Culmination of Wisdom

First Apocalypse of James – Tchacos vs NHL

The Codex Tchacos is famous for having the “Gospel of Judas” but what many seem to forget, it actually contained four Gnostic texts! Besides Judas, there is “The Letter of Peter to Philip”, “Book of Allogenes” and “James”. The “Book of Allogenes” is a newly discovered book, and not to be confused with “Allogenes” from the Nag Hammadi Library. I will make a post about the BoA in the near future. The copy of “James” that appears in Tchacos is an alternate version of the “First Apocalypse of James” that is also found in the Nag Hammadi Library. There is a third version of JAMES, a Greek fragmented version, that was found in the Oxyrhynchus dig, and only identified in 2017. As of posting this blog, the translation has not been published for the public.

So let’s compare the Tchacos version with the Nag Hammadi Library one. I am using the Marvin Meyer & Gregor Wurst translation of the Tchacos version (only available via the “Gospel of Judas: Critical Edition” book), and the William R. Schoedel translation of the NHL version, which is available at gnosis.org. Where both copies have existing fragments, they actually match up rather well. Some areas do get expanded upon. At the beginning of the text after Jesus informs James that he is a brother but not a “physical” brother, he goes into a dialogue regarding the ONE. Here is the Tchacos version:

Nothing existed except the One Who Is.  It is unnamable and ineffable among those who are or who will be.  For my part, I am from the One Who Is and is unnamable, and while I have been called by many names that do not belong to me, they are foreign to me.  And I am not first; I am second, from the One Who Is.  Since you have inquired about femaleness, listen.  Femaleness did exist, but it did not preexist.  It created powers and deities for itself.  So the One Who Is preexists, and femaleness also exists, but it does not preexists.
As for me, I have come from the image of the One Who Is to show you the One Who Is.  And I have also come to show you the image of the powers, so that the children of the One Who Is may understand what is theirs and what is not theirs.  Look, I have revealed the mystery to you.  They will arrest me after three days.  A multitude of elders will ---- me, and they will condemn me and curse me, but my deliverance is near.”

Now compare that with the NHL version:

"Nothing existed except Him-who-is. He is unnameable and ineffable. I myself am also unnameable, from Him-who-is, just as I have been given a number of names - two from Him-who-is. And I, I am before you. Since you have asked concerning femaleness, femaleness existed, but femaleness was not first. And it prepared for itself powers and gods. But it did not exist when I came forth, since I am an image of Him-who-is. But I have brought forth the image of him so that the sons of Him-who-is might know what things are theirs and what things are alien (to them). Behold, I shall reveal to you everything of this mystery. For they will seize me the day after tomorrow. But my redemption will be near."

A bit more detailed in the Tchacos version, but really, both say the same thing. While not a difference in terms of content, the NHL version is more complete in some areas where the Tchacos version is not. Since the NHL version is easily available, I will not cover those sections. Presented below are sections where the Tchacos version fills in gaps of the NHL version.

NHL version:
But this (people) existed as a type of the archons, and it deserved to be destroyed through them. But [...] the archons, [...] who has [...] but since it [...] angry with [...] The just [...] is his servant. Therefore your name is "James the Just".

Tchacos version:
Rather, this was inflicted upon the figure of the rulers, for whom it was fitting to be prepared.  It was the rulers who have prepared him.  Then he came to his end.  But watch out, because the just God is angry, for you have been a servant to him, and that is why you received the name ‘James the Just.’

NHL version:
He will say to you, 'What sort of son are you, and to what father do you belong?' You are to say to him, 'I am from the Pre-existent Father, and a son in the Pre-existent One.' When he says to you, [...], you are to say to him [...] in the [...] that I might [...]."

'[...] of alien things?' You are to say to him, 'They are not entirely alien, but they are from Achamoth, who is the female.

Tchacos version:
And he will say to you, ‘What son and what father?’  You will say to him, ‘The preexistent Father, and the Son who exists in the preexistent One.’  And he will say to you, ‘Where have you come from?’  You shall say to him, ‘From the preexistent One.’  And he will ask me, ‘Why have you come?’  You shall say, ‘I have come to all those who are mine and those who are not mine.’  He will say, ‘So what have you come after --- those who are not yours?’  And you shall say, ‘They are not at all alien to me, but to Achamoth, that is, the female, and she has created these for herself.

NHL version:
"But when you come to these three detainers who take away souls by theft in that place [...] these. You [...] a vessel [...] much more than [...] of the one whom you [...] for [...] her root. You too will be sober [...]. But I shall call upon the imperishable knowledge, which is Sophia who is in the Father (and) who is the mother of Achamoth.

Tchacos version:
But when you come to these three who carry off the soul, there is indeed a great struggle in that place, if you say these things to them: ‘I am a vessel that is more precious than Achamoth, the female who created you.  And if your mother is ignorant of her own root, then when will you become sober?  But I have called upon undefiled Sophia, who is in the Father, the mother of Achamoth

The following is a pretty extensive “gap filler”…..

NHL version:
And when he writes them down [...] and they are to give them [...] he has the [...] he is called Levi. Then he is to bring [...] word [...] from what I said earlier [...] a woman [...] Jerusalem in her [...] and he begets two sons through her. They are to inherit these things and the understanding of him who [...] exalts.

Tchacos version:
And then, when he has written them out, they will be taken from him and given to Manael--this is a holy name, and it has the same meaning as Masphel.  Let this person keep this very book as an inheritance for the children.  And there will come from him a seed, holy and worthy to inherit these things I have said.  And when his little child grows up --- he --- living, he will receive the name ‘Levi.’  Then the land will be at war again.  But Levi, as a little child, will hide there, and not a word from what I have said will pass his lips.  And he will marry a woman from Jerusalem, from his generation, and he will produce two sons from her, and the second (?) will inherit these words.

NHL version:
 And may these things remain hidden in him until he comes to the age of seventeen years [...] beginning [...] through them. They will pursue him exceedingly, since they are from his [...] companions. He will be proclaimed through them, and they will proclaim this word. Then he will become a seed of [...]."

Tchacos version:
he will keep them hidden until he reaches his seventeenth birthday.  
And then the land will go to war.  But since he is not there, he will be safeguarded in accordance with providence, and he will grow up and rule over many provinces.  Many will be saved through him, and he will make this word become dogma for many provinces.  But he will be severely persecuted by his fellows ----.  And he will be attacked by them, and they will despise this very word.  And these things will happen to restrain the rulers.”

Another big chunk missing from the NHL version. It seems that the NHL version is very fragmented towards the end, more so than you may think.

NHL version:
James said, "I am satisfied [...] and they are [...] my soul. Yet another thing I ask of you: who are the seven women who have been your disciples? And behold all women bless you. I also am amazed how powerless vessels have become strong by a perception which is in them." The Lord said, "You [...] well [...] a spirit of [...], a spirit of thought, a spirit of counsel of a [...], a spirit [...] a spirit of knowledge [...] of their fear.

Tchacos version:
(James:) “Rabbi, I have come to believe all these things, and they are well placed in what is within my soul.  Yet I shall ask you this: who are the seven women who have become your disciples and whom all the generations bless?  And I am amazed that they are in weak vessels and have found powers and perceptions.”  (Jesus:) “James, you do well to be amazed, but the Son of Man has come and has revealed the secrets about the children of light, so that they may possess the secrets when they are revealed.  These seven women are seven spirits who are introduced in this (?) scripture: A spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of understanding and knowledge, a spirit of fear.

NHL version:
[...] when we had passed through the breath of this archon who is named Adonaios [...] him and [...] he was ignorant [...] when I came forth from him, he remembered that I am a son of his. He was gracious to me at that time as his son. And then, before <I> appeared here, <he> cast them among this people. And from the place of heaven the prophets [...]."

Tchacos version:
When I passed through the land of the great ruler, who is called ‘Addon,’ I went in by him.  And he was ignorant.  And when I left him, he thought that I was his son, and he was gracious to me as though to his own son.  And before I appeared in these places, these spirits already were there with this very people, where no prophets spoke without these seven spirits.  And these are the seven spirits who have preached about me through the mouths of people as they were able to speak, because I had not yet spoken with all strength.  But I came and brought it to completion, and I am not yet completed.”

NHL version:
James said, "Rabbi, [...] I [...] all together [...] in them especially [...]." 

Tchacos version:
(James:) “You have also convinced me of all these things.  Rabbi, because it is the case, then, that after they have received the seven, they leave them with each other, do you have some who are more honored than others?”

NHL version:
The Lord said, "James, I praise you [...] walk upon the earth [...] the words while he [...] on the [...]. For cast away from you the cup which is bitterness. For some from [...] set themselves against you. For you have begun to understand their roots from beginning to end. Cast away from yourself all lawlessness. And beware lest they envy you. When you speak these words of this perception, encourage these four: Salome and Mariam and Martha and Arsinoe [...] since he takes some [...] to me he is [...] burnt offerings and [...].

Tchacos version:
(Jesus:) “I praise you even more, O James, for you ask about the details, and you will not say a single idle word.  Truly, you are worthy of your own root, and you have cast away from yourself the cup of drunkenness.  Not a single ruler can stand against you, for you have begun to recognize those who are yours.  Cast far away from yourself all ignorance, and beware lest they become jealous of you because you have received these words, that is, the knowledge that makes one high-minded.  Let yourself also be persuaded by this other circumstance, which is that of Salome, Mary, and Arsinoe, whom I shall introduce to you, because they are worthy of the One Who Is.

NHL version:
But I [...] not in this way; but [...] first-fruits of the [...] upward [...] so that the power of God might appear. The perishable has gone up to the imperishable and the female element has attained to this male element."

Tchacos version:
For they also have become sober and have been saved from the blindness that was in their hearts, and they have recognized who I am.  This has happened in accordance with the providence of the Father, because he has sent me as a priest.  And everywhere one has to give me the firstfruits and the firstborn.  The priest of this world receives the firstfruits and assigns sacrifices and offerings.  But I am not like this.  Rather, I receive the firstfruits of those who are defiled, so that I may send them up undefiled, that the true power may be revealed.  For the defiled has separated from what is undefiled, and the work of the female (?) has attained to the male.”

NHL version:
James said, "Rabbi, into these three (things), then, has their [...] been cast. For they have been reviled, and they have been persecuted [...]. Behold [...] everything [...] from anyone [...]. For you have received [...] of knowledge. And [...] that what is the [...] go [...] you will find [...]. But I shall go forth and shall reveal that they believed in you, that they may be content with their blessing and salvation, and this revelation may come to pass."  
And he went at that time immediately and rebuked the twelve and cast out of them contentment concerning the way of knowledge [...].

Tchacos version:

(James:) “Rabbi, the three, then, have perished and have not suffered, if in fact they deserved it and have been persecuted by others and have been told things that do not exist?”  (Jesus:) “James, it is completely unnecessary for anyone to perish.  These very three are separated from a place of faith --- the hidden knowledge.  These are the names of the three: Sapphira and Susanna and Joanna.  Look, I have revealed everything to you, and you are not a stranger to these very words.  For you have received the beginning of knowledge --- from those who are mine

At the very end here, both versions get very fragmented.

NHL version:
[...]. And the majority of them [...] when
they saw, the messenger took in [...]. The
others [...] said, "[...] him from this
earth. For he is not worthy of life."
These, then, were afraid. They arose,
saying, "We have no part in this blood,
for a just man will perish through
injustice" James departed so that [...]
look [...] for we [...] him.
The Apocalypse of James

Tchacos version:
Now go, and you will find the rest of
them. And I shall go to these and
appear to them, for they have ----
---
---
--- the twelve
--- he communicated to them
--- and knowledge
--- he persuaded them
--- are from them
---. The rest
---. It happened after
a while (?) that they seized James
instead of another man, against whom
they had brought charges, for he had fled
from ---- . And --- prison, but it was
another man named James who go out of
the prison. They seized this person
instead of him, and they brought him
before the judges. Most of the judges
saw that he was innocent, and they let
him go. But the others and all the
people stood there and said, “Make him
leave the earth; he is not worthy of life.”
But these were afraid, and they rose up
and said, “We are not ---- ---- .”
---
---
---
he remembered ---
he became --- ,
for the men ---
him, but the ---.
And when they were stoning him, he
said, “My Father, you who are in the
heavens, forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing.”
JAMES

As you can see, towards the end of the text, the Tchacos version really steps up and fills in a lot of gaps to really give the text a more proper ending. If you are curious to read the full Tchacos version, as far as I know, it is only available in the book pictured below:

The book also features full color scans of the actual papyri. The translation of Judas in this book is an older one, and since then, more fragments have been returned (that in itself is a whole story, as the history of the codex is quite fascinating). I recommend Marvin Meyer’s 2011 translation, pictured below, as it includes the found fragments and goes a more neutral stance on the whole daemon issue (and that too, is quite the story, LOL).

To read the Nag Hammadi version of James, go to:

http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/1ja.html

Black Madonna shrine – Pacific, Missouri

It’s been over a month since my last post, and I usually try not to let that happen. Unfortunately in the past month, I had to deal with the passing of my beloved senior dog (Krypto, 15 years old). The leading up to his death, and the grief afterwards, has been pretty tough. Thanks to some built up vacation time from work, I decided to take off the end of October for a few weeks to sort of get my mind back on track. One of the things I have been wanting to do for awhile is visit the Black Madonna shrine in Pacific, MO (USA). There are not many Black Madonnas in the US, but when I found out about this shrine about 4 hours away, I knew I would have to make it out there some time, and now it was good as time as any.

Located in the deep forest about 40 minutes south west of St. Louis, MO, this shrine is just up the road from a Franciscan Monastery. A history of the site can be found here: https://theblackmadonnashrine.org/who-we-are/

Upon arriving at the site, there is an outdoor chapel that had three variants of Our Lady of Czestochowa on display. Two of these were framed portraits on pull carts and a third was a mosaic version on the wall behind an altar. See the pics and video below:

To the left of the altar is a mini museum. Inside are various artifacts either relating to the site, donated items or souvenirs of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Below is a few pics, as well as a quick video walk through.

At the other end of the chapel, there is a gift shop that features Catholic items, but what really impressed me was the amount of Our Lady of Czestochowa items they had! I expected a few things, but wow, this went into another level! So I ended up getting quite a few items like a small medal coin, a sticker suncatcher, 8×10 print in frame, a magnet and a gold leaf icon (the smaller version, as they had three different sizes). To find Black Madonna icons for sale can be a hassle at times, so I was thrilled to get one, especially one of such high quality. Pic below:

Besides this amazing shrine to Our Lady, the grounds also feature a large grotto that was built using locally found items. There is a geode grotto here locally that is similar to this one, so I have seen something like this before. It is one of those projects that is an absolute labor of love that took years to put together. Very impressive and is definitely an example of “folk art.” Here are a few pics below:

Main part of the grotto, but there are other exhibits on the flip side.

I was extremely happy that my wife and I made the trip to the shrine. While I do like seeing the large cathedrals, these little “labors of love” that exist in the middle of nowhere really warm my heart. Check it out if you are near to the area. Their official website is: https://theblackmadonnashrine.org

-bP

Summer Harvest

While we have various Valentinian texts in the NHL, there are fragments that exist elsewhere, usually in the writings of the church Fathers, and are typically presented for negative commentary directed towards them. That being said, they do preserve these tidbits, so hey, I’ll take it. The following survives thanks to Hippolytus of Rome, in the writing, Against Heresies. This psalm is apparently complete and not a fragment. It is rather short but the imagery it conjures up is quite interesting. Here is the translated version I did for the short video recording:

In the spirit I see all suspended,
In the spirit I know everything held:
The flesh hanging from the soul
The soul held aloft by the air
The air suspended from the ether
Fruits manifest themselves out of the Depth
A child emerges from the womb

Here is a commentary on the psalm by an unnamed Valentinian teacher that gives the reader a perspective on the meaning of the psalm:

He means this: "flesh" is matter which is "hanging" from the "soul" of the Craftsman. "The soul held aloft by the air" means the Craftsman held aloft by the Spirit that comes from the Fullness (i.e. Achamoth). And "the air suspended from the ether" means that the exterior Wisdom (Achamoth) is suspended from the inner Limit and the entire Fullness. "Fruits manifest themselves out of the Depth" having become the complete emanation of the Aeons from the Father.

I ran the psalm through the Midjourney AI and eventually got the photo that is presented on this post.

Source: http://gnosis.org/library/valentinus/Fragments_Valentinus.htm

Salome

Last month I posted a blog about Mary Magdalene, which included included a conversation between her and Salome from the Pistis Sophia (Link: https://culminationofwisdom.org/2022/07/20/the-feast-day-of-mary-magdalene-july-22/ ), and it got me thinking, we don’t hear much about Salome! (and no, I am not referring to the Salome in the John the Baptist beheading story)

In the canonical gospels, she is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark as a witness to the crucifixion. In the Gospel of Matthew, she is not mentioned by name but rather the group that was at the crucifixion is mentioned and the phrase “The Mother of Zebedee’s children” is used. So it is presumed that person is Salome. Are they the same? The Diatessaron actually lists them as separate people. Personally I am going with the separate person theory, but really, it’s up to the reader. Back to the main point, Salome is barely in the Christian Bible. However, she shows up a few times in the Gnostic texts! She is supposedly a teacher for Marcellina (click for more info), a “Gnostic” teacher from the Carpocratian sect.

I have assembled some of the Salome stories from various texts for your reading enjoyment:

Up first, from the Gospel of Thomas, saying 61:

Jesus said, "Two will recline on a couch; one will die, one will live."

Salome said, "Who are you mister? You have climbed onto my couch and eaten from my table as if you are from someone."

Jesus said to her, "I am the one who comes from what is whole. I was granted from the things of my Father."

"I am your disciple."

"For this reason I say, if one is whole, one will be filled with light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness."

This next bit comes from the GREEK Gospel of the Egyptians, not to be confused with the COPTIC Gospel of Egyptians that was found in the Nag Hammadi library. Let it be known that only fragments exist of this text and are found in the writings of Clement of Alexandria.

The Lord said to Salome when she inquired: How long shall death prevail? 'As long as ye women bear children', not because life is an ill, and the creation evil: but as showing the sequence of nature: for in all cases birth is followed by decay.

For when she had said, 'I have done well, then, in not bearing children?' the Lord answers and says: Every plant eat thou, but that which hath bitterness eat not.

When Salome inquired when the things concerning which she asked should be known, the Lord said: When ye have trampled on the garment of shame, and when the two become one and the male with the female is neither male nor female.

The biggest source of Salome sayings come to us from the Pistis Sophia. She is featured several times in the discussions. They are as follows:

CHAPTER 58
Jesus sent forth a light-power to help Sophia. And Jesus continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass then, when Pistis Sophia had said these words, that the time was fulfilled that she should be led out of the chaos. And of myself, without the First Mystery, I dispatched out of myself a light-power, and I sent it down to the chaos, so that it might lead Pistis Sophia forth from the deep regions of the chaos, and lead [her] to the higher regions of the chaos, until the command should come from the First Mystery that she should be led entirely forth out of the chaos. And my light-power led Pistis Sophia up to the higher regions of the chaos. It came to pass then, when the emanations of Self-willed had noticed that Pistis Sophia was led forth into the higher regions of the chaos, that they also sped after her upwards, desiring to bring her again into the lower regions of the chaos. And my light-power, which I had sent to lead up Sophia out of the chaos, shone exceedingly. It came to pass then, when the emanations of Self-willed pursued Sophia, when she had been led into the higher regions of the chaos, that she again sang praises and cried out unto me, saying:

Sophia uttered a song of praise.

"'1. I will sing praises unto thee, O Light, for I desired to come unto thee. I will sing thee praises, O Light, for thou art my deliverer.

"'2. Leave me not in the chaos. Save me, O Light of the Height, for it is thou that I have praised.

"'3. Thou has sent me thy light through thyself and hast saved me. Thou hast led me to the higher regions of the chaos.

"'4. May the emanations of Self-willed which pursue me, sink down into the lower regions of the chaos, and let them not come to the higher regions to see me.

"'5. And may great darkness cover them and darker gloom come over them. And let them not see me in the light of thy power, which thou hast sent unto me to save me, so that they may not again get dominion over me.

"'6. And let not their resolution which they have formed, to take away my power, take effect for them. And as they have spoken against me, to take from me my light, take rather from them theirs instead of mine.

"'7. And they have proposed to take away my whole light and have not been able to take it, for thy light-power was with me.

"'8. Because they have taken counsel without thy commandment, O Light, therefore have they not been able to take away my light.

"'9. Because I have had faith in the Light, I shall not be afraid; and the Light is my deliverer and I shall not fear.'

"Now, therefore, let him whose power is exalted, speak the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished speaking these words unto his disciples, that Salome came forward and said: "My Lord, my power constrained me to speak the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Thy power hath prophesied aforetime through Solomon, saying:

Salome interpreted the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon.

"'1. I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, for thou art my God.

"'2. Abandon me not, O Lord, for thou art! my hope.

"'3. Thou hast given me thy vindication for naught, and I am saved through thee.

"'4. Let them who pursue me, fall down and let them not see me.

"'5. May a smoke-cloud cover their eyes and an air-mist darken them, and let them not see the day, so that they may not seize me.

"'6. May their resolution be impotent, and may what they concoct come upon them.

"'7. They have devised a resolution, and it hath not taken effect for them.

"'8. And they are vanquished, although they be mighty, and what they have wickedly prepared is fallen upon them.

"'9. My hope is in the Lord, and I shall not be afraid, for thou art my God, my Saviour.'"

It came to pass then, when Salome had finished saying these words, that Jesus said unto her: "Well said, Salome; and finely. This is the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."

CHAPTER 54
Jesus continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass then, when this lion-faced power saw me, how I drew nigh unto Pistis Sophia, shining very exceedingly, that it grew still more furious and emanated from itself a multitude of exceedingly violent emanations. When this then befell, Pistis Sophia uttered the eleventh repentance, saying:

"'1. Why hath the mighty power raised itself in evil?

The eleventh repentance of Sophia.

"'2. Its plotting taketh away the light from me all the time, and as sharp iron have they taken away power from me.

"'3. I chose to descend into the chaos rather than to abide in the thirteenth æon, the region of Righteousness.

"'4. And they desired to lead me craftily, in order to consume my whole light.

"'5. For this cause then will the Light take away their whole light, and also their whole matter will be made naught. And it will take away their light and not suffer them to abide in the thirteenth æon, their dwelling-place, and will not have their name in the region of those who shall live.

"'6. And the four-and-twenty emanations will see what hath befallen thee, O lion-faced power, and will be afraid and not be disobedient, but give the purification of their light.

"'7. And they will see thee and will rejoice over thee and say: Lo, an emanation which hath not given the purification of its light, so that it may be saved, but boasted itself in the abundance of the light of its power, because it did not emanate from the power in it, and hath said: I will take away the light from Pistis Sophia, which will now be taken from it.'

"Now, therefore, let him in whom his power is raised, come forward and proclaim the solution of the eleventh repentance of Pistis Sophia."

Then Salome came forward and said: "My Lord, concerning this thy light-power prophesied aforetime through David in the fifty-first Psalm, saying:

Salome interpreted the repentance from Psalm 51.

"'1. Why doth the mighty [one] boast himself in his wickedness?

"'2. Thy tongue hath studied unrighteousness all the day long; as a sharp razor hast thou practiced craft.

"'3. Thou lovedst wickedness more than goodness; thou lovedst to speak unrighteousness more than righteousness.

"'4. Thou lovedst all words of submerging and a crafty tongue.

"'5. Wherefore will God bring thee to naught utterly, and will uproot thee and drag thee out from thy dwelling-place, and will root out thy root and cast it away from the living. (Selah.)

"'6. The righteous will see and be afraid, and they will mock at him and say:

"'7. Lo, a man who made not God for his helper, but trusted to his great riches and was mighty in his vanity.

"'8. But I am as a fruit-bearing olive-tree in the house of God. I have trusted in the grace of God from all eternity.

"'9. And I will confess unto thee, for thou hast dealt faithfully with me; and I will wait on thy name, for it is auspicious in the presence of thy holy [ones].'

"This then is now, therefore, my Lord, the solution of the eleventh repentance of Pistis Sophia. While thy light-power hath roused me, I have spoken it according to thy desire."

Jesus commended Salome. It came to pass then, when Jesus had heard these words which Salome spoke, that he said: "Well said, Salome. Amen, amen, I say unto you: I will perfect you in all mysteries of the kingdom of the Light."

CHAPTER 145
Mary said: "Woe, woe, unto sinners!"

Salome answered and said: "My Lord Jesus, a murderer who hath never committed any sin but murdering, if he cometh out of the body, what is his chastisement?

Of the chastisement of the murderer. Jesus answered and said: "A murderer who hath never committed any sin but murdering, if his time is completed through the sphere, that he cometh out of the body, the receivers of Yaldabaōth come and lead his soul out of the body and bind it by its feet to a great demon with a horse's face, and he spent three days circling round with it in the world.

"Thereafter they lead it into the regions of the cold and of the snow, and they take vengeance on it there three years and six months.

"Thereafter they lead it down into the chaos before Yaldabaōth and his forty-and-nine demons, and every one of his demons scourged it another three years and six months.

"Thereafter they lead it down into the chaos before Persephonē and take vengeance on it with her chastisements another three years and six months.

"Thereafter they carry it on to the way of the midst, and every one of the rulers of the way of the midst taketh vengeance on it with the chastisements of its regions another three years and six months.

"Thereafter they lead it unto the Virgin of Light, who judged the righteous and the sinners, that she may judge it. And when the sphere turned itself, she commanded that it shall be cast into the outer darkness until the time when the darkness of the midst shall be upraised; it [the soul] will be destroyed and dissolved.

"This is the chastisement of the murderer."

Don’t forget to read my blog post of Mary Magdalene for another Salome Pistis Sophia story.

Next up is from the Infancy Gospel of James. This portrays Salome as a midwife to Mother Mary. So in this aspect, she was there at the time of Jesus’ birth, and also at his (physical) death!

Chapter 19: Jesus’ Birth

(1) And look! A woman was coming down from the mountain, and she said to me, “Man, where are you going?”

And I said, “I’m seeking a Hebrew midwife.”

And in reply she said to me, “Are you from Israel?”

And I said to her, “Yes.”

Then she said, “And who’s the one giving birth in the cave?”

And I said, “My betrothed.”

And she said to me, “She’s not your wife?”

And I said to her, “Mary was nurtured in the Temple of the Lord, and it was decided by lot that she would be my wife, yet she’s not my wife; but she’s conceived from the Holy Spirit.”

And the midwife said, “Really?”

And Joseph said to her, “Come and see.”

And the midwife went with him. (2) And they stood in front of the cave, and a bright cloud overshadowed the cave. And the midwife said, “My soul is magnified today, because my eyes have seen something wonderful. Salvation has been born to Israel!”

And immediately the cloud withdrew from the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave, so that their eyes couldn’t bear it. And a little later, the light withdrew until an infant appeared. And he came and took the breast of his mother, Mary.

And the midwife cried out and said, “How great today is for me, that I’ve seen this new miracle!”

(3) And the midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her.

And she said to her, “Salome, Salome, I have to describe a new sight to you. A virgin has given birth, which is against her nature!”

And Salome said, “As the Lord my God lives, unless I examine her condition, I won’t believe that the virgin has given birth.”

Chapter 20: Salome’s Examination

(1) And the midwife went in and said, “Mary, position yourself, because there’s no small test coming concerning you.”

And Salome examined her. And Salome cried out and said, “Woe because of my lawlessness and my unbelief! Because I’ve tested the living God, and look! My hand is on fire and falling away from me!”

(2) And she dropped to her knees before the Lord, saying, “God of my ancestors, remember me, that I’ve descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Don’t make an example of me to the people of Israel, but give me the back to the poor, because you know, Lord, that in your name I’ve healed people, and I’ve received my wages from you.”

(3) And look! An angel of the Lord appeared, saying to her, “Salome, Salome, the Lord of All has heard your prayer. Bring your hand to the child and lift him up, and you’ll receive salvation and joy.”

(4) And Salome joyfully went to the child and lifted him up, saying, “I worship him, because a great king has been born to Israel.” And immediately Salome was healed, and she left the cave justified.

And look! A voice was saying, “Salome, Salome, don’t report the wonderful things you’ve seen until the child comes into Jerusalem.”

The First Apocalypse of James also mentions Salome along with Mary, Martha and Arisnoe. I hope these texts help highlight another leader in the early Christian movement that seems to have been forgotten in time. Let us all venerate Saint Salome!

external links:

http://gnosis.org/naghamm/1ja.html

http://gnosis.org/library/pistis-sophia/index.htm

http://www.gospels.net/infancyjames

http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html

https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/gospelegyptians.html

Mary’s Spirit at Dormition

August 15 is the feast day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Earlier in my blog, I posted a three part series about one of the earliest dormition stories (which includes various gnostic thought), so please check out that if you haven’t. Links at the end. With this post, I wanted to focus on the spirit of Mary after she left her body. (Take note, I personally view the soul and spirit to be different entities, but these stories present them as equals, thus I will go with that for this blog posting.) With the MidJourney A.I. artwork generator, I created the picture (above) based on the description from the Book of Mary’s Repose:

And the apostles saw Mary's spirit as it was given into Michael's hands: a perfect form, but its body was both male and female, and nevertheless one, being similar to every body and seven times white.

Very interesting androgynous description of the spirit, which makes sense. I wanted to compare this description to other stories of the dormition. Up next is from the earliest Greek Dormition narrative:

The Lord embraced her, and he took her holy soul and placed it in Michael's hands, wrapping it in indescribably splendid skins.  And we, the apostles, beheld the soul of Mary as it was given into Michael's hands: it was perfect in every human form, except for the shape of male or female, with nothing being in it, except for a likeness of the complete body and a sevenfold whiteness.

The description in the early Greek narrative is pretty much the same as the Book of Mary’s Repose, except a bit more wordy. The “Ethiopic Six Books” do not describe Mary’s soul like the other two. This particular text has Mary and others saying prayers right up to her dormition. Once she passes, this is what is said:

At the time Mary's soul went forth, and he brought it to the treasuries of the Father.  Then John stretched forth his hand and straightened her out and closed her eyes.  Peter and Paul straightened her hands and feet, but the clothes that she was wearing did not go forth, for the Holy Spirit clothed her with a great light, which cannot be comprehended.

This next sentence is from the Golden Legend (Medieval Roman Catholic) story of Mary’s assumption.

And the apostles saw the soul of her being so white that no mortal tongue might express it.

A longer description of this comes from the sixth century Assumption of the Virgin – Latin Narrative of Pseudo-Melito :

And the apostles saw that her soul was of such whiteness, that no tongue of mortals can worthily utter it; for it surpassed all the whiteness of snow, and of every metal, and of gleaming silver, by the great brightness of its light.

Links to my review of the Book of Mary’s Repose: https://culminationofwisdom.org/2022/03/28/the-book-of-marys-repose-1-of-3/ https://culminationofwisdom.org/2022/03/28/the-book-of-marys-repose-2-of-3/ https://culminationofwisdom.org/2022/03/28/the-book-of-marys-repose-3-of-3/

The First Source

Here is another post with some MidJourney A.I. generated artwork. For these three variants of “the first source”, I used the opening section of the “Untitled text” from the Bruce Codex. I have spoken highly of this text before (it is one of my favorites) and was quite pleased with these results. As you can see with all three variants, they all have the same look to them but in different styles. I love how there is a central light/figure that then splits into various aspects. My favorite of the three is the main photo above, but the other two are really neat as well. I like how there are “garments” that lay on the floor next to the figures on that main photo. That type of imagery is present throughout numerous gnostic texts in that you must shed your worldly garment (flesh suit, if you will) to ascend to the pleroma.

Here is the text used to generate the photos:

He set him up so that they should strive against the city in which was their image. And it is in that they move, and in it that they live. And it is the house of the Father, and the garment of the Son, and the power of the Mother, and the image of the Pleroma. This is the First Father of the All. This is the first eternity. This is the king of unassailables. This is he in whom the All is unconscious. This is he who gave form to it within himself. This is the self-originated and self-begotten place. This is the deep of the All, this is the great abyss, in truth. This is he to whom the All reached. There was silence concerning him. He was not spoken of, for he is an ineffable one, he cannot be understood. This is the first source. This is he whose voice has penetrated everywhere. This is the first sound until the All perceived and understood. This is he whose members make a myriad myriad powers to each of them.

While the source is unthinkable / unknowable, it is interesting to see how A.I. interprets these texts. More experiments to come…

http://gnosis.org/library/untitl.htm

http://www.midjourney.com

The Feast Day of Mary Magdalene (July 22)

July 22 is the “Feast Day” for Mary Magdalene, so I thought it would be fitting to post various texts from different traditions. Those into “Gnosticism” like to champion Mary as a leader of the movement, but we really have no idea if the historical Mary Magdalene was actually of this mindset. However, gnostic groups did highly venerate her as she does appear in such texts like “The Gospel of Mary”, “The Gospel of Philip”, “Pistis Sophia”, “The Dialogue of the Savior”, “The First Apocalypse of James”, “The Sophia of Jesus Christ”, etc.. etc…

So light a candle, burn some incense and say a prayer to Mary and do some reading!

Gnostic Source:

The Gospel of Mary

Chapter 8 (part of Mary's teaching to the other disciples)

10) And desire said, I did not see you descending, but now I see you ascending. Why do you lie since you belong to me?

11) The soul answered and said, I saw you. You did not see me nor recognize me. I served you as a garment and you did not know me.

12) When it said this, it (the soul) went away rejoicing greatly.

13) Again it came to the third power, which is called ignorance.

14) The power questioned the soul, saying, Where are you going? In wickedness are you bound. But you are bound; do not judge!

15) And the soul said, Why do you judge me, although I have not judged?

16) I was bound, though I have not bound.

17) I was not recognized. But I have recognized that the All is being dissolved, both the earthly things and the heavenly.

18) When the soul had overcome the third power, it went upwards and saw the fourth power, which took seven forms.

19) The first form is darkness, the second desire, the third ignorance, the fourth is the excitement of death, the fifth is the kingdom of the flesh, the sixth is the foolish wisdom of flesh, the seventh is the wrathful wisdom. These are the seven powers of wrath.

20) They asked the soul, Whence do you come slayer of men, or where are you going, conqueror of space?

21) The soul answered and said, What binds me has been slain, and what turns me about has been overcome,

22) and my desire has been ended, and ignorance has died.

23) In a aeon I was released from a world, and in a Type from a type, and from the fetter of oblivion which is transient.

24) From this time on will I attain to the rest of the time, of the season, of the aeon, in silence.

MidJourney generated art based on this teaching from the Gospel of Mary

The Pistis Sophia has a LOT of Mary Magdalene quotes in it. It is perhaps the largest source of Mary information out there. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it. The following exchange in the PS is between Salome and Mary, in which Mary removes doubt from Salome:

Salome, as envisioned by the MidJourney A.I.

Gnostic Source:

Pistis Sophia - Chapter 132

And when the Saviour had said this, Salome started forward and said: "My Lord, if our parents are the rulers, how standeth it written in the Law of Moses: 'He who shall abandon his father and his mother, let him die the death'? Hath not thus the Law made statement thereon?"

And when Salome had said this, the light-power in Mary Magdalene bubbled up in her and she said to the Saviour: "My Lord, give commandment unto me that I discourse with my sister Salome to tell her the solution of the word which she hath spoken."

It came to pass then, when the Saviour had heard Mary say these words, that he called her most exceedingly blessed. The Saviour answered and said unto Mary: "I give commandment unto thee, Mary, that thou speak the solution of the word which Salome hath spoken."

And when the Saviour had said this, Mary started forward to Salome, embraced her and said unto her: "My sister Salome, concerning the word which thou hast spoken: It standeth written in the Law of Moses: 'He who shall abandon his father and his mother, let him die the death,'--now, therefore, my sister Salome, the Law hath not said this concerning the soul nor concerning the body nor concerning the counterfeiting spirit, for all these are sons of the rulers and are out of them. But the Law hath said this concerning the power which hath came forth out of the Saviour, and which is the light-man within us to-day. The Law hath moreover said: Every one who shall remain without the Saviour and all his mysteries, his parents, will not only die the death but go to ruin in destruction."

When then Mary had said this, Salome started forward to Mary and embraced her anew. Salome said: "The Saviour hath power to make me understanding like thyself."

It came to pass, when the Saviour had heard the words of Mary, that he called her most exceedingly blessed. The Saviour answered and said unto Mary in the midst of his disciples: "Hearken, therefore, Mary, who it is who compelled the man until he sinned.”

The next reading is from a Manichaean Psalm book, particularly the Psalms of Heracleides that details and expands the encounter between Mary and the resurrected Jesus.

Manichaean Source:

Manichaean Psalm Book / Psalms of Heracleides

Stem the tears of thy eyes and know me that I am thy master.

Only touch me not, for I have not 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….., appeared (?) not to thee, until I saw thy tears and thy weakness…for (?) me.

Cast this sadness away from thee and do this service: be a messenger for me to those lost 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 Olivers: “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 Mariamme, 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.

To end with Gnostic sources (I could go on for days), here is a short quote from the Dialogue of the Savior which really nails it on the head with Mary (the last part of the quote):

Gnostic Source:

The Dialogue of the Savior

Mary said, "Thus with respect to 'the wickedness of each day,' and 'the laborer is worthy of his food,' and 'the disciple resembles his teacher.'" She uttered this as a woman who had understood completely.

Up next is a phrase that I just found here recently. It is from a third century writing titled The Didascalia Apostolorum which has a section in it where the disciples are at the last supper and each giving a lesson/ talk about various topics. In this, Martha makes mention that Mary is laughing, but Mary points out what exactly she is laughing. I thought it’s pretty interesting:

Third Century Source: 

The Didascalia Apostolorum

Martha said about Mary, I saw her laughing between her teeth joyfully.

Mary said, I did not surely laugh, but I remember the words of our Lord, and I rejoiced, for ye know that He said to us before, when He was teaching, He that is weak shall be saved by the means of the strong.

Next up is from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and is pulled from an Akathist Hymn to Saint Mary Magdalene. This particular section relates to the popular scene in Eastern Orthodoxy that portrays Mary holding the red egg.

Eastern Orthodox Source:

Akathist Hymn: Saint Mary Magdalene, Equal of the Apostles
Kontakion Xl & Ikos XI

Kontakion Xl
There are no words which suffice fittingly to hymn the divine joy of Thy resurrection, O Christ, which, with the other women, the glorious Mary announced to the apostles on this appointed and holy day, the feast of feasts and solemnity of solemnities. Wherefore, bowing down before the magnitude of the ineffable compassions which Thou hast bestowed upon us, O Christ our King, with humility and love we cry out to Thee: Alleluia!

Ikos XI
Thou wast shown to be a radiant star shedding thy light upon our sinful world, O Mary Magdalene, when, after the glorious ascension of the Savior, thou didst go about the cities and villages, proclaiming the word of the Gospel everywhere and laying the easy yoke of Christ upon many. And when thou didst reach ancient Rome, thou didst stand manfully before Caesar Tiberius and didst explain to him, by means of a red-dyed egg and thy wise words, the life-bearing power of Christ. And thou didst also denounce the wicked Pilate and the ungodly high priest, that they might receive a recompense worthy of their iniquitous deeds. And marveling at this great feat of thine apostolate, with joy we cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, glorious herald of the teaching of Christ;
Rejoice, radiant dispeller of the darkness of paganism!
Rejoice, thou who didst release many men from the bonds of sin;
Rejoice, thou who hast taught the wisdom of Christ unto all!
Rejoice, thou who hast brought many people out of the darkness of ignorance into the wondrous light of Christ;
Rejoice, thou who hast provided us with a model for standing steadfastly for the righteousness of Christ!
Rejoice, thou who loved the salvation of sinners' souls more than thine own life;
Rejoice, thou who understood well the commandments of Christ!
Rejoice, thou who followed them faithfully; rejoice, thou who boldly denounced the darkness of the heathen!
Rejoice, thou who didst not fear the wrath of Caesar;
Rejoice, thou who showed him the malice and designs of the enemies of Christ!
Rejoice, O holy Mary Magdalene, equal of the apostles, who loved the sweetest Lord Jesus more than all good things!

The next section is from the Roman Catholic “The Golden Legend of Mary Magdalene”, a story I did a modern translation of. This particular section relates to when Mary was a hermit and would receive daily visits from angels who provided for her.

Roman Catholic source:

The Golden Legend of Mary Magdalene

And then the good pilgrim received his wife and child, and went to the ship. Soon after, they came to the port of Marseille and found the blessed Mary Magdalene preaching with her disciples. They kneeled down to her feet and recounted to her all what had happened to them, and then received baptism of Saint Maximin. They then destroyed all the temples of the idols in the city of Marseille, and made churches of Jesus Christ. And with one accord, they chose the blessed Saint Lazarus to be bishop of that city. Afterward, they came to the city of Aix, and by great miracles and preaching, they brought the people there to the faith of Jesus Christ. There, Saint Maximin was ordained to be bishop. In the meanwhile, the blessed Mary Magdalene, desirous of sovereign contemplation, sought a right sharp desert and took place there which was ordained by an angel of God, and to abode there for thirty years without knowledge of anyone. In this place, she had no comfort of running water, no solace of trees and no herbs. That was because our Redeemer had ordained for her to not partake of bodily meats but rather that of a celestial nature. Everyday at each canonical hour, she was lifted up in the air of angels, and heard the glorious song of the heavenly companies with her bodily ears. She was fed and filled with right sweet meats, and then was brought again by the angels to her proper place, in which she had no need of bodily nourishing.

And for one more tidbit, this comes from the Speculum Sacerdotale, yet another Roman Catholic tale I translated for this site earlier. Like the Golden Legend, it speaks of various post-resurrection tales involving Mary. This section is about one of her devotees who has an encounter with her:

Roman Catholic Source:

Speculum Sacerdotale

Also there was a clerk of Flaundres who fell into a stream of multiple crimes, and he was in such vices that he would neither do good nor hear of it.  Nevertheless he had great devotion to Mary Magdalene.  He worshiped her on her feast and fasted for her devoutly.  So in time, he had visited her sepulchre.  As he lay in his devotion, he had fallen into a half awake, half sleeping state, Mary Magdalene appeared to him.  She appeared as a celestial body, appearing in between two angels.  She said to him “Answer me now.  Why does thou act so wickedly against the prayers and merits that I make for thee?  I make for thee great instance and speak to my Lord, that thou should not perish, and thou will not amend, for I have prayed for thee to God, for the great devotion that thou has had for me.  Therefore, rise and amend it, and I shall never leave thee until thou be reconciled to God.”  And at that moment, this clerk felt the grace of God and Mary Magdalene, that he forsake the world and entered into religion and was of an exceptionally perfect life.  At the time of his death, Mary Magdalene was seen standing with angels beside his bed.  She took up his soul, like a white dove, to heaven.

I hope you enjoyed all these tidbits! I’ll do more compilations like this in the future.

-bP

Axion Estin

Axion Estin, or it’s translation meaning “It is truly meet”, is the name of a Eastern Orthodox magnification and hymn to the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). It also refers to an icon of the same name. Below is a reading of the hymn (sorry, you don’t want to hear my singing voice, LOL) that I did on the grounds of an orthodox church outside Bloomington, Indiana. They have a nice forest walking path through their grounds and at one point, they have a gazebo featuring two icons of the Theotokos. I want to do some more recordings in this are in the future (perhaps when it’s not quite so hot outside!).

It is truly right
to bless thee, O Theotokos,
the ever blessed, and most pure,
and the Mother of our God.

More honorable than the cherubim,
and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim,
who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word,
the true Theotokos,
we magnify thee.

Barbelo, as envisioned by A.I.

I figured I would share this interesting artwork I was able to put together with the help of AI. Here lately it seems that artificial intelligence artwork software is all the rage. Most of these programs have you input words / phrases and it will create various artworks based on those words. Most of these programs put out interesting results but still have a long way to go IMO. However, Mid-Journey (www.midjourney.com) may be the best one out there, at least with what I have tried. The software is currently in the beta testing / invites only stage right now, but I was able to get an invite for a free trial. This limited trial allowed me to do a handful of pictures and I toyed around with it to create some interesting results. Some of those pictures I will use in future blog posts, but for this post, I wanted to include the Barbelo pictures it generated. So when it asked me to prompt in the words I wanted to convert to artwork, I used this phrase from the Secret Book of John:

“She is Barbelo, the most perfect glory of all beings, the glory of the disclosure of the Father’s thought. Her own first thought was to glorify and praise the Virgin Spirit from whom she had come forth.”

So after processing for a few minutes, it spit out a picture featuring four different versions of Barbelo. With the software, you can make adjustments to each of the pictures. I decided to make adjustments to 3 of the 4 pictures. Now I did not save that original picture, so I am not able to show that for this post. These other three pictures, I find merit in all of them, with the last one being my absolute favorite. To me, they do resemble the same character, just from different view points. Now I realize this software is personifying an entity/concept which is a reflection of an unknowable source, but let’s just play along for a moment.

Up first:

Something I have noticed with A.I. software is the fetish with reptilian / blob like creatures. Not sure what is up with that and it would be interesting to know why it does that. This particular version of Barbelo looks like something that is just forming, perhaps an early version. The way the clothes melds with the skin shows a sense of oneness with itself. This is a version of Barbelo I could see Clive Barker putting together.

Next up:

So this second picture brings us up close and personal. Now she represents the traditional Madonna look with the halo surrounding her head. I do like the oft-ness of her face and fingers though. Yes it resembles human-like qualities but it’s not quite there, nor should it. I do realize this may appear slightly nightmarish to some but I adore the look.

And finally:

This is my favorite of them all. The halo is a bit different and is blue rather than gold/amber. She now has a spark of light at her crown as well as her throat (one could say these correspond with the chakras). The face of this picture I find to be quite mesmerizing. The eyes are different from each other but has that stare that just pulls you in. The multi-colored veil is very beautiful. I plan on using this picture in meditation as it really does take my mind to somewhere else. The picture does sort of remind me when I would use psychedelics and look at my reflection in the mirror with the colors and the slightly off features of the face.

This A.I. software is something else. I haven’t decided yet to buy into their subscription tier (I hate getting subscriptions after subscriptions on stuff) but this software has some very esoteric implications that one could use. I would like to enter other gnostic phrases into the software, as well as ritual passages. Who know what it may conjure up……?

Our Lady of Montserrat

I mentioned before about my visits to the Saint Meinrad Archabbey and encountering the Lady of Einsiedeln. Well, with the school out of session for the summer, I’ve been exploring more of the monastery and first off, there is a second statue of Einsiedeln at the entrance to another chapel on the grounds. This copy of our Lady is a bit smaller than the one in the cathedral, but impressive none the less. See below:

Our Lady of Einsiedeln, outside the Saint Thomas Aquinas chapel at the St Meinrad Archabbey

Awhile back I heard that the archabbey has a statue of Our Lady of Montserrat. I eventually found her the other week at a chapel in the middle of the monastery (name of the particular chapel escapes me at the moment, but I will update this post next time I visit it). I’ve always been fascinated with Our Lady of Montserrat and the “golden ball” which is held in her hand. The history and mythology behind that statue is quite interesting. The statue here is a little bit different than the actual one. The colors are slightly different and the statue is smaller. I have posted several pics below, as well as a youtube “short” where I walk up to the statue.

The stand in which the statue sits presents the Madonna and child at eye level to me, and it’s quite hypnotizing when you look at her straight on. Side note, there is a second statue of her on the third floor in the “hallway of the Virgin Mary”, which is a long hallway that features various incarnations of Mary from various cultures. The statue up there is quite smaller and is one that would be seen on a home altar.