Trzej Królowie

    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 13:48
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      The Magi (mædʒaɪ/;Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men, (Three) Kings, or Kings from the East, were, according to Christian beliefs, a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of the Christian tradition. The Gospel of Matthew, the only one of the four Canonical gospels to mention the Magi, states that they came "from the east" to worship the Christ, "born King of the Jews." Although the account does not tell how many they were, the three gifts led to a widespread assumption that they were three as well. In the East, the magi traditionally number twelve. Their identification as kings in later Christian writings is probably linked to Psalms 72:11, “May all kings fall down before him”.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 13:54
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      In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:14
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      The Magi are popularly referred to as wise men and kings. The word magi is the plural of Latin magus, borrowed from Greek μάγος magos, as used in the original Greek text of the Gospel of Matthew. Greek magos itself is derived from Old Persian maguŝ from the Avestan magâunô, i.e. the religious caste into which Zoroaster was born, (see Yasna 33.7: "ýâ sruyê parê magâunô " = " so I can be heard beyond Magi "). The term refers to the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism. As part of their religion, these priests paid particular attention to the stars, and gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science. Their religious practices and use of astrology caused derivatives of the term Magi to be applied to the occult in general and led to the English term magic. Translated in the King James Version as wise men, the same translation is applied to the wise men led by Daniel of earlier Hebrew Scriptures (Daniel 2:48). The same word is given as sorcerer and sorcery when describing "Elymas the sorcerer" in Acts 13:6–11, and Simon Magus, considered a heretic by the early Church, in Acts 8:9–13. However, there are some who argue that the magi might have been astronomers, and not astrologers.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:17
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      Traditions identify a variety of different names for the Magi. In the Western Christian church they have been commonly known as:
      Melchior (also Melichior), a Babylonian scholar
      Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa, and other variations), a Persian scholar
      Balthazar (also Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea), an Arab scholar
      These names apparently derive from a Greek manuscript probably composed in Alexandria around 500 A.D., and which has been translated into Latin with the title Excerpta Latina Barbari.Another Greek document from the 8th century, of presumed Irish origin and translated into Latin with the title Collectanea et Flores, continues the tradition of three kings and their names and gives additional details. Caspar is also sometimes given as Gaspar or Jaspar.[10] One candidate for the origin of the name Caspar appears in the Acts of Thomas as Gondophares (AD 21 – c.AD 47), i.e., Gudapharasa (from which 'Caspar' might derive as corruption of 'Gaspar'). This Gondophares declared independence from the Arsacids to become the first Indo-Parthian king and who was allegedly visited by Thomas the Apostle. His name is perpetuated in the name of the Afghan city Kandahar, which he founded under the name Gundopharron. Christian legend may have chosen Gondofarr simply because he was an eastern king living in the right time period. In contrast, the Syrian Christians name the Magi Larvandad, Gushnasaph, and Hormisdas. These names have a far greater likelihood of being originally Persian, though that does not, of course, guarantee their authenticity. In the Eastern churches, Ethiopian Christianity, for instance, has Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater, while the Armenians have Kagpha, Badadakharida and Badadilma. Many Chinese Christians believe that one of the magi came from China. This final idea is used by Christopher Moore in his novel Lamb. Bible historian Chuck Missler mentions an Armenian tradition identifying the Magi as Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia and Gasper of India.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:19
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      The phrase from the east, more literally from the rising [of the sun], is the only information Matthew provides about the region from which they came. Traditionally the view developed that they were Babylonians, Persians, or Jews from Yemen as the Makrebs or kings of Yemen then were Jews, a view held for example by John Chrysostom. The majority[who?] belief was they were from Babylon, which was the centre of Zurvanism, and hence astrology, at the time; and may have retained knowledge from the time of their Jewish leadership by Daniel. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi found Jesus by 'following' a star, which thus traditionally became known as the Star of Bethlehem. Various theories have been presented as to what this phenomenon refers to, since stars do not visibly move and therefore cannot be followed. Some believe that they followed a planet, which without a telescope could be mistaken as a star, as it slowly moved across the sky. On finding him, they gave him three symbolic gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Warned in a dream that Judean king Herod intended to kill the child, they decided to return home by a different route. This prompted Herod to resort to killing all the young children in Bethlehem, an act called the Massacre of the Innocents, in an attempt to eliminate a rival heir to his throne. Jesus and his family had, however, escaped to Egypt beforehand. After these events they passed into obscurity.[16] The story of the nativity in Matthew glorifies Jesus, likens him to Moses, and shows his life as fulfilling prophecy. After the visit, the Magi leave the narrative by returning another way so as to avoid Herod, and do not reappear. Gregory the Great waxed lyrical on this theme, commenting that having come to know Jesus we are forbidden to return by the way we came. There are many traditional stories about what happened to the Magi after this, with one having them baptised by St. Thomas on his way to India. Another has their remains found by Saint Helena and brought to Constantinople, and eventually making their way to Germany and the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral. A model for the homage of the Magi might have been provided, it has been suggested, by the journey to Rome of King Tiridates I of Armenia, with his magi, to pay homage to the Emperor Nero, which took place in 66 AD, a few years before the date assigned to the composition of the Gospel of Matthew. In recent tradition the Magi have been portrayed as three kings, or noble men, of different origin. One from Western Europe (usually Celtic-like from the British Isles or France), another of African Origin (usually Abyssinian, Ethiopian), the last from Asia either from the Arabian Peninsula (e.g. Yemen or Oman) or the Far East (usually China). The European is often portrayed with the gold as the other two gifts were native to Africa and Asia so the myrrh and frankincense vary between "King". There was a tradition that the Central Asian Naimans and their Christian Kerait relatives were descended from the Biblical Magi. This heritage passed to the Mongol dynasty of Genghis Khan when Sorghaghtani, niece of the Kerait ruler Toghrul, married Tolui the youngest son of Genghis and became the mother of Mongke Khan and his younger brother and successor, Kublai Khan. Toghrul became identified with the legendary Central Asian Christian king, Prester John, whose Mongol descendants were sought as allies against the Muslims by contemporary European monarchs and popes
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:22
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      The Magi are described as "falling down", "kneeling" or "bowing" in the worship of Jesus. This gesture, together with the use of kneeling in Luke's birth narrative, had an important effect on Christian religious practices. They were indicative of great respect, and typically used when venerating a king. Inspired by these verses, kneeling and prostration were adopted in the early Church. While prostration is now rarely practiced in the West, it is still relatively common in the Eastern Churches, especially during Lent. Kneeling has remained an important element of Christian worship to this day. Three gifts are explicitly identified in Matthew: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Many different theories of the meaning and symbolism of the gifts have been brought forward. While gold is fairly obviously explained, frankincense, and particularly myrrh, are much more obscure. The theories generally break down into two groups: All three gifts are ordinary offerings and gifts given to a king. Myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable.
      The three gifts had a spiritual meaning : gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
      This dates back to Origen in Contra Celsum: "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God."
      These interpretations are alluded to in the verses of the popular carol "We Three Kings" in which the magi describe their gifts. The last verse includes a summary of the interpretation: "Glorious now behold Him arise/King and God and sacrifice."
      Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.
      Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and as a penitential incense in funerals and cremations until the 15th century. The "holy oil" traditionally used by the Eastern Orthodox Church for performing the sacraments of chrismation and unction is traditionally scented with myrrh, and receiving either of these sacraments is commonly referred to as "receiving the myrrh".
      It has been suggested by scholars that the "gifts" were medicinal rather than precious material for tribute. The Syrian King Seleucus II Callinicus is recorded to have offered gold, frankincense and myrrh to Apollo in his temple at Miletus in 243 BC, and this may have been the precedent for the mention of these three gifts in Gospel of Matthew (2:11). It was these three gifts, it is thought, which were the chief cause for the number of the Magi becoming fixed eventually at three. This episode can be linked to Isaiah 60 and to Psalm 72 which report gifts being given by kings, and this has played a central role in the perception of the Magi as kings, rather than as astronomer-priests. In a hymn of the late 4th-century hispanic poet Prudentius, the three gifts have already gained their medieval interpretation as prophetic emblems of Jesus' identity, familiar in the carol "We Three Kings" by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857. John Chrysostom suggested that the gifts were fit to be given not just to a king but to God, and contrasted them with the Jews' traditional offerings of sheep and calves, and accordingly Chrysostom asserts that the Magi worshiped Jesus as God. What subsequently happened to these gifts is never mentioned in the scripture, but several traditions have developed. One story has the gold being stolen by the two thieves who were later crucified alongside Jesus. Another tale has it being entrusted to and then misappropriated by Judas. One tradition suggests that Joseph and Mary used the gold to finance their travels when they fled Bethlehem after the magi had warned them about King Herod's plan to kill Jesus. And another story proposes the theory that the myrrh given to them at Jesus' birth was used to anoint Jesus' body after his crucifixion. In the Monastery of St. Paul of Mount Athos there is a 15th century golden case containing purportedly the Gift of the Magi. It was donated to the monastery in the 15th century by Mara Branković, daughter of the King of Serbia Đurađ Branković, wife to the Ottoman Sultan Murat II and godmother to Mehmet II the Conqueror (of Constantinople). Apparently they were part of the relics of the Holy Palace of Constantinople and it is claimed they were displayed there since the 4th century AD. After the Athens earthquake of September 9, 1999 they were temporarily displayed in Athens in order to strengthen faith and raise money for earthquake victims.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:23
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      There are several traditions on where the remains of the Magi are located, although none of the traditions is considered as an established fact or even as particularly likely by secular history.
      The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral, Germany.
      In Persia is the city of Saba, from which the Three Magi set out and in this city they are buried, in three very large and beautiful monuments, side by side. And above them there is a square building, beautifully kept. The bodies are still entire, with hair and beard remaining
      A Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral, according to tradition, contains the bones of the Three Wise Men. Reputedly they were first discovered by Saint Helena on her famous pilgrimage to Palestine and the Holy Lands. She took the remains to the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople; they were later moved to Milan (some sources say by the city's bishop, Eustorgius I[29]), before being sent to their current resting place by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I in AD 1164. The Milanese celebrate their part in the tradition by holding a medieval costume parade every 6 January.
      A version of the detailed elaboration familiar to us is laid out by the 14th century cleric John of Hildesheim's Historia Trium Regum ("History of the Three Kings"). In accounting for the presence in Cologne of their mummified relics, he begins with the journey of Helena, mother of Constantine I to Jerusalem, where she recovered the True Cross and other relics:
      Queen Helen… began to think greatly of the bodies of these three kings, and she arrayed herself, and accompanied by many attendants, went into the Land of Ind… after she had found the bodies of Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar, Queen Helen put them into one chest and ornamented it with great riches, and she brought them into Constantinople... and laid them in a church that is called Saint Sophia.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:25
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      The visit of the Magi is commemorated in most Western Christian churches by the observance of Epiphany, 6 January. The Eastern Orthodox celebrate the visit of the Magi on 25 December.
      The identification of the Magi as kings is linked to Old Testament prophesies that have the Messiah being worshipped by kings in Isaiah 60:3, Psalm 72:10, and Psalm 68:29. Early readers reinterpreted Matthew in light of these prophecies and elevated the Magi to kings. By AD 500 all commentators adopted the prevalent tradition that the three were kings, and this continued until the Protestant Reformation. Though the Qur'an omits Matthew's episode of the Magi, it was well known in Arabia. The Muslim encyclopaedist al-Tabari, writing in the 9th century, gives the familiar symbolism of the gifts of the Magi. Al-Tabari gave his source for the information to be the later 7th century writer Wahb ibn Munabbih. Some religious traditions take a critical view of the Magi. Jehovah's Witnesses do not see the arrival of the Magi as something to be celebrated, but instead stress the Biblical condemnation of sorcery and astrology in such texts as Deuteronomy 18:10–11, Leviticus 19:26, and Isaiah 47:13–14. They also point to the fact that the star seen by the Magi led them first to a hostile enemy of Jesus, and only then to the child's location — the argument being that if this was an event from God, it makes no sense for them to be led to a ruler with intentions to kill the child before taking them to Jesus. Likewise, as Matthew 2:12 informs, the Magi were warned by God not to return to the familicide King Herod. Thus, they believe, it seems reasonable to consider that the star, which evidently only the Magi could see (Matthew 2:7, 8), was the product of God's archenemy designed to perform an unholy act upon an innocent young child, Jesus.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:26
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      Holidays celebrating the arrival of the Magi traditionally recognise a distinction between the date of their arrival and the date of Jesus' birth. The account given in the Gospel of Matthew does not state that they were present on the night of the birth; in the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and Mary remain in Bethlehem until it is time for Jesus' dedication, in Jerusalem, and then return to their home in Nazareth.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:28
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      Western Christianity celebrates the Magi on the day of Epiphany, January 6, the day immediately following the twelve days of Christmas, particularly in the Spanish-speaking parts of the world. In these areas, the Three Kings ("los Reyes Magos de Oriente", also "Los Tres Reyes Magos" and "Los Reyes Magos") receive letters from children and magically bring them gifts on the night before Epiphany. In Spain, each one of the Magi is supposed to represent one different continent, Europe (Melchior), Asia (Caspar) and Africa (Balthasar). According to the tradition, the Magi come from the Orient on their camels to visit the houses of all the children; much like Santa Claus with his reindeer, they visit everyone in one night. In some areas, children prepare a drink for each of the Magi. It is also traditional to prepare food and drink for the camels, because this is the only night of the year when they eat.
      In Spain, Argentina, México and Uruguay there is a long tradition for having the children receive their Christmas presents by the three "Reyes Magos" (the figure of Santa Claus only appeared in recent decades) on the night of January 5 (Epiphany Eve). Almost every Spanish city or town organises cabalgatas in the evening, in which the kings and their servants parade and throw sweets to the children (and parents) in attendance. The cavalcade of the three kings in Alcoy claims to be the oldest in the world, having started in 1886. The Mystery Play of the Three Magic Kings is also presented on Epiphany Eve. There is also a "Roscón" (Spain) or "Rosca de Reyes" (Mexico) as explained below.
      In the Philippines, the concept of the Three Kings (Filipino: Tatlóng Harìng Mágo, lit. "Three Magi Kings"; shortened to Tatlóng Harì or Spanish Tres Reyes) follows Hispanic influence, with the Feast of the Epiphany is considered by many Filipinos to be the traditional end of the long local Christmas season. The tradition of the Three Kings' cabalgata is today done in only some areas, such as the old city of Intramuros in Manila, and the island of Marinduque. Another dying custom is to have children leave shoes out on Epiphany Eve to receive sweets and money from the Three Kings, much in the same fashion as European children do for St. Nicholas on December 5. With the arrival of American culture in the early 20th Century, the Three Kings as gift-givers have been largely replaced in urban areas by Santa Claus, and they survive in the greeting "Happy Three Kings!" and the surname Tatlóngharì.
      In Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, children cut grass or greenery on January 5 and put it in a box under their bed for the Kings' camels. Children receive gifts on January 6, which is called Día de Reyes, and is traditionally the day in which the Magi arrived bearing gifts for the Christ child. Christmas starts in December and ends in January after Epiphany, although in Puerto Rico there are eight more days of celebration (las octavitas).
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:28
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      A tradition in most of Central Europe and in Germanic areas involves writing the initials of the three kings' names (C+M+B, or C M B), above the main door of the home in chalk, to confer blessings on the occupants for the New Year. The writing is done at some point between Christmas and Epiphany. However, the initials also represent "Christus mansionem benedicat" ("May/Let Christ Bless This House")
      In Catholic parts of Germany and in Austria, this is done by so called Sternsinger (star singers), groups of three elementary school age children (nowadays of both sexes), dressed up as the Magi, carrying the star and singing Christmas carols. They are chaperoned by an adult or an older teenager who will stay in the background. In exchange for writing the initials, they collect money for a specific charity project in the third world designated by the Catholic Church, which is the same throughout the country in any given year. It is part of the Sternsinger tradition that one of the three children will blacken his or her face with soot, in memory of the legend that one of the Magi was of African origin. This is not considered a racist blackface performance, as it does not portray any stereotypes about African people apart from the skin colour.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:29
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      In Spain and in Portugal (where it is called Bolo-rei[37]), the cake, which is ring-shaped, is most commonly bought, not baked, and it contains both a small figurine of the baby Jesus (or another surprise depending on the region) and an actual dry broad bean. The one who gets the figurine is crowned, but whoever gets the bean has to pay the value of the cake to the person who originally bought it.
      In France and Belgium, a cake containing a small figure of the baby Jesus, known as the "broad bean", is shared within the family. Whoever gets the bean is crowned king for the remainder of the holiday and wears a cardboard crown purchased with the cake. The practice is known as tirer les Rois (Drawing the Kings). A queen is sometimes also chosen.
      In México they also have the same ring-shaped cake Rosca de Reyes (Kings Bagel or Thread) with figurines inside it. Whoever gets a figurine is supposed to take it to the local church and buy tamales for the Candelaria feast on February 2.
      In New Orleans, Louisiana, parts of southern Texas, and surrounding regions, a similar ring-shaped cake known as a "King Cake" traditionally becomes available in bakeries from Epiphany to Mardi Gras. The baby Jesus figurine is inserted into the cake from underneath, and the person who gets the slice with the figurine is expected to buy or bake the next King Cake. There is wide variation among the types of pastry that may be called a King Cake, but most are a baked cinnamon-flavoured twisted dough with thin frosting and additional sugar on top in the traditional Mardi Gras colours of gold, green and purple. To prevent accidental injury or choking, the baby Jesus figurine is frequently not inserted into the cake at the bakery, but included in the packaging for optional use by the buyer to insert it themselves. Mardi Gras-style beads and doubloons may be included as well.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:30
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      The Magi most frequently appear in European art in the Adoration of the Magi; less often The Journey of the Magi has been a popular topos, and other scenes such as the Magi before Herod and the Dream of the Magi also appear in the Middle Ages. In Byzantine art they are depicted as Persians, wearing trousers and phrygian caps. Crown appear from the 10th century. Medieval artists also allegorised the theme to represent the three ages of man. Beginning in the 12th century, and very often by the 15th, the Kings also represent the three parts of the known (pre-Columbian) world in Western art, especially in Northern Europe. Balthasar is thus represented as a young African or Moor and Caspar may be depicted with distinctive Oriental features. An early Anglo-Saxon picture survives on the Franks Casket, probably a non-Christian king’s hoard-box (early 7th century, whalebone carving); or rather the hoard-box survived Christian attacks on non-Christian art and sculpture because of that picture. In its composition it follows the oriental style, which renders a courtly scene, with the Virgin and Christ facing the spectator, while the Magi devoutly approach from the (left) side. Even amongst non-Christians who had heard of the Christian story of the Magi, the motif was quite popular, since the Magi had endured a long journey and were generous. Instead of an angel, the picture places a swan, interpretable as the hero's fylgja (a protecting spirit, and shapeshifter). Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein depicted a more controversial tableau in his painting, Epiphany I: Adoration of the Magi (1996). Intended to represent the "many connections between the Third Reich and the Christian churches in Austria and Germany",[39] Nazi officers in uniform stand around an Aryan woman, a Madonna. The Christ toddler who stands on Mary's lap resembles Adolf Hitler. More generally they appear in popular Nativity scenes and other Christmas decorations that have their origins in the Neapolitan variety of the Italian presepio or Nativity crèche.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:32
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      Italian composer Ottorino Respighi wrote a composition called Trittico Botticielliano , based on three paintings by Botticelli, and one of the movements is called Adoration of the Magi.
      "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story written by O. Henry (a pen name for William Sydney Porter), about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money.
      The Magi are featured in Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, and in several Christmas carols, of which the best-known English one is "We Three Kings".
      In the film Donovan's Reef, a Christmas play is held in French Polynesia. However, instead of the traditional correspondence of Magi to continents, the version for Polynesian Catholics features the king of Polynesia, the king of America, and the king of China.
      Further sentimental narrative detail was added in the novel and movie Ben-Hur, where Balthasar ( Finlay Currie ) appears as an old man, who goes back to Palestine to see the former child Jesus become an adult.
      T. S. Eliot's poem The Journey of the Magi (1927) re-tells the story with a foreshadowing of the crucifixion, as does the poem Visit of the Wise Men by Timothy Dudley-Smith.[41]
      In Michael Ende's children books Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver and Jim Button and the Wild 13, one of the Three Kings plays a major role in one of the main character's background.
      Salley Vickers's Miss Garnet's Angel links the Epiphany story, and arrival of the Magi, with the ancient Zoroastrian elements in the Book Of Tobit, a Biblical book in the Deuterocanon.
      The Biblical Magi were the subject of the 1980 novel Gaspard, Melchior and Balthasar by the French author Michel Tournier.
      The Magi are shown in a painting of prophecy in the game God of War II
      The names of the Biblical Magi are used in characters related to ancient and almost-lost knowledge in the videogames Chrono Trigger and Xenogears.
      The Magi are the subject of Norah Lofts' novel "How Far To Bethlehem?" (1965)
      In Neon Genesis Evangelion (anime and manga), 3 massive supercomputers are collectively known as the Magi.
      The Spanish 2003 animation film Los Reyes Magos (Antonio Navarro)
      In David Morrell's 2008 novella "The Spy Who Came for Christmas", the Magi were intelligence agents sent to destabilize Herod's government.
      James Taylor's 1988 song "Home By Another Way" discusses the Magi's visit to Jesus and, specifically, their decision to avoid seeing Herod on their way home.
      In Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, the Three Wise Men appear to the crew of the Red Sprite, ordering them to follow the will of God and allow themselves to be enslaved by an angel's song. Should the protagonist follow the Law path, they will continue to appear to provide advice.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:33
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      Alors que l’Évangile selon Matthieu ne parle que de mages, la Tradition désigne sous le terme de «Rois mages» les visiteurs qui, ayant appris la naissance de Jésus, vinrent de pays étrangers pour lui rendre hommage et lui apporter des présents d’une grande richesse symbolique : or, myrrhe et encens.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:34
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      « Ils entrèrent dans la maison, trouvèrent l'enfant avec Marie, sa mère, et, se prosternant, ils l'adorèrent ; puis, ouvrant leurs trésors, ils lui offrirent des présents : de l'or, de l'encens et de la myrrhe. » (Matthieu, II:11.)
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:35
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      Les mages sont évoqués uniquement par l'Évangile selon Matthieu, mais celui-ci n'en fait pas des rois, ne leur donne pas de nom et ne précise pas leur nombre.
      Il signale seulement (Mt 2, 1) des mages venus d'Orient.
      Les quatre évangiles canoniques, ne font nullement mention de leur nombre (trois), ni de leurs qualités (rois). Le nombre de trois est supposé du fait que trois cadeaux aient été apportés. Leurs noms ne sont pas davantage indiqués dans les évangiles canoniques. cependant, l’Évangile arménien de l'Enfance, déclaré ultérieurement « apocryphe » par l'Eglise catholique, les désigne comme étant «Melchior, Balthazar et Gaspard» ce qui a été retenu par la tradition populaire
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:35
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      D'après la théologienne anglaise Foster, Philon aurait décrit les rois mages comme étant des scientifiques ou astrologues perses dont une des fonctions était de prédire la mort et la naissance de rois.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 14:36
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      Dans les premiers récits apocryphes les mages ne sont ni rois ni nommés.
      Dans le plus ancien d'entre eux et le plus influent, le Protévangile de Jacques (cité par Clément d'Alexandrie et Origène au IIe siècle), les mages sont encore anonymes et viennent d'Orient, sans plus de détails (Protévangile de Jacques § 21.1).
      Il en est de même dans le Pseudo-Matthieu, recension latine du Protévangile et tout aussi célèbre (fin du VIe siècle, début du VIIe) (Pseudo-Matthieu § 16.1).
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:46
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      Le texte de l'Évangile ne mentionne pas le nombre de ces mages mais énumère trois cadeaux apportés par eux (or, encens et myrrhe).
      Selon une interprétation théologique traditionnelle,ces offrandes correspondent à la reconnaissance de Jésus selon trois dimensions fondamentales :
      Il est fils de Dieu : l'or est l'image de ce qui est le plus précieux pour Dieu,
      Il est le Prêtre d'une nouvelle religion : l'encensest utilisé pour le culte, pour parler avec Dieu , ce que font tous les enfants de Dieu.
      Il est aussi véritablement homme : la myrrhe est un baume qui lave les blessures des hommes dans la chair. Il est donc lié à l'amour de la vie sur terre mais aussi comme préparation d'une vie destinée à passer de la mort vers la vie éternelle.
      L'Adoration du Christ par les Mages peut aussi symboliser l'idée que le christianisme prolonge et renouvelle la Tradition primordiale (à l'origine de toutes les religions) :
      Les mages venant d'Orient représentent les trois pouvoirs : pouvoir royal (l'or), pouvoir sacerdotal (l'encens) et pouvoir spirituel (la myrrhe).
      Les mages allant au devant du Christ signifient que les trois pouvoirs «sacrent» le christianisme comme étant le digne successeur de la Tradition primordiale.
      En souvenir de cet avènement, les trois couronnes figurant sur la tiare de Saint Pierre rappellent les trois pouvoirs correspondant aux trois mondes symbolisés par les Mages.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:47
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      Dans Mt 2,1 il est question de « mages venus d'orient » en nombre indéterminé. C'est Origène (185-254), dans ses Homélies sur la Genèse (Hom. Gén. 14,3), qui, le premier, fixe leur nombre à trois en se fondant sur les trois présents (or, encens, myrrhe) et en établissant une relation avec les trois personnages (Abimélek, Ahuzzat et Pikol) rendant visite à Isaac (Gn 26,26-29).
      Absents de l'évangile, les noms traditionnels de Gaspard, Melchior et Balthazar n'apparaissent que bien plus tard, pour la première fois dans un manuscrit du VIe siècle, conservé à la Bibliothèque nationale de France à Paris et intitulé Excerpta Latina Barbari. Ils y sont désignés sous les noms de Bithisarea, Melichior et Gathaspa. Vers la même époque, ils apparaissent dans un écrit apocryphe, l'Évangile arménien de l'Enfance, qui leur donne les noms de Balthazar, Melkon (Melchior) et Gaspard. Selon un écrit chrétien du IIIe siècle, les « Actes de Thomas », l’apôtre Thomas, nommé Judas Thomas, serait venu à la cour de Gondopharès Ier (Goudnaphar) et aurait entrepris l’évangélisation de son royaume3 avant d’aller dans le sud de l’Inde et de mourir près de Madras. En arménien, le nom de Gondopharès est Gathaspar, origine du nom « Gaspard ». Gondopharès serait l'un des rois mages4. Cet écrit sera déclaré apocryphe par l'Eglise catholique par la suite. Il figure notamment dans le décret de Gélase (une compilation de décisions ecclésiastiques datant du VIe siècle). Dans la Légende dorée, Jacques de Voragine les nomme même dans trois langues différentes5: Appellius, Amérius, Damascus en latin ; Galgalat, Malgalat, Sarathin en hébreu ; Caspar, Balthasar, Melchior en grec. Conformément à l'Évangile, ils sont mages et non rois. Au XVIIIe siècle, la mystique Catherine Emmerich, dans la relation contestée de ses visions, les nomme Théokéno, Mensor et Saïr.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:48
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      Les Rois-mages pourraient être des prêtres zoroastriens ou "Magi" (on appelle ces prêtres des magi dans la religion zoroastrienne de l'ancien Iran encore appelée magisme). Guidés par une étoile « qui se lève à l'est » (selon la Peshitta) ils sont à la recherche de leur messie annoncé dans les écrits sacrés du prophète Zarathoustra, les Gathas.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:48
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      Plusieurs Pères de l'Église, dont en premier Tertullien, puis Saint Ambroise, Saint Cyprien ou Théophylacte ont attribué aux mages le titre de roi, sans apporter de raison convaincante à ces affirmations. La référence à plusieurs versets d'Isaïe et aux prédictions de l'Ancien Testament (Psaumes, 72,10-11) semble avoir établi définitivement la Tradition : Les rois de Tarsis et des Iles rendront tribu / Les rois de Saba et de Seba feront offrandes / Tous les rois se prosterneront devant lui / Tous les païens le serviront.
      Melchior aurait été roi des Perses, Balthazar roi des Arabes, et Gaspard roi en Inde. Ce troisième nom rejoint la légende qui entoure le roi Gondopharès Ier qui aurait été converti par l'apôtre Thomas (Actes de Thomas)
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:49
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      D'après l'évangile de Matthieu et de Luc, le récit concernant les bergers et les mages sont deux histoires distinctes dont la datation n'est pas évidente: Certains pensent qu'elles pourraient s'être produites à un intervalle de 1 à 2 ans.
      L'évangile de Matthieu (chapitre 2 verset 13) nous rapporte qu'une fois les mages repartis, Joseph, divinement averti, amena toute sa famille en Egypte. Or cela n'a pas pu se produire à la naissance, car l'Évangile de Luc (chapitre 2 verset 21) nous rappelle que Jésus a été circoncis le huitième jour, puis il est précisé (verset 22) qu'après les jours de purification, ils le portèrent à Jérusalem. D'après Lévitique 12, une femme qui enfante un garçon reçoit une purification 40 jours après son accouchement (environ 80 jours pour une fille). Toute la famille serait donc restée à Bethléem au moins 40 jours après la naissance de Jésus.
      De plus, les bergers ne sont pas arrivés ni au même moment ni au même endroit que les mages : dans l'histoire des bergers, il est noté dans l'évangile selon Luc (Chapitre 2 verset 16) que, lorsque les bergers arrivent, ils trouvent Marie, Joseph et Jésus dans une mangeoire. Tandis que dans l'évangile de Matthieu (chapitre 2 verset 11), les mages se sont rendus dans une maison. .
      Cela pourrait expliquer qu'Hérode décide, à partir des informations fournies par les mages, de faire tuer tous les enfants de moins de deux ans à Bethléem et dans ses environs (Évangile de Matthieu chapitre 2 verset 16) ; la visite des mages à Jésus ayant eu lieu entre un et deux ans après sa naissance.
    • madohora Re: Trzej Królowie 06.01.12, 15:50
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      L'Etoile symbolise le chemin indiqué par Dieu pour trouver la Vérité. L'ange parfois appelés "étoile" dans les Écritures) est le guide sûr qui conduit ceux qui décident de la suivre à bon port : Elle s'arrête précisément au dessus du lieu de naissance de l'enfant.
      Selon d'autres théories, l'étoile citée par les Evangiles aurait bien existé :
      -Celle que les mages auraient suivie jusqu'à Bethléem serait en fait la conjonction de Jupiter et de Saturne qui eut lieu entre -6 et -4 avant l'an 1 (période de temps généralement considérée comme celle de la naissance du Christ, Hérode étant mort en -4), phénomène qui aurait duré près d'un an. Cette conjonction a eu lieu dans la constellation des Poissons, et un mouvement rétrograde de quelques semaines aurait pu donner l'impression qu'un événement spécial allait se produire.
      -Autre hypothèse: l'étoile Spica (dénommée Al Zimach en arabe, ou Tsemech en hébreu, ce qui signifie « de la branche de David »wink est l'étoile qui, en l'an 2 av.-J.-C., se lève exactement à l'est le jour de l'équinoxe de printemps. Ce phénomène, dû à la précession de l'axe polaire autour d'un axe imaginaire tous les 25 920 ans, était déjà connu des astronomes du Moyen-Orient. L'étoile aurait ainsi pu guider les mages jusqu'au lieu de naissance de Jésus.
      Les Témoins de Jéhovah eux, pensent que cette étoile n'a rien d'ordinaire, et que c'est Satan qui l'a faite briller afin que les Mages (ou Astrologues) conduisent Hérode au Christ. Ils tiennent ce raisonnement : "Jéhovah n'aurait jamais conduit des Astrologues au Christ, car les professions d'astrologue, mage, ou sorcier sont pour lui détestables." (l'exercice de la sorcellerie et de l'astrologie était effectivement sévèrement condamnée par la Torah). Ils écrivent aussi dans un recueil d'histoires Bibliques : "Qui a fait briller cette nouvelle étoile? N’oublions pas que les astrologues sont d’abord allés à Jérusalem après avoir vu l’étoile. Satan, qui voulait la mort du Fils de Dieu, savait que le roi Hérode chercherait à le faire périr. C’est donc lui qui a dû faire briller l’étoile."
      D'ailleurs, il n'est dit nulle part qu'en dehors des astrologues quelqu'un d'autre aurait vu l'étoile. Néanmoins, nous voyons que les mages écoutèrent Dieu et ne livrèrent pas l'enfant à Hérode. Si Satan était l'initiateur de l'adoration des mages, il aurait très certainement permis que les mages retourne prévenir Hérode.
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