein for ever.’

And when the good Saviour had said unto us these things, he mounted upon a cloud, and he commanded us to mount upon it with him, and he brought us down, and set us on the Mount of Olives. Then he stood up and prayed with us, and he said unto us, ‘Peace be with you.’ And when he had said these things unto us, he went up into heaven with great glory, and the angels were singing hymns to him.

Verily, O my beloved, there is none who can be compared with John the Baptist in the heavens, or on the earth, and there is no one who is more exalted than he in glory, according to what the mouth of the Christ, which cannot lie, said, ‘Among those who have been born of women no one has arisen who is greater than John the Baptist.’ Behold, ye know the glory and the honor which God has bestowed upon John the Baptist. Devote ye yourselves then diligently to charity, and to the giving of alms and offerings in his holy name. Ye know, O my brethren, that the life of man upon the earth is a vain thing. If thou wishes to be saved and to inherit the life which is for ever, make haste, redeem thy sins by alms and oblations, and wipe out thine iniquity by means of acts of loving kindness to the poor, and to those who are needy, so that thou may enjoy thyself with the good things which are in the habitation of joy and gladness. And if thou has committed sin, turn thou, repent, and he shall forgive thee thy sins. For God is the Compassionate, and the Merciful One, and he is a lover of mankind, and he is wont to show his mercy upon those whos hall turn unto him. For he spoke by the prophet Ezekiel, saying, ‘I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he should turn himself away from his evil ways, and should repent and live.’ And again he said, ‘When the wicked man has turned himself away from his evil, and he does righteousness, I will not remember his iniquity which he has committed,’ saith the Lord, ‘but he shall live by reason of the righteousness which he does.’ And again he saith in another place, ‘Turn ye yourselves to me, O ye sons who have wandered afar off, and I will heal your wounds.’ And again he saith in another place, ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.’ Ye know, O my beloved, that charity is good, and that alms-giving is a choice gift; let therefore no man omit to do acts of charity and give alms to the poor, and to those who are needy, according to his power. And ye must also make offerings to the church in the name of the saints. And by means of all these things let us give glory to God and to his holy forerunner, John the Baptist, the virgin, and martyr, and the kinsman of our Lord Jesus the Christ, who has bestowed upon him great honors, to whom be all glory and all honor, which are his due, and to his good Father, and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever! Amen.

-bP

Featured artwork is a Byzantine icon from circa 1350.

Mary Magdalene in the Psalms of the Lord Heracleides

Earlier this year I presented a Manichaean Psalm that mentioned Salome. Now I will present you a Psalm involving Mary Magdalene. This Psalm comes from the collection titled “Psalms of the Lord Hercleides”. These are dated back to around the mid 4th century. I am pulling this translation from the 1938 book “A Manichaean Psalm Book: Part II” by Charles Robert Cecil Allberry. And as I mentioned in the previous post, this is the only English translation that I am aware of, with no modern re-printing (come on academia!!). There are parts missing and will be noted as …… While the first part relates to Magdalene (and a few other bits scattered about), I decided to include the full Psalms of Heracleides as it is a very good and long read! I like how it describes the apostles and other members of the Jesus group. There is also an interesting section relating to the Harrowing of Hades. Such a fascinating piece of work! 

Mariam, Mariam, know me: do not touch me.

Stem the tears of thy eyes and know me that I am thy master.  Only touch me not, for I have not yet seen the face of my Father.

Thy God was not stolen away, according to the thoughts of thy littleness: thy God did not die, rather he, mastered death.

I am not the gardener: I have given, I have received the ....... I appeared not to thee, until I saw thy tears and thy grief .... for me.

Cast this sadness away from thee and do this service: be a messenger for me to these wandering orphans.

Make haste rejoicing, and go unto the Eleven.  Thou shalt find them gathered together on the bank of the Jordan.

The traitor persuaded them to be fishermen as they were at first and to lay down their nets with which they caught men unto life.

Say to them, 'Arise, let us go, it is your brother that calls you'.  If they scorn my brotherhood, say to them, 'It is your master'.

If they disregard my mastership, say to them, 'It is your Lord'.  Use all skill and advice until thou hast brought the sheep to the shepherd.

If thou seest that their wits are gone, draw Simon Peter unto thee; say to him, 'Remember what I uttered between thee and me.

'Remember what I said between thee and me in the Mount of Olives: "I have something to say, I have none to whom to say it".'

Rabbi, my master, I will serve thy commandment in the joy of my whole heart.

I will not give rest to my heart, I will not give sleep to my eyes, I will not give rest to my feet until I have brought the sheep to the fold.

Glory to Mariam, because she hearkened to her master, she served his commandment in the joy of her whole heart.

Glory and victory to the soul of the blessed Mary.


I have long been calling thee, my Saviour, until thou shouldest answer me.

Thou hast disregarded me not, or I could not have borne thy....

Thou dost bear up indeed ...... my heart has fainted for mankind.

Where is the boiling of thy mercies, that thou hast suffered me to be long in my prayer?

If my voice has reached thee, then how has thy mercy tarried?

If I have turned to thee a little, thou oughtest to turn to me much.

............  to thee: O pure one, avenge me.

I have wearied of calling thee: O doorkeeper, open the door to me.  I will not stem my tears, O powerful one, unless thou wipe away my sin.  If my offering is pure, receive it into thy ....  If they bring disaster upon me, O righteous one, set me up.

Give a commandment concerning me that none may wrong me.  Bind me to thy guard because of the thief that is in the house with me.  Let thy mercy be a spark and catch the chaff that is in me.  If I finish my course, O powerful one, crown me.

Take me up upon thy wings; O eagle, fly with me to the skies.  Set my white robe upon me: take me in as a gift to thy Father.  Glory to my Saviour, the mercy that flows forth from the Father.  Victory to the soul of the blessed Mary.


Call to the buildings, saying: Come, build quickly.

Build quickly, ye builders, for the time is ripe upon us.

Lo, we have laid out the foundation: Christ is the .....

He that has gold for the building, let him build virginity.    Call.

He that has silver for the building, let him build continence.   Call.

He that has jewels, let him build prayers and ....    Call.

Build not anything upon the building ..... burn it.    Call.

Build not stubble and grass and eat and drink in the name of the Lord.    Call.

Build not reeds upon the building and glory in the name of God.   Call.

Thou findest the reed smooth, its inside being wasted and hollow.   Call.

Do not adorn thyself outwardly and be found wasted in thy inward parts.   Call.

Build not wood upon the building and receive the seal of the cross.   Call.

Receive not the seal outwardly, while the thief seizes all the houses that are built by night, the day .... forth.

The night is the time of the body, the day is the going forth. 

In those that thou buildest by day shalt thou lodge.

If thou hast set thyself to build, let the measure come first for thee.

If thou buildest with no measure in thy hand, thy building will go up crooked.   Call.

The building is the commandment, the measure is the profession.

Be not drunk, sleep not, lest thou fall from the building.

Build thy house and give it stories, roof it and make it perfect.   Call.

The commandment is the knowledge, the roof is the love of the Father.

Glory and honour to my Saviour, the foundation ineradicable.  Peace and life be there to the soul of the blessed Mary.


Amen, the Father, Amen, the Son: let us answer to the Amen.

Amen, Amen, Amen, the holy Spirit, that makes revelation: let us answer to the Amen.

Amen, ..... thou the Father of all the Lights.   Let us.

Thou endurest, thou shalt endure also; the universe shall pass away, but thou shalt not pass away.   Let us.

Thou art, thou art, thou art: thy years shall not fail.

Holy, holy, holy to thee, O Amen, King of the Aeons.

Amen, pleasant ships, that will bring us to our harbour.

Amen, sweet dew, that gives sweetness to all fruits.

Amen, sun that goes not down, lord of all places of rising.

Amen, moon that fills the measure, yet never wanes.  Let us.

Amen, perfect day, wherein there is not night.

Amen, king that wears the crown, that endures in his kingdom.  Let us.

Amen, holy God, that is garlanded in his Aeons.

Amen, Light on high, that shines forth in his beloved ones.

Amen, strong power, that gives strength to the elements.

Amen, true Wisdom, that teaches souls.

Amen, holy Spirit, that gives life also to Spirits.

Amen, beloved Son, that gave himself to death for us.

Amen, gentle Father, that embraces us in his Love.

Amen, merciful Mother, that gives her milk to us.

The Father, the Son, the holy Spirit, -- this is the perfect Church.   Let us.

When I utter Amen the doors of the skies open.

O psalmist of the sky, Amen to whom they make music.  They that embrace..........

The dozen of Apostles were a garland to Amen.

Let us go to the Mount of Olives that I may tell thee of the glory of Amen.

The Dozen of Apostles were a garland to Amen.

Amen answered them, he told them of his wonders.

Amen, I was seized; Amen again, I was not seized.

Amen, I was judged; Amen again, I was not judged.

Amen, I was crucified; Amen again, I was not crucified.

Amen, I was pierced; Amen again, I was not pierced.

Amen, I suffered; Amen again, I did not suffer.

Amen, I am in my Father; Amen again, my Father is in me.

But thou desirest the fulfillment of Amen: I mocked the world, they could not mock me.

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen again, the four-faced God.

Glory and honour to Amen, the Father of Greatness.

Blessing and holiness to Jesus, the son of Amen.

Victory to the holy Spirit that has taught us of Amen, and to his holy Elect.  Peace be to the soul of the blessed Mary, Theona.


There were ten virgins, watching for the Bridegroom.

There were five wise, there were five foolish.    There were.

The five foolish went to the five wise.   There were.

'Give us a little oil for our lamps, for they have gone out, until our Lord passes in.'   There were.

They said, 'No, no, no; our own does not suffice for us.'   There were.

'Go to the market-place and buy oil for your lamps.'

So they went and came, the Bridegroom passed in.

They came, they knocked; the Bridegroom did not open the door.   There were.

He said, 'Go, away with you; I do not know you.'

'You received my name, but you did not do my works.'

'Depart far from me, you workers of iniquity.'

The grey-haired old men, - the little children instruct them.

They that are six years old instruct them that are sixty years old.

A pear-stone is Jesus in the Gospel.

An unshakeable foundation is Peter the Apostle.

A mind strong in how much is Andrew the twin.

A ship ...... is John the Virgin.

A brother ..... in how much is James, his brother also, and he died beneath the storm of stone.

An enduring one is Philip, he being in the land of the Anthropophagi.   There were.

The sign of freedom from care is the old Bartholomew, for he does not take the bread of the day with him.

A sheep .... up to this day is Simon the Canaanite.

A merchant that finds gain is Thomas in the land of India.    There were.

An obedient disciple is Alphaeus, the gentle.

An accuser of God is Judas, the lover of money.

But a good end is Matthew the tax-gatherer.

The axe of the Law is Paul the Apostle.

A net-caster is Mariam, hunting for the eleven others that were wandering.   There were.

A joyous servant is Martha her sister also.

Obedient sheep are Salome and Arsenoe.

A despiser of the body is Thecla, the lover of God.

A shamer of the serpent is Maximilla the faithful.

A receiver of good news is Iphidama her sister also, imprisoned in the prisons.

A champion in the fight is Aristobula the enduring one.

A giver of Light to others is Eubula the noble woman drawing the heart of the perfect.

A ..... that loves her master is Drusiane, the lover of God, shut up for fourteen days, questioning her Apostle.

........ who was found in Mygdonia in the land of India.

A north wind blowing upon us is our Lord Mani, that we may put out with him and sail to the Land of Light.

Let us also, my brethren, put oil in our lamps until our Lord passes in.

Let us not slumber and sleep until our Lord takes us across, his garland upon his head, his palm in his hand, wearing the robe of his glory, and we go within the bride-chamber and reign with him, all of us together, and the soul of the blessed Mary. Amen.    There were.

The Son of the living God, the physician of souls, come, sing to him, the Saviour of Spirits.

The Father who is in the Son, the Son who is in the Father.   Come.

The tower of the kingdom that is over the treasure of the Father.

The straight way that leads in to life.

The perfect day of Light, that of the sun that does not set.

The holy bread of life that is come from the skies.

The sweet spring of water that leaps unto life.

The true vine, that of the living wine.

The joyous branch of the tree, that is laden with fruit.

The new plant of God, that of the fruits of life.

The joyous bridegroom of his Church.

The shepherd of the sheep that wanders in the desert of the world.

He passed the powers by taking their likeness.

He mocked the principalities by likening himself to them.

The powers and the dominions - he darkened them all.

He did these things on high, floating in the skies.

He did ..... likeness of the flesh, the vesture of .... God became man, he went about in all the world.

He received a man's likeness, a slave's vesture.

He chose his disciples, the beginning of his fold.

He traversed Judea, looking for stones daily.

He went to the shores of the sea, seeking pearls.

First he found Peter, the foundation of his Church.

He found Andrew, the first holy statue.

He found John, the flower of virginity.

James he found, the spring of the new wisdom.

He found Philip, who is great in endurance.

He found Bartholomew, the rose of Love.

He found the other Thomas, the sweet smell that went to India.

The other James he found, the true brother of the Lord.

Simon the Canaanite he found, full of zeal for life.

He found Levi, the throne of faith.

He gave the fragment to Judas, he took even the little Light.

He kept the wolf from the fold, he set the trap on him.

He chose Mariam, the Spirit of Wisdom.

He gave life to Martha, the breath of discretion.

He summoned Salome, the grace of peace.

He called Arsenoe, he set her in the garland of Truth.

He despoiled Jerusalem, he took her pearls.

He revived the dead from the death of their sins.

He opened the eyes that were closed at the time of the man born blind.

He caused the ears of the unhearing soul to hear.

He planted his shoots in the field of his Elect.

He sowed the seed in the soil of his men of knowledge.

The voice of his cry went to the world.

His sheepfold filled the corners of the world.

The kings that heard put their crowns down.

The first-born of the earth cast their garlands from them.

The rich ones of the earth became poor for his sake.

...... gold and the ..... behind them, they went their way.

..... stone, the true ..... they cast them away, they ran.

The possessors of fields and orchards left them, they wasted.

... women and the children, they ...., they went, they left them.

They that rejoice, that eat and drink, - they withered through fasting.

They that glory in their beauty gladly let it decay.

They took up the cross upon them, they went from village to village.

They went into the roads hungry, with no bread in their hands.

They walked in the heat thirsting, they took no water to drink.

No gold, no silver, no money, did they take with them on their way.

They went into villages, not knowing anybody.

They were welcomed for his sake, they were loved for his name's sake.

Some hated them and cast them out because of him.

They prayed for their enemies, they blessed them that curse them.

They were struck in the face, they turned their other cheek.

They were delivered to the courts, they laughed at the judges.

They were condemned to death, they bore it rejoicing.

They were exposed to hunger and thirst, they lived on his word.

They were stripped of their bodies, they set his light upon them.

They were made to go up on the fire, he made them cool with his dews.

They were hanged to the cross, he took them to Paradise.

Envy filled the scribes, they rose against the shepherd.

They persuaded the traitor, they gave silver for Him.

He accused him before them, they thinking that he is a man.

They judged him among them, in the midst of them all.

They delivered him to the judge, sin was not found in him.

They brought his death upon themselves and his victorious blood.

They hanged him to the cross at the sixth hour of the day.

They went that they might kill him, they made him a king.

They put a garland on his head because he humbled their kings.

They put a cloak upon him because he stripped their authorities.

They put a robe of purple upon him because he destroyed their desire.

They put a reed in his hand because he wrote of their sins.

They made him drink vinegar and myrrh for the sign of their grief.

They pierced him with the spear because he destroyed their ....

The sun withdrew his light, it wore the athalia.

He disguised himself from those murderers, he was caught up from their presence.

He fettered them of the sky by the fear of his light.

He caught them of the air by the power of his angels.

He bound them of the earth by the marvel of his cross.

He demolished their temple, he rent their veil also.

He dug up its stones, searching for its demons.

He opened the doors that were closed by his resurrection.

The doors and bars of the men of Hades he broke.

He shone forth with his Light upon the Darkness that is without light.

A new Light was seen beneath the earth.

His trumpet summoned the multitude of his armies.

He escaped from death in the midst of his host.

He saved the prisoners that were shut up in death.

Death sought in him, it found nothing belonging to it.

It found not flesh and blood, the things of which it eats.

It found not bone and sinew, which it consumes daily.

It found not its likeness in him - the fire, the lust.

A figure is what it found, like a mask.

It grieved, it wept, because of the deception that came to pass.

He left them in their shame, he went up victorious.

He broke the sepulchres, the ancient tombs.

He revived first the Righteous, he took them with him to his Father.

He sat on the right hand of his Father among the Living.

..... me in thee, my Saviour, my God.

I will preach thy words, making music in thy glory.

Have mercy on my poverty, have compassion upon my sins.

Teach me the way to life that I may come to thee rejoicing.

I will dwell in thy Aeons, thy bride-chambers of Light.

Hearken to my cry, hear my prayer.

Glory to thee, my God, and thy Father on high.

Victory and a garland be there given to the soul of Mary.


Gather and come, O sons of man, and hear the Envoy that was sent with the news of the skies.

Thou camest forth, being gathered: thou camest forth, they being gathered unto thee.  Tell us the news of the skies.

Thou camest forth, the Aeons being gathered; thou camest forth, they being gathered unto thee.  Tell the news.

Awake, ye that slumber and sleep in the .... that you may be told the news.

Lo, the news-bearer has been sent with the news of the Land of Light to tell us the news of the skies.

He was sent, he came hurrying and rejoicing to the First Man, that he might tell him the news.

He came and knocked at the gates and cried, 'Open quickly that I may tell you the news of the skies.'

'Rise up, O First Man, open thy gates that are shut that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First man, arouse thy beloved ones, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, sound, O trumpet of peace, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, gather the host of the Gods, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, spread the cry of the good news, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, set in order the fragments of the tower that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, lead back the host to its city, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O good shepherd, take the lamb from the mouth of the wolf, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Who art thou, for my doors are shut?  Give a sign that I may open to thee and thou tell me the news.'

'Who are thou, that I may open to thee?  For I am guarding the tower .... that thou mayest tell me the news.'

'I am the son of the son of the Father, the son of the Father has sent me to tell thee the news.'

'Open, open quickly, open the gates that are shut, that the news may be told to thee.'

As the gates were about to open, he was found inside the door, that he might tell him the news of the skies.

The First Man found him at his side, he rejoiced and said to him, 'Tell me the news.'

'What does my Father do, the Father of the Lights? ..... outside him.'   Tell me the news.

'What do the twelve Aeons do, whom I left surrounding the Father?'   Tell me the news.

'How is the Living Air, the breath of life that surrounds the Father?'   Tell me the news.

'The Great Spirit of the Land of Light, the .... of all the Aeons.'   Tell me the news.

'The Land of Light, the house of the Father, the bride-chamber of all the Aeons.'   Tell me the news.

'The walls that I left firmly established, the watch-tower men that guard them.'   Tell the news.

'What does the Mother of the Living do, whom I left, and her brethren also?'  Tell the news.

The First Man rejoices asking: he said to him, 'Tell the news.'

And the Call answered again: 'I came forth, they being gathered, I came forth, the Gods rejoicing, Lo, this is the news of the skies.'

'I came forth, they being gathered; I came forth, they being gathered unto me.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came forth, the Father being gathered; the Aeons being gathered unto the Father.'  Lo, this is the news.

'I came forth, the Aeons being gathered, being a garland about the Father.'  Lo.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, he being in the bride-chamber of the Land of Light, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the Aeons of the Aeons playing music to the Father of the Lights, that I might tell news.'

'I was sent, the harp-players being gathered, singing unto the Father, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the air rejoicing, being gathered, surround the Father, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the bride-chamber rejoicing, the Land of Light, the house of the Father.'   Lo, this is the news of the skies.

'I was sent, the Mother watching, her brethren gathered unto her.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the feast being spread, the good feast surround the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, gladness surrounding him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father being gathered, being in the dwelling of the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, the Maidens surrounding him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father being gathered, the joyful ones singing to him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the harps being in their hands, they playing to the Father of the Lights.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the pipes sounding in the mooring-places.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the sea being calm, the .... of the .... being drawn.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the ships coming to port, the .... being very secure.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the city being calm, the citizens rejoicing and being glad.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the walls being firmly established, the watch-tower men guarding them.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Intelligence guarding the Father, the joy of the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Reason guarding the Faith, the Aeons surround the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Thought guarding the Perfection, the breath of life which surrounds the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Counsel guarding the Endurance, carrying life to all the Aeons.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Intention being the foundation and base to the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came from the house of joy; I have brought joy for you as I come.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came from the house of plenty; I have brought plenty as I come to you.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the Mother looking for thee, her brethren also being there with her.'   Lo, this is the news.

'Let us go, they await thee, they are at the border, they expect thee.'   Lo.

'Lo, God has whole come: do thou call, he will answer thee.'   Lo.

'They are laden with garlands and palms to give to thee, the captain.'   Lo.

'Tell me the news, arm thy loved ones, they garlanded host.'

'I will take the news of all thy Aeons and go with it and thy son and take up the news.'

'His host is fast established, he holds the governors of the Land of Darkness.'   Lo, this is the news.

'The Air is set over the smoke: its hosts are bound, they are fettered.'   Lo, this is the news.

'The Wind guards the king of the storm: his host is bound, it is fettered.'   Take the news.

'The Light is set over the king of the Darkness: his host is bound, it is fettered.'   Take the news.

'Lo, the Waters have shut in the king of the inundation of death.'   Take the news.

'The maiden, the Living Fire, she is become mistress over the Land of Darkness.'   Take the news.

'Lo, we have laid waste the Land of Darkness: we are waiting for thee with the garland.'   Take the news.

'We have bought the dens of the hungry ones, we took their land for five loaves.'   Take the news.

'We gave the water, they drank, they were drunk, they sold the wages of their ......'    Take the news.

'The robe of Light was set upon them, it was a bond and a shackle on them.'   Take the news.

'They lusted after the breath of the wind, it was a fetter on their neck.'   Take the news.

'They smelt the breath of the air, it was death to them all.'   Take up the news.

'Let us go, they await thee: the Light has surrounded the Darkness.'

'Let us go, they await thee, they are on the border, they expect thee.'

'Lo, God has wholly come: do thou call, he will answer thee.'

'Lo, they that shall help thee await thee, their hands are spread to embrace thee.'   Take the news.

'They are laden with garlands and palms to give to thee, the victorious captain.'   Take the news.

The envoy heard the good news, he took it to him that sent him.   Take the news.

The Fathers of Light came that they might help their loved one.   Take the news.

They helped the First Man, he cried before him in joy: 'Behold me, behold my merchandise.'

Great is the joy that there was, the First Man being in their midst, laden with garlands and palms.   Lo, this is the news.

May it happen to us together that we may be counted in his merchandise and rejoice with all the Aeons.   Lo, this is the news.

May we be counted among those of the right hand and inherit our kingdom.   Lo, this is the news.

And may we live with our kinsmen from everlasting to everlasting.   Lo, this is the news.

Glory to the First Man, honour to the Living Spirit, and their busy deeds which they have done.  Victory to the soul for the blessed Mary, Theona.

Such an amazing piece of work that is largely not seen! I hope you find this reading quite enlightening. I do have a few comments in regards to the Mary Magdalene portions. The first part obviously alludes to Mary first seeing the risen Christ. The next time she gets mentioned, it’s during a descriptive part of the disciples where this phrase speaks of her: A net-caster is Mariam, hunting for the eleven others that were wandering. There were. I love how Mary is described as a net-caster, gathering up the 11 that ran off after the crucifixion. Apostle to the apostles indeed! I do like to mention that the next line mentions that Martha (of Bethany) is a sister to Mariam. Now this is interesting as Roman Catholicism legends conflates Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany. In Orthodoxy, this is not the case and they are two separate people (of which I am in agreement). However, this fourth century text mentions they are sisters. Hmm… Another mention of Mariam is this phrase: He chose Mariam, the Spirit of Wisdom. I absolutely love this! I have always seen Mary Magdalene as an avatar of Sophia (Divine Wisdom) and to see this mentioned as such in this psalm definitely made me smile.

Featured photo is of a Coptic manuscript of this psalm. https://viewer.cbl.ie/viewer/image/Pma_4_191-192/2/

bP

The Virgin Mary and the Woman who was about to bring forth

Sorry for the month long departure. I try to post at least twice a month however Lent / Pascha season had my attention, but now I am back with another Theotokos Ethiopian short story. This story is another incession story, this time involving a pregnant woman. The English translation is provided by E. A. Wallis Budge (with some slight editing from me), and the iconography is of an unknown date.

THE VIRGIN MARY AND THE WOMAN WHO WAS ABOUT TO BRING FORTH.

A miracle of Our Holy Lady, the Virgin Mary. May the blessing of her prayer be with her beloved one, our king David, forever and ever! Amen.

Now there was a certain city wherein a church had been built, and this church was built in the name of the Archangel Michael, and each year, on the twelfth day of the month Hidar (November), which is the day of the festival of the Archangel Michael, great numbers of the people of the city did not fail to visit his church (May his intercession and his supplication keep our king David from the evil Enemy!). And behold, it came to pass one day when the people were travelling along the road to come to that church, that a mighty roaring rush of waters came from the sea, which burst upon the people and terrified and alarmed them exceedingly, and drove their senses’ out of them; and the waves thereof surrounded that place and rose to a height of about two measures, and the people were well-nigh drowned. Then each and everyone among them made supplication unto God, and every man sought out a means whereby he might save himself, and they took to flight and ran away from before the billows of the sea, so that they might not be drowned by the waves, according to that which was wont to happen. And behold, there was a certain woman travelling with them who was with child, and her time for bringing forth was nigh, and she was unable to run away with them; and she cried out unto those who had forsaken her and fled, but no man turned back to have regard unto her, and she found none to help her and despaired utterly of obtaining any help from man.

Then she cried out with tears unto God, the Most High, and unto our Lady Mary, the storehouse of compassion and mercy, who called everyone unto the love of her beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world. And it came to pass that when those who had taken to flight arrived at the seashore, they stretched out their hands, and turned their eyes upwards unto God in heaven, and they made supplication unto our Lady Mary with great outcry, and with much weeping, and with lamentation. And the waves of the sea stood still by the power of the billows thereof, and our Lady Mary brought tidings of hope and joy unto the woman, and covered her with her garments, and hid her from the sight of the sea; and it seemed to the woman that she was in a house which was well built and furnished.

Then, while she was in the midst of the sea, the pains of childbirth laid hold upon her, and our Lady Mary took the child from her womb; and she gave birth to a fine boy. And his mother called the boy “Abraskirospas”, a name which means in Greek and in Hebrew, “The Hand of Mary had touched him and blessed him in the womb of his mother.” Now neither pain nor blood came to his mother when she brought him forth. And it came to pass that, when the sea returned into it’s wonted place, and the waters thereof became quiet, and the waves went down, the woman went forth from it carrying her child in her arms. Now when the people saw her many of them marveled and were made speechless, by reason of the greatness of the wonderful and miraculous thing which had happened; and they all ran and followed after her.

And when they had come up with her, they asked her questions, and she related unto them this great and wonderful miracle which Mary, the mother of life, the vessel of prophecy, had wrought, and she told them how she had hidden her beneath the dark masses of water so that she should not suffer death. And those who heard this story, men, and women, and children, and old folk, and young men, and babes, and Jew and Gentile, and all the people of the world, marveled exceedingly, and they gave thanks unto the God of righteousness, and they multiplied the praises of our Lady Mary, who worked miracles without number, whose beauty of goodness is without measure, and whose rule is beneficent and hard to explain. May her prayer deliver our king David from the wrath of her Son forever and ever! Amen.

As thou did cover over with thy garments the woman who was with child, and was among the terrible waves of the sea, at the hour of her bringing forth and bearing a son, even so cover thou me over, and let not my need be too hard for me, O my Lady Mary, who did receive me into thy care from the womb, with vestments of light and not of skin.

-bP

The Virgin Mary and the Egyptian Priest John

I am digging back into the Ethiopian tradition with this short tale about the Theotokos and her encounter with an Egyptian Priest named John Bakansi (at least that is how it’s translated). It has an odd turn of events, and I’m always up for quirky tales. What I really like about this short story is the venerating icon aspect and the miracle associated with it. As one who actively venerates icons, it definitely appealed to me. Like my other Ethiopic tales, I am using the E. A. Wallis Budge translation from 1900 with slight tweaking. I am presenting this story in full and be using traditional Ethiopian iconography to accompany this tale.

A miracle of Our Holy Lady, the two-fold Virgin Mary, who gave birth to God. May her prayer, and her blessing, and the mercy of her beloved Son be with our King David for ever and ever! Amen.

Now there was a certain priest in the city of Cairo called John Bakansi, and he dwelt in a church which had been built in the name of the martyr Mercurius; and the days of this man were a hundred years, and both his eyes were blind, and he remained for the whole of the past year seeing nothing at all. And when the light of his eyes failed he began to take an oath without any man knowing thereof. Now there was in that church a icon of our holy Lady, the two-fold Virgin Mary, which looked towards the east, and after the concluding prayer had been said at midnight, when the monks had departed unto their cells, that priest would go to the icon and to bow down before her a great number of times, and he used to salute her with the salutation of the angel three hundred times; and then he made entreaty unto her that she would restore the sight of his eyes. Now he continued to act in this wise for a whole year, and it came to pass that at the end of a full year, on a certain night, as he was singing the salutation of the angel according to his habit, and was standing before the icon of our holy Lady, the two-fold Virgin Mary, drowsiness came upon him and he fell asleep immediately.

And he saw in his dream that there came forth from the picture a most beautiful woman who shone with light which was seven times brighter than that of the sun, and she drew nigh unto him and took out her breasts from inside her apparel and pressed milk out of them upon his eyes; then she made the sign of the cross over him with her holy hands and disappeared into the picture. And straightway his eyes were opened and he saw the icon burning with fire, and he found in his eyes milk which sent forth sweet fragrance. And he cried out, saying, “Hail to thee, O thou that art full of grace, for God is with thee“; and when the monks heard his outcry they came unto him quickly, so that they might know what had happened. And the priest told them everything which he had seen, and they looked at his eyes, and they perceived the traces of the milk in them, and they laid their hands upon his eyes and they saluted him.

Then they went to the icon of our holy Lady, the two-fold Virgin Mary, and each one of them bowed down before her and prostrated himself before her as long as they were able to do so. And the priest John performed the service of the consecration of the Eucharist on that day, and he administered the holy Mysteries unto the monks and unto the people; and he lived twenty years after this, and he continued to minister in the church until he died in peace. May her prayer, and her blessing, and the mercy of her beloved Son be with our king David for ever and ever! Amen.

Thou didst receive his request, and didst give him of thy spiritual milk
Wherewith thou didst seal the eye of John the aged.
O Mary, the Virgin, daughter of the king of Heshbon,
Receive the words of my mouth, and pay good heed to my cry,
And moreover incline their ear to my petition!

-bP

Jesus sayings in 2 Clement

I wrote previously regarding one of the sayings in 2 Clement and it’s correlation to the Gospel of Thomas, but have decided to do a deep dive into all the sayings. There are quite a few quotes from Jesus in this writing that is attributed to Clement of Rome, but that attribution is questionable and most have deemed the author as “Pseudo-Clement.” Regardless, let’s take a look at this second century text and see where these Jesus quotes come from.

Our first quote comes from 2:1:
Rejoice, thou barren that barest not. Break out and cry, thou that
travailest not; for more are the children of the desolate than of
her that hath the husband.
This quote is from Galations 4:27, which states (ESV):
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
Which itself is a reference to Isaiah 54:1.
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
    break forth into singing and cry aloud,
    you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.

The next quote is from 2:4:
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
This comes from Luke 5:32 (ESV):
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

In 2 Clement 3:2 we get this quote:
Whoso confesseth Me, Him will I confess before the Father.
This comes from Matthew 10:32 (KJV):
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

3:5 states:
This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
This comes from Matthew 15:8 (ESV):
‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
Which itself harkens to Isaiah 29:13:
 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

4:2 states:
Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, shall be saved, but he that doeth righteousness.
This is in reference to Matthew 7:21 (ESV):
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

4:5 states:
Though ye be gathered together with Me in My bosom, and do not My commandments,
I will cast you away and will say unto you, Depart from Me, I know
you not whence ye are, ye workers of iniquity.
This comes from Luke 13:27 (ESV):
But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’

5:2 states:
Ye shall be as lambs in the midst of wolves.
This is comes from Matthew 10:16 (ESV):
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

In 5:3, it has Peter ask Jesus “What then, if the wolves should tear the lambs?”, and in 5:4 Jesus responds with:
Let not the lambs fear the wolves after they are dead;
and ye also, fear ye not them that kill you and are not
able to do anything to you; but fear Him that after ye are dead
hath power over soul and body, to cast them into the Gehenna of fire.
The first part has no known reference, but the latter half comes from Matthew 10:28 (ESV):
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

6:1 states:
No servant can serve two masters.
This is in reference to Matthew 6:24 (ESV):
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

6:2 states:
For what advantage is it, if a man gain the whole world and forfeit
his soul?
This is from Matthew 16:26 (ESV):
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

7:6 states:
Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be for a spectacle unto all flesh.
This is in reference to Isaiah 66:24 (ESV):
“And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

8:5 states:
If ye kept not that which is little, who shall give unto you that which is great?
For I say unto you that he which is faithful in the least, is also faithful in much.
This comes from Luke 16:10 (ESV):
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

9:11 states:
These are my brethren, which do the will of My Father.
Matthew 12:50 states (ESV):
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

12:2 states:
When the two shall be one, and the outside as the inside, and the male with the female, neither male or female.
This is in reference to the Gospel of Thomas saying 22. I did a whole write up about this and can be read at: https://culminationofwisdom.org/2023/11/14/2-clement-gospel-of-thomas-22/

13:2 has two sayings. The first one is:
Every way My Name is blasphemed among all the Gentiles
This is in reference to Romans 2:24 (ESV):
For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
The second saying is:
Woe unto him by reason of whom My Name is blasphemed
This is referenced in the above reference but also in Isaiah 52:5 (NIV):
“And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,” declares the LORD. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed.

13:4 states:
It is no thank unto you, if ye love them that love you, but this is thank unto you, if ye love your enemies and them that hate you
Luke 6:32 – 35 is the basis of this quote (ESV):
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil

14:1 states:
My house was made a den of robbers.
Matthew 21:13 (ESV):
He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

15:3 states:
Whiles thou art still speaking I will say, Behold, I am here.
This is referenced in Isaiah 58:9 (ESV):
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

17:4 states:
I come to gather together all the nations, tribes, and languages
This one comes from the Revelation of John 7:9 (ESV):
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages

I believe I got all the Jesus quotes. If you would like to read this homily in full, I used this particular translation: https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-lightfoot.html

Featured artwork is a mosaic of Clement of Rome.

bP


John the Baptist’s family and his death

Here is an interesting tidbit regarding John the Baptist speaking of wanting a wife (and obtaining one, then having children) and on his own death; from the Mandaean tradition. This comes from the G.R.S. Meade book “Gnostic John the Baptizer”, which takes from the Mandaean Book of John, and I have included it in full since the translation is in public domain. I have updated some of the text to make it flow a little easier for the modern reader and added notes where needed.

YAHYA (John) proclaims in the nights and speaks: “The heavenly wheels and chariots
quaked. Sun and Moon weep and the eyes of Ruha shed tears.”
He says: “Yahya, thou art like to a scorched mountain, which brings forth no grapes in
this world. Thou art like to a dried-up stream, on whose banks no plants are raised. Thou
has become a land without a lord, a house without worth. A false prophet has thou
become, who has left no one to remember thy name. Who will provide thee with
provision, who with victuals, and who will follow to the grave after thee?”
When Yahya heard this, a tear gathered in his eye; a tear in his eye gathered, and he
spoke: “It would be pleasant to take a wife, and delightful for me to have children. But
only if I take no woman,—and then comes sleep, desire for her seizes me and I neglect
my night-prayer. If only desire does not wake in me, and I forget my Lord out of my
mind. If only desire does not wake in me, and I neglect my prayer every time.”
When Yahya said this, there came a Letter from the House of Abathur: “Yahya, take a
wife and found a family, and see that thou does not let this world come to an end. On the
night of Monday and on the night of Tuesday go to thy first bedding. On the night of
Wednesday and on the night of Thursday devote thyself to thy hallowed praying. On the
night of Friday and on the night of Saturday go to, thy first bedding. On the night of
Sunday and (? yea) on the night of the Day devote thyself to thy hallowed praying. On
Sunday, take three and leave three, take three and leave three. See that thou does not let
the world come to an end.”
Thereon they fashioned for Yahya a wife out of thee, thou Region of the Faithful.
From the first conception were Handan and Sharrath born. From the middle conception
were Birham and R’himath-Haiye born. From the last conception were Nsab, Sam,
Anhar-Ziwa born. These three conceptions took place in thee, thou Ruins, Jerusalem.
Yahya opened his mouth and spoke to Anhar in Jerusalem: “Instruct thy daughter,
that she may not perish; and I will enlighten my sons and teach them, that they may not
be hindered.” Thereon Anhar opened her mouth and spoke to Yahya in Jerusalem. “I have
borne sons in this world,” said she to him, “yet have I not given birth to their heart in
the world. If they let themselves be instructed, then will they ascend to Light’s region; if
they let not themselves be instructed, then will the blazing fire consume them.”

Yahya (John) opened his mouth and spoke to Anhar (John’s wife) in Jerusalem: “If I leave the
world, tell me, what will thou do after me?”—”I will not eat and will not drink,” she answered
him, “until I see thee again.”—”A lie has thou spoken, Anhar, and thy word has come forth in
deception. If a day comes and goes, thou eatest and drinkest and forgettest me out of thy
mind. I asked thee rather, by Great Life and by the eve of the Day whose name is dear: If
I leave the world, tell me, what wilt thou do after me?”—” I will not wash and I will not
comb me,” says she to him, “until I see thee again.”—”Again has thou spoken a lie and
thy word has come forth in deception. If a month comes and a month goes, thou washest
and combest thee and forgettest me out of thy mind. Again did I ask thee, Anhar, by the
first bed in which we both lie: If I leave my body, tell me, what wilt thou do after me?”—
“I will put on no new garments,” she answers him, “until I see thee again.”—”Again has
thou spoken a lie, Anhar, and thy word has come forth in deception. If a year comes
and a year goes, thou puttest new garments on thee and forgettest me out of thy mind.”
“Why dost thou not tell me all, Yahya,” says she to him; “and how sorely thou bruisest
the whole of my body! If thou dost depart, when wilt thou return, that my eyes may fall
upon thine?”—”If a woman in labour descends into Sheol and a bell is hung up for her in
the graveyard. If they paint a picture in Sheol, and she then goes forth and they give a
feast in the graveyard. If a bride parades round in Sheol, and they celebrate marriage in
the graveyard. If the wedding-companions borrow in Sheol, and the paying-back takes
place in the graveyard.”
Then answered she him: “My lord, how shall it be that a woman in labour . . . “[and so
on, repeating the above].
“If thou knowest,” he makes answer unto her, “that this does never happen, why does
thou press me with asking: When does thou return? I go hence and return not. Happy the
day when thou dost still see me. If there were a going-away and returning, then would no
widow be found in this world. If there were a going-away and returning, then would no
fatherless be found in the world. If there were a going-away and returning, then no
Nazoræans would be found in the world.”
Thereon Anhar opened her mouth and spoke to Yahya in Jerusalem: “I will buy thee for
dear gold a brick grave and have a boxing of wood joinered together for thee in the
graveyard.” But Yahya opened his mouth and spoke to Anhar in Jerusalem: “Why wilt thou
buy a brick grave for dear gold and have a boxing of wood joinered for me in the
graveyard? Art sure that I am returning, that thou does say: No dust shall fall on him?
Instead of buying a brick grave for dear gold, go rather and share out for me bread.
Instead of getting a boxing joinered together, go rather and read for me masses for the
departed.”
Thereon Anhar opened her mouth and spake to Yahya in Jerusalem: “Thou does go
hence and forget me, and I shall be cut off in the Sinners’ Dwelling.”
[But Yahya answered her:] “If I forget thee, may the Light Dwelling forget me. If I
forget thee, may my eyes not fall on Abathur. If I ascend to Life’s House, thy wailing will
arise in the graveyard.”
Praisèd be Life, and Life is victorious.

Featured artwork was made using Midjourney AI.

bP

The flying head of John the Baptist

On February 24 and 25 in the Orthodox tradition there are two feast days about discovering the head of John the Baptist (commemorating two different dates, and there is a third feast day for another finding later in the year; the head kept getting lost!). The head of John the Baptist is quite the fascinating relic and there are four places that claim to house the head, one place is Roman Catholic, another Eastern Orthodox, then a museum in Germany and an Islamic mosque! The head of John the Baptist has many legends associated it, particularly the Knights Templar. I may have to go down this rabbit hole at some point as they all are very fascinating! Today’s post is in regards to an apocrypha text titled “The Life of John the Baptist by Serapion“. The dating of the text is not known, it could be as early as the latter half of fourth century. The tradition is not known, perhaps Syriac or Coptic. I am not going to cover the entire text in this post, but rather just a section towards the end. This section relates to what happened after John was beheaded, and what the head actually did! It is quite the crazy tale. Just another piece of lore to add to the mysticism of John the Baptist’s head. I am using the English translation by Slavomir Ceplo in the New Testament Apocrypha: More Noncanonical Scriptures Volume 1. Since it is a newer translation, I will not provide the section in full but rather paraphrasing it. I highly recommend that volume (as well as 2 and 3) as those series of books contain very rarely read literature that are extremely fascinating.

The above piece of artwork is from 1876 titled L’Apparition and was painted by Gustave Moreau. I think it will fit quite well with this story!

After John was beheaded, it was handed to Herodias. The eyes of the head were still open and apparently the ears could still hear. Herodias starts cursing the head that lays in front of her, telling it she will pluck out it’s eyes, rip out it’s tongue and pull out all it’s hair. As she reaches towards the head to accomplish this, the head of the John spreads out all it’s hair and flies to the center of the room!! As it was floating in front of the king and his officials, the roof of the building opened up and the head flew out. The story then speaks of the three associated with John’s death and how they were disposed. As the head was flying off, Herodias’ eyes were pulled out from her head and the room (which had opened up for the head to fly away) fell upon the body of Herodias, at which time the floor of the building opened up. This swallowed Herodias to the depths of hell. Seeing all this, her daughter went mad. It states she went to a frozen lake to dance upon it, at which time the Lord broke the ice and caused her to fall in. Attempts to rescue her were futile, so they cut off her head with a sword, the same which had decapitated John. After this, a whale (?!) appeared and and spit out her body back onto the shore?!!? Just take a minute to process that. During all this commotion, Herod had suffered a stroke in front of the audience. All this took place immediately after the death of John. If you recall my post on the apocrypha tale “The Martyrdom of Zechariah“, those three meet a different ending, though not quite as graphic as this tale.

One of Herod’s men went down to the prison and quickly handed over the body of John to John’s followers, hoping nothing else would happen.

What happened with John’s head? It went and flew over Jerusalem for three years saying, over and over, “Herod, you may not marry the wife of your brother while he is still alive“. After three years, the head flew elsewhere throughout the world stating this same phrase, over and over. After making a fifteen year world tour, the head flew to the city of Homs (in Syria), where followers took the head and buried it, afterwards building a church over it.

There you have it, the flying head of John the Baptist! For those curious about the feast days in February 24 and 25, check out this page: https://vema.com.au/first-second-finding-of-the-venerable-head-of-john-the-baptist-24-february/. May 25th is the third feast day in regards to the third time finding John’s head.

Featured artwork: The flying head of John the Baptist, made with Midjourney AI.

bP

Salome built a tower

I have featured Salome on my blog in the past, but wanted to share this Manichaean psalm. There are numerous psalms from the Manichaean faith, but in a particular group titled “Psalms of Thom(as)”, number 16 is titled “Salome built a tower.” I did not see this posted online elsewhere, so I want to share it here. I am pulling this translation from the 1938 book “A Manichaean Psalm Book: Part II” by Charles Robert Cecil Allberry. As far as I know, there is no other English translation available, at least in modern times. Some of the psalm is lost, so it will be represented with …… and there are some parts that may not have been translated properly. I have included as is:

Psalms of Thomas: 16

Salome built a tower upon the rock of truth and mercy. 

The builders that built it are the righteous, the masons that hew stones for it are the angels.  

The floor of the house is Truth, the beams of the roof are alms, faith is the …… the Mind is the …… of its door.  

They that go into it rejoice, they that come out of it, ---- their heart seeks after gladness. 

She built it and gave it a roof.  

Salome gave a parapet to the tower, she took an anesh of storax to purify it, she took the ……. of incense into the palm of her hand…….. forth, she set it upon her head, she went into it, she called my Lord Jesus, saying ……. mayset thou answer me, Jesus, mayest thou hear me, for I am not double-minded, one is my heart and one my intention, there is no thought in my heart that is split or divided.  

Garland me with the Brightnesses and take me up to the house of peace.  

The governors and rulers, --- their eyes looked upon me, they wondered and marvelled that the Righteous belonged to a single Lord.

Love the symbolism in this psalm! Definitely gives one something ponder upon!

Featured artwork was made by Midjourney.

bP

John the Messiah, Jesus the Deceiver

Today is the feast day of Theophany, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John. I present you with a different take on this event. This post, as well as more coming up, will feature Mandaean writings relating to John the Baptist. Mandaeism is the only “gnostic” religion to survive since antiquity without any downtime periods. If you are unaware of their practices, a quick google search will bring up what they are all about. What is interesting about the religion is their view of John the Baptist (as Messiah), but also that of Jesus. I am presenting you piece of Mandaean that relate between John and Jesus. Some choice words are to be had. This translation comes from G.R.S. Mead’s “The Gnostic John the Baptizer” book and I have left the translation as is without any “modernizing” it. 

JOHN AND THE BAPTISM OF JESUS 

Yahyā proclaims in the nights, Yōhānā on the Night's evenings.  

YAHYĀ proclaims in the nights.—Glory rises over the worlds.

 Who told Yeshu (Eshu)? Who told Yeshu Messiah, son of Miryam, who told Yeshu, so that he went to the shore of the Jordan and said unto Yahyā: "Yahyā, baptize me with thy baptizing and utter o'er me also the Name thy wont is to utter. If I show myself as thy pupil, I will remember thee then in my writing; I attest not myself as thy pupil, then wipe out my name from thy page," Thereon Yahyā answered Yeshu Messiah in Jerusalem: "Thou hast lied to the Jews and deceived the priests. Thou hast cut off their seed from the men and from the women bearing and being pregnant. The sabbath, which Moses made binding, hast thou relaxedin Jerusalem. Thou hast lied unto them with horns and spread abroad disgrace with the shofar."  

Thereon Yeshu Messiah answered Yahyā in Jerusalem: "If I have lied to the Jews, may the blazing fire consume me. If I have deceived the priests, a double death will I die. If I have cut off their seed from the men, may I not cross o'er the End-Sea. If I have cut off from the women birth and being pregnant, then is in sooth a judge raised up before me. If I have relaxed the sabbath, may the blazing fire consume me. If I have lied to the Jews, I will tread on thorns and thistles. If I have spread disgrace abroad with horn-blowing, may my eyes then not light on Abathur. So baptize me then with thy baptizing, and utter o'er me the Name thy wont is to utter. If I show myself as thy pupil, I will remember thee then in my writing; if I attest not myself as thy pupil, then wipe out my name from thy page."  

Then spake Yahyā to Yeshu Messiah in Jerusalem: "A stammerer becomes not a scholar, a blind man writes no letter. A desolate house mounts not to the height, and a widow becomes not a virgin. Foul water becomes not tasty, and a stone does not with oil soften." Thereon Yeshu Messiah made answer to Yahyā in Jerusalem: "A stammerer a scholar becomes, a blind man writes a letter. A desolate house mounts unto the height, and a widow becomes a virgin. Foul water becomes tasty, and a stone with oil softens."  Thereon spake Yahyā unto Yeshu Messiah in Jerusalem: "If thou givest me illustration for this, thou art really a wise Messiah."  

Thereon Yeshu Messiah made answer to Yahyā in Jerusaem: "A stammerer a scholar becomes: a child who comes from the bearer, blooms and grows big. Through wages and alms he comes on high; he comes on high through wages and alms, and ascends and beholds the Light's region. 

"A blind man who writes a letter: a villain who has become virtuous. He abandoned wantonness and abandoned theft and reached unto faith in almighty Life. 

"A desolate house who ascends again to the height: one of position who has become humble. He quitted his palaces and quitted his pride and built a house on the sea-shore. A house he built on the sea-shore, and into it opened two doors, so that he might bring in unto him whoever lay down there in misery,—to him he opened the door and took him within to himself. If he would eat, he laid for him a table with Truth, If he would drink, he mixed for him wine cups with Truth, If he would lie down, he spread a bed for him in Truth. If he would depart, he led him forth on the way of Truth. He led him forth on the way of Truth and of faith, and then he ascends and beholds the Light's region. 

"A widow who a virgin becomes: a woman who already in youth has been widowed. She kept her shame closed, and sat there till her children were grown. If she passes over, her face does not pale in her husband's presence.  

"Foul water that is made tasty: a girl wanton who has got back her honour: she went up a hamlet and she went down a hamlet without taking her veil from her face.  

"A stone with oil softens: a heretic who has come down from the mountain.

 He abandoned magic and sorcery and made confession to almighty Life. He found a fatherless and filled him full and filled full the widow's pockets. 

"Therefor baptize me, O Yahyā, with thy baptizing and utter o'er me the Name thy wont is to utter. If I show myself as thy pupil, I will remember thee in my writing; if I attest not myself as thy pupil, then wipe out my name from thy page. Thou wilt for thy sins be haled to account, and I for my sins will be haled to account." 

When Yeshu Messiah said this, there came a Letter out of the House of Abathur: "Yahyā, baptize the deceiver in Jordan. Lead him down into the Jordan and baptize him, and lead him up again to the shore, find there set him."  Then Rūhā made herself like to a dove and threw a cross over the Jordan. A cross she threw over the Jordan and made its water to change into various colours.
 
"O Jordan," she says, "thou sanctifiest me and thou sanctifiest my seven sons." 

Then follows what, from its animadversion on Christian institutions and especially on the use of the crucifix, is plainly a later addition. Rūhā is apparently still speaking; she is the Mother of all heresies.

"The Jordan in which Messiah Paulis was baptized, have I made into a 'trough.' The bread which Messiah Paulis receives, have I made into a 'sacrament.' The drink which Messiah Paulis receives, have I made into a 'supper.' The head-band which Messiah Paulis receives, have I made into a 'priest-hood.' The staff which Messiah Paulis receives, have I made into a 'dung-stick.'"

Gnosis of Life speaks:

"Let me warn you, my brothers, let me warn you, my beloved! Let me warn you, my brothers, against the . . . who are like unto the cross. They lay it on the walls; then stand there and bow down to the block. Let me warn you, my brothers, of the god which the carpenter has joinered together. If the carpenter has joinered together the god, who then has joinered together the carpenter?" 

Praisèd be Life, and Life is victorious.   

(For those who are not familiar with the atmosphere of bitter inner and outer theological strife of the times, it is as well to note that the last two pieces are in the form of haggadic controversy between the followers of John and Jesus respectively.)

Featured artwork is a 13th century iconography of the Theophany.

bP

Josephus writing about John the Baptist

Those who study Christian history have heard of the Jewish historian, Flavius Jospheus and his mentions of John the Baptist, Jesus and James (brother of Jesus). I have read the Jesus and James mentions before, but I must admit, I never really read the John quotation. While reading through G. R. S. Mead’s Gnostic John the Baptizer: Selections from the Mandaean John Book, there was a section he presented of FJ’s mention of John. I am on a John the Baptist kick here lately (expect some posts in the future), so let’s start off with the selections that Mead provides in his book. There may be better translations out there now, as this writing is from the early 1900s, so keep that in mind.

I. JOHN'S PROCLAMATION AND HIS REBUKE OF THE AUTHORITIES. 
(Follows on B. J. II. vii. 2.) 
 
Now at that time a man went about among the Jews in strange garments; for he had put pelts on his body everywhere where it was not covered with his own hair; indeed to look at he was like a wild man. 

He came to the Jews and summoned them to freedom, saying: "God hath sent me, that I may show you the way of the Law, wherein ye may free yourselves from many holders of power. And there will be no mortal ruling over you, only the Highest who hath sent me." And when the people had heard this, they were joyful. And there went after him all Judæa, that lies in the region round Jerusalem. 

And he did nothing else to them save that he plunged them into the stream of the Jordan and dismissed them, instructing them that they should cease from evil works, and promising that there would then be given them a ruler who would set them free and subject to them all that is not in submission; but no one of whom we speak (?), would himself be subjected. Some reviled, but others got faith. 

And when he had been brought to Archelaus and the doctors of the Law had assembled, they asked him who he is and where he has been until then. And to this he made answer and spake: "I am pure; for the Spirit of God hath led me on, and I live on cane and roots and tree-food.”

But when they threatened to put him to torture if he would not cease from those words and deeds, he nevertheless said: "It is meet for you rather to cease from your heinous works and cleave unto the Lord your God." 

And there rose up in anger Simon, an Essæan by extraction, a scribe, and he spake: "We read every day the divine books. But thou, only now come from the forest like a wild animal,—thou darest in sooth to teach us and to mislead the people with thy 
reprobate words."

And he rushed forward to do him bodily violence. But he, rebuking them, spake: "I will not disclose to you the mystery which dwelleth in you, for ye have not desired it. Thereby an untold calamity is come upon you, and because of yourselves." 

And when he had thus spoken, he went forth to the other side of the Jordan; and while no one durst rebuke him, that one did what he had done also heretofore.  


II. HIS INTERPRETATION OF PHILIP'S DREAM. 
(Follows on B. J. II. ix. 1.)  

While Philip was still in possession of his dominion, he saw a dream,—how an eagle tore out both his eyes. And he summoned all his wise men. But when each interpreted the dream differently, there came to him suddenly, without being summoned, that man of whom we have previously written, that he went about in skins of animals and cleansed the people in the waters of the Jordan. And he spake: "Give ear to the word of the Lord,—the dream which thou hast seen. The eagle—that is thy venality; because that bird is violent and rapacious. And that sin will take away thy eyes which are thy dominion and thy wife." And when he had thus spoken, Philip died before evening and his dominion was given to Agrippa.  


III. HIS PERSISTENT REBUKING OF AGRIPPA AND HIS EXECUTION. (Follows immediately on the preceding.)  

And Herod, his brother, took his wife Herodias. And because of her all the doctors of the Law abhorred him, but durst not accuse him before his face.  But only that one whom they called a wild man, came to him in anger and spake: "Why hast thou taken the wife of thy brother? As thy brother hath died a death void of pity, thou too wilt be reaped off by the heavenly sickle. God's decree will not be silenced, but will destroy thee through evil affliction in foreign lands. For thou dost not raise up seed for thy brother, but gratifiest thy fleshly lust and committest adultery, seeing that four children of him are alive."  Now when Herod heard this, he was filled with wrath and commanded that they should beat him and drive him away. But he accused Herod incessantly wherever he found him, and right up to the time when he (Herod) put him under arrest and gave orders to slay him. Now his disposition (or character) was extraordinary and his mode of life not that of a man; indeed just like a bodiless spirit, thus did this one too continue. His lips knew no bread; not even at Passover did be taste unleavened bread, saying that, in remembrance of God who had freed the people from slavery, it was given for eating in the flight, for the way was in haste. To wine and intoxicating drink he let himself no even draw near. And every animal he abhorred as food, and every wrong he rebuked, and tree-produce served him for use.

Featured artwork is iconography of John the Baptist, from the Hagia Sophia.

-bP