Irish Biblical Apocrypha: Selected Texts in Translation

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA S E L E C T E D TEXTS IN TRANSLATION edited by Maire Herbert and Martin McNamara MSC T&TCL...

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IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

S E L E C T E D TEXTS IN TRANSLATION

edited by Maire Herbert and Martin McNamara MSC

T&TCLARK EDINBURGH

Copyright @ Maire Herbert, Martin McNamara and T & T Clark Ltd. 1989 T & T Clark U d , 59 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LQ, Scotland

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system o r transmitted in any form or b y any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of T & T Clark Ltd.

First Published 1989

ISBN 0 567 09524 X

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Herbert, Maire Irish Biblical A p o o y p h a . 1. Bible. Apocryphal books. Irish versions I. Title II. McNamara, Martin 229* .05'9162

Printed and boimd in Great Britain by Billing & Sons Ltd, Worcester.

D e d i c a t e d to t h e m e m o r y o f St. John D . S e y m o u r , Montague Rhodes James a n d to o t h e r p i o n e e r s i n t h e s t u d y o f t h e Irish B i b l i c a l A p o c r y p h a .

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T h e editors a n d p u b l i s h e r gratefully a c k n o w l e d g e the financial support o f t h e Irish B i b l i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e p r e p a r a t i o n a n d p u b l i c a t i o n of this w o r k .

T h e e d i t o r s a n d p u b l i s h e r s w o u l d l i k e to a c k n o w l e d g e t h e i r i n d e b t e d n e s s to M i c h a e l G o r d o n a n d D o n a i K i n g s t o n o f C o m p u t e r Bureau University College C o r k for technical assistance, a n d to P e t e r M o r e a u o f L a s e r G r a p h i c s , 8 M e r r i o n S q u a r e , D u b l i n 2 , f o r production of camera ready copy.

CONTENTS

Preface Professor

"i J. H.

Charlesworth

Introduction Martin McNamara, Texts Maire OLD

xiii MSC XXXV

Herbert THSTAMENT

1. T h e Creation of A d a m

1

2. Creation and Fall

2

3. T h e P e n a n c e of A d a m 4. T h e Death of A d a m

8 12

5. A d a m a n d his Descendants

17

6. 7. 8. 9.

19 22 23 25

T h e T w o S o r r o w s o f the Kingdom of Heaven Story of David T h e P o w e r of W o m e n T h e Deaths of the Chief Prophets

NEW

TESTAMENT

10. Infancy Gospel

27

n . T h e W o n d e r s of the Night of the Nativity

33

l l A . Additional Related Text

35

12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

36 43 44 48 50 55 56

T h e Magi Anecdote Concerning the Magi Infancy Gospel of T h o m a s The Abgar Legend Letter of Jesus on S u n d a y Observance T h e Mystical Tree T h e Death of J o h n the Baptist

19. Gospel of N i c o d c m u s 2 0 . T e x t s r e l a t i n g to t h e B e l o v e d D i s c i p l e

60 89

2 0 A . E p i s o d e s f r o m t h e Life o f J o h n , t h e B e l o v e d D i s c i p l e — . 8 9 20B. Fragment of an Apocalypse, a n d Death of John 95 2 1 . The Acts of Peter and Paul 99 2 2 . T h e Passion of the Apostle Philip 106 23. The E v e m e w Tongue

109

2 4 . Tramitus Mariae 2 5 . iTishTextoiVisioSancHPauli 26. T h e Vision of Adomnan

119 132 137

27. Antichrist 28. The Seven Journeys of the Soul 29. The SignsBefore Doomsday

149 151 153

Abbreviations

161

Notes to theTexts

163

Indexes

191

PREFACE Professor

}. H.

Charlesworth

I n t h e p r e s e n t decadG,in t h e e i g h t i e s . N e w T e s t a m e n t s c h o l a r s t h r o u g h o u t the world h a v e highlighted the central significance of the d o c u m e n t s usually relegated to church historians and categorized as N e w T e s t a m e n t A p o c r y p h a . T h e r e n e w e d i n t e r e s t i n t h e J e s u s of h i s t o r y Oesus research), the re-examination of the history o f the synoptic t r a d i t i o n , t h e fuller e x p l o r a t i o n o f t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n o f t h e s a y i n g s o f J e s u s , a n d t h e s e a r c h f o r p r e - 7 0 g o s p e l t r a d i t i o n s h a v e all b e e n enriched b y a study of the N e w Testament Apocrypha. Singularly i m p o r t a n t i s c e r t a i n l y t h e G o s p e l o f T h o m a s . T h e r e n e w e d i n t e r e s t in t h e A p o c r y p h a i s p l a c a r d e d b y t h e fact that R . E . B r o w n , in h i s p r e s i d e n t i a l a d d r e r a t o t h e Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, felt c o m p e l l e d to f o c u s on " T h e G o s p e l o f P e t e r a n d C a n o n i c a l G o s p e l P r i o r i t y " {NTS 3 3 1 1 9 8 8 ] 3 2 1 - 3 4 3 ) . I n Rechtgliiubigkeit und Ketzerei im altesten Christentum (BHT10; Tubing e n , 1 9 3 4 , 1 9 6 4 12d. ed]; E T in 1 9 7 1 ) W . B a u e r s h o w e d t h a t " h e r e s y " d o e s n o t a l w a y s p o s t d a t e " o r t h o d o x y " . I n h i s i n t r o d u c t i o n to t h e N e w Testament H. Koester e n d e a v o u r s to free the N e w Testament d o c u m e n t s f r o m t h e c a n o n o f t h e C h u r c h a n d to p l a c e t h e m in t h e i r h i s t o r i c a l s e t t i n g s , a m o n g o t h e r g o s p e l s , a c t s , l et t er s , a n d a p o c a l y p s e s . I n " I s t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t a F i e l d o f S t u d y ? " {Second Century 1 [ 1 9 8 1 ] 1 9 - 3 5 ) L . E . K e c k w a r n s u s t h a t t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t i s n o t an i s o l a t e d f i e l d o f r e s e a r c h . In o r d e r to u n d e r s t a n d t h e d o c u m e n t s l a t e r c o l l e c t e d i n t o t h e c a n o n o f t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t we m u s t a s k w h a t t h e a u t h o r s i n t e n d e d t o s a y to w h o m , w h o w a s r e a d i n g t h e m , a n d h o w w e r e t h e y b e i n g i n t e r p r e t e d . W e m u s t a l s o s e e k to c o m p r e h e n d w h a t o r a l a n d w r i t t e n s o u r c e s w e r e a v a i l a b l e to the i n t r a c a n o n i c a l a u t h o r s , w h y t h e y c h o o s e a n d s t r e s s e d s o m e o v e r o t h e r s , a n d w h a t v / r i t i n g s or t r a d i t i o n s t h e y w e r e r e a c t i n g a g a i n s t . It is n o w u n i v e r e a l l y r e c o g n i s e d t h a t s u c h c o n c e r n s t h r u s t u s d e e p i n t o a s t u d y of e x t r a c a n o n i c a l d o c u m e n t s , s o m e of w h i c h m a y c o n t a i n r e d a c t e d t r a d i t i o n s t h a t e v e n a n t e d a t e t h e c o m p o s i t i o n of the earliest canonical gospel.

i R r s H BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

In t h e p a s t o u r w o r k o n t h e A p o c r y p h a h a s b e e n g u i d e d b y t h e c l a s s i c s : b y Fabricius, Migne, James, and Hennecke-Schneemelcher-Wilson. N o w w e c a n b e n e f i t f r o m t h e m a g i s t e r i a l c o l l e c t i o n s b y M . E r b e t t a , Gli Apocrifidel Nuovo Testamento ( 1 9 6 6 - 1 9 7 5 ) , a n d b y L. Moraldi, Apocrifi del Nuovo Testamento ( 1 9 7 1 ) . In t h e e a r l y e i g h t i e s L ' A s s o c i a t i o n p o u r I ' E t u d e d e la L i t t e r a t u r e A p o c r y p h e C h r e t i e n n e , u n d e r t h e p r e s i d e n c y o f F . B o v o n , l a u n c h e d a p r o j e c t to p u b l i s h t h e " C h r i s t i a n A p o c r y p h a l L i t e r a t u r e " in t h e Series Apocryphorum, u n d e r t h e Corpus Christianorum. T h e C o r p u s A p o c r j q ^ h o r u m H i b e m i a e is o r g a n i z e d b y s o m e d i s t i n guished a n d revered specialists, including Father Martin M c N a m a r a , M S C . I a m p l e a s e d to h a v e p l a y e d a s m a l l p a r t i n e n c o u r a g i n g t h i s p r o j e c t . S o m e A p o c r y p h a a r e p r e s e r v e d o n l y i n O l d Irish a n d i m p o r t a n t r e c e n s i o n s o f o t h e r s a r e p r e s e r v e d in t h i s l a n g u a g e . W e k n o w o f t h e e a r l y c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n l r e l a n d a n d t h e O r i e n t . T o focus research o n t h e A p o c r y p h a H i b e r n i a e is to b r i n g i n t o v i e w t h e m i l i e u o f O l d I r e l a n d , its l i n k s w i t h t h e H o l y L a n d , a n d t h e c o m p l e x a n d c r e a t i v e t r a d i t i o n s that e n l i v e n e d t h e e a r l i e s t C h r i s t i a n s w h o e n d e a v o u r e d to i m a g i n e the lives of Jesus, his family, a n d his earliest followers. J. H. Charlesworth G e o r g e L . C o l l o r d P r o f e s s o r of N e w T e s t a m e n t L a n g u a g e a n d Literature, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J., 14 M a r c h 1989.

INTRODUCTION Martin M c N a m a r a , M S C 1.

History of Research W e are currently experiencing a m o r e than ordinary interest in the A p o c r y p h a of the N e w Testament a n d in both the A p o c r y p h a a n d P s e u d e p i g r a p h a o f t h e O l d . E v i d e n c e o f t h i s c a n b e s e e n in s u c h r e c e n t c o l l e c t i o n s o f t r a n s l a t i o n s a s The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (2 volumes; 1983,1984)' edited by P r o f e ^ o r J a m e s H. Charlesworth and in The Apocryphal Old Testament ( 1 9 8 4 ) e d i t e d b y H . F . S p a r k s ^ . It i s a l s o c l e a r f r o m t h e critical e d i t i o n o f t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t A p o c r y p h a , a c c o m p a n i c d b y translations, b e i n g prepared b y the Association p o u r I ' E t u d e d e la L i t t e r a t u r e A p o c r y p h e C h r e t i e n n e ( A E L A C ) a n d b e i n g p u b h s h e d in t h e Series Apocryphorum o f t h e Corpus Christianorum. Translations o f the A p o c r y p h a h a v e also recently been published, o r a r e c u r r e n t l y b e i n g m a d e , in m o d e m l a n g u a g e s s u c h a s D u t c h , G e r m a n , Italian, J a p a n e s e a n d S p a n i s h . It i s o n l y i n r e l a t i v e l y r e c e n t t i m e s t h a t t h e rich Irish t r a d i t i o n i n apocryphal literature has b e c o m e m o r e widely k n o w n and a p p r e d a l e d . M u c h o f t h i s I r i s h m a t e r i a l is in t h e Irish l a n g u a g e ( G a e l i c ) . It is not that the individual items have not been studied a n d published b y s c h o l a r s o f G a e l i c . Q u i t e t h e c o n t r a r y , in fact. T h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e m h a v e been edited from the manuscripts from the latter part o f the last c e n t u r y o n w a r d s , o f t e n w i t h t r a n s l a t i o n s into E n g l i s h , G e r m a n o r French. T h i s work, h o w e v e r , h a s been published in periodicals princ i p a l l y d e d i c a t e d to t h e s t u d y o f the C e l t i c l a n g u a g e s a n d l i t e r a t u r e s s u c h a s Eriu, Revue Celtique, Zeitschrift fur celtische Philologie, journals n o t e a s i l y a c c e s s i b l e t o s t u d e n t s i n t e r e s t e d in t h e A p o c r y p h a . A f a c t o r p a r t l y e x p l a i n i n g t h e g e n e r a l n e g l e c t o f t h e m a terial m a y h a v c b e e n t h e t e n d e n c y o f C e l t i c s c h o l a r s to a p p r o a c h t h e i r t r e a t m e n t o f t h e i t e m s from the linguistic standpoint, and a s individual pieces, rather than a s s o m a n y w i t n e ^ e s t o a n A p o c r y p h a t r a d i t i o n m u c h l a r g e r t h a n Irish o r the Celtic countries.

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

M . R . J a m e s p a i d a t t e n t i o n to s o m e o f t h e I r i s h e v i d e n c e o n t h e A p o c r y p h a in e s s a y s i n The Journal of Theological Studies in 1 9 0 9 / l O a n d 1 9 1 8 / 1 9 a n d i n o t h e r s t u d i e s besides^. T h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t e a r l y c o n t r i b u t i o n in t h e field w a s m a d e b y S t . J o h n D . S e y m o u r i n a s e r i e s o f s t u d i e s d u r i n g t h e 1920s^, c u l m i n a t i n g in h i s b o o k Irish Visions of the Other-World: a Contribution to the Study of Mediaeval Vision^ in 1 9 3 0 . A m o n g h i s m o r e significant contributions w a s an essay in 1923 on " T h e Irish V e r s i o n s o f t h e Transitus Maria^'^ in w h i c h h e g i v e s w h a t h e h i m s e l f d e s c r i b e s a s " a fairly full r e s u m e " o f t h e f o r m o f t h i s a p o c r y p h a l w r i t i n g a s f o u n d in Liber Flavus Fergusiorum o f t h e R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y , Dublin ( M S 23 O 48). Both S e y m o u r a n d James repeatedly c o m m e n t e d o n t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n Irish a p o c r y p h a l l i t e r a t u r e a n d that of the East, in particular with the A p o c r y p h a of the S y r i a n Church. In 1 9 3 7 R . W i i l a r d t o o k u p S e y m o u r ' s " f a i r l y full r e s u m e " of t h e L/6er flavus t e x t o f t h e Transitus Mariae^. H e a g r e e s with S e j r m o u r a n d J a m e s regarding its closecoimection with the Syriac form of the a p o c r y p h o n , a n d c o m m e n t s o n its v a l u e : " T h e r e c a n b e n o d o u b t t h a t i n t h e f i n a l e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e A p o c r y p h a r e l a t i v e to t h e D o r m i t i o n a n d A s s u m p t i o n , t h e Irish m u s t p l a y a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t " ^ In a f o o t n o t e h e s a y s : " I t is to b e h o p e d t h a t w e m a y h a v e s o o n a n a d e q u a t e e d i t i o n , w i t h full e d i t o r i a l a p p a r a t u s a n d t r a n s l a t i o n " ' . T h e first full t r a n s l a t i o n o f t h i s i m p o r t a n t Liber Fliwus text i s g i v e n b e l o w . A f e w y e a r s later o t h e r t e x t s o n t h e A s s u m p t i o n o f t h e V i r g i n w e r e p u b l i s h e d fay C h a r l e s D o n a h u e , t o g e t h e r w i t h a n e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e Irish t r a d i t i o n o f t h e Dormitio^°, i.e. a n e d i t i o n o f t h e Irish text o f O x f o r d , Bodleian, M S L a u d Misc. 6 1 0 , fol. 34-38, together with transl a t i o n , a n d c o g n a t e L a t i n text o f T r i n i t y C o l l e g e , D u b l i n , M S F . 5 . 3 , p p . 143-144. T h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e Irish e v i d e n c e f o r t h e full u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e Transitus Mariae was a g a i n s t r e s e d b y V i c t o r A r r a s in h i s e d i t i o n a n d s t u d y o f t h e E t h i o p i c text of t h i s a p o c r y p h o n ^ ' . H e r e g r e t s that t h e e d i t i o n o f t h e text is e x t r e m e l y r a r e e v e n in t h e l a r g e s t E u r o p e a n l i b r a r i e s , a n d e x p r e s s e s t h e h o p e t h a t it will b e r e p r i n t e d . S e y m o u r ' s v i e w o n t h e c l o s e r e l a t i o n of the Irish t o the S y r i a c t r a d i t i o n w a s a little later reinforced b y Michel van Esbroeck, another leading authority o n that p a r t i c u l a r a p o c r y p h a l writing'^.

INTRODUCTION

A m a j o r w o r k , s h o w i n g t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e Irish e v i d e n c e f o r a s t u d y o f t h e A p o c r y p h a , w a s p u b l i s h e d in 1 9 5 2 b y D r W i l l i a m W . H e i s t , The Fifteen Signs before Doomsday^^. In 1 9 5 4 P r o f e s s o r B e r n h a r d B i s c h o f f p u b l i s h e d h i s s e m i n a l e ^ y o n Irish e x c r e t e s a n d e x e g e s i s b e t w e e n A . D . 6 5 0 a n d 8 0 0 " . M o s t o f t h e t h i r t y - n i n e w r i t i n g s to w h i c h h e d r e w a t t e n t i o n w e r e of Irish o r i g i n o r h a d Irish c o n n e c t i o n s . A f e a t u r e o f t h i s l i t e r a t u r e , B i s c h o f f n o t e d , w a s t h e p r e s e n c e i n it o f passages of rare works, not otherwise preserved, including s o m e apocryphal items such as the Gospel according to the H e b r e w s (or the G o s p e l of t h e N a z a r e a n s ) ' ^ . I n t e r e s t i n t h e field o f e a r l y Irish e c c l e s i a s t i c a l l e a r n i n g , a n d o f Irish A p o c r y p h a , gradually increased d u r i n g the sixties a n d later. Further i t e m s o f Irish A p o c r y p h a w e r e b e i n g p u b l i s h e d a n d s t u d i e d . T h e m o s t significant event in this line w a s the identification b y Professor J a m e s C a r n e y o f a n e a r l y I r i s h text ( f r o m c a . A . D . 7 5 0 ) o f t h e I n f a n c y G o s p e l o f T h o m a s in a s e v e n t e e n t h c e n t u r y M S ( D u b l i n , N a t i o n a l L i b r a r y o f IrelandG 50). He published a provisional edition of thisin 1958 a n d the d e f i n i t i v e e d i t i o n i n 1 9 6 4 ' ^ A f u r t h e r m a j o r i t e m is t h e A d a m a n d E v e m a t e r i a l i n the Irish Saltair na Rann, w i t h ite rich a p o c r y p h a l c o n t e n t . T h e text of this section h a s b e e n edited with translarion b y D a v i d Greene and Fergus Kelly, with companion v o l u m e containing c o m m e n t a r y b y Brian Murdoch'*^. T h e changed scene gradually b e c a m e r e f l e c t e d i n w o r k s c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e A p o c r y p h a in g e n e r a l . In v o l u m e 1 o f h i s m o n u m e n t a l Repertorium biblicum medii aevi i n 1 9 4 0 F r i d e r i c u s S t e g m u l l e r lists s o m e 2 1 0 a p o c r y p h a l w o r k s , a n d o f t h e s e o n l y t h r e e o r f o u r a r e s a i d to b e r e p r e s e n t e d b y I r i s h texts^'.In t h e Supplementum to t h i s p u b l i s h e d in v o l . V I I ! ( 1 9 7 6 ) m a t t e r s i m p r o v e d s o m e w h a t , w i t h f i v e e n t r i e s f o r t h e Irish e v i d e n c e ' * . In 1 9 7 3 D a v i d D u m v i l l e p u b l i s h e d a m a j o r e s s a y o n b i b l i c a l A p o c r y p h a in t h e e a r l y Irish C h u r c h " . H e r e m a r k s that a r e m a r k a b l e a m o u n t o f a p o c r y p h a l material w a s demonstrably k n o w n in Ireland during the Old-Irish p e r i o d (i.e. p r i o r to A . D . 9 0 0 ) . H e p r e s e n t s e v i d e n c e s u ^ e s t i n g t h a t S p a i n m a y h a v e b e e n a n i m p o r t a n t i m m e d i a t e s o u r c e for s u c h l i t e r a t u r e , e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g the s e v e n t h c e n t u r y w h e n c o n t a c t s b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s s e e m to h a v e b e e n c l o s e s t . H e b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e r e is s o m e g r o u n d f o r a s u s p i c i o n that i n I r e l a n d t h e A p o c r j ^ h a b e n e f i t t e d f r o m a g r c a l c r tolerance than would h a v e been accorded t h e m elsewhere in W e s t e r n Europe^°.ln 1 9 7 5 t h e p r e s e n t w r i t e r p u b l i s h e d a n i n t r o d u c -

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

l i o n t o t h e s u b j e c t , t o g e t h e r w i t h a list o f all t h e Irish A p o c r y p h a k n o w n to h i m , a c c o m p a n i e d b y a s u m m a r y o c a m i n a t i o n o f e a c h g r o u p a n d i n d i v i d u a l item^'. I n h i s m o n o g r a p h The Pseudepigrapha and Modem Research,]amcs H . C h a r l e s w o r t h d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h i s w o r k a n d to t h e r i c h v e r n a c u l a r Irish l i t e r a t u r e o n t h e A p o c r y p h a ^ . L a t e r a s g u e s t l e c t u r e r to t h e Irish B i b l i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n in 1 9 8 5 , D r C h a r l e s w o r t h e n c o u r a g e d t h e A s s o c i a t i o n , t h r o u g h its P r e s i d e n t P r o f e s s o r S e a n F r e y n e a n d t h e p r e s e n t w r i t e r to f o r m a p l a n f o r t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e c o r p u s o f Irish A p o c r y p h a a n d p r o m i s e d t o g i v e f r e e l y o f h i s a d v i c e . In 1 9 8 4 t h e Irish Biblical A s s o c i a t i o n a p p r o v e d a p l a n to w o r k t o w a r d s the publication o f these Apocrypha. In t h e m e a n t i m e in E u r o p e ( L a u s a n n e - P a r i s ) i n t e r e s t e d s c h o l a r s w o r k i n g in t h e field w e r e l a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n s o f w h a t w o u l d b e c o m e the A s s o c i a t i o n for t h e S t u d y o f C h r i s t i a n A p o c r y p h a l L i t e r a ture (Association p o u r l ' E t u d e d e l a Litterature A p o c r y p h e Chretienne; abbreviated A E L A C ) a n d on Oct 8 1982 an a g r e e m e n t w a s e n t e r e d at B r u g e s b e t w e e n t h i s A s s o c i a t i o n a n d B r e p o l s P u b l i s h e r s to p u b l i s h i n t h e Corpus Christianorum a Series Apocryphorum, T h e scholars behind t h e p r o j e c t a r e q u i t e c l e a r a s to t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h i s n e w s e r i e s . T h e y e x p r e s s it a s f o l l o w s ^ ; W h y t h i s n e w s e r i e s ? T h e a n s w e r is s i m p l e : C h r i s t i a n a p o c r y p h a l l i t e r a t u r e h a s c o m e d o w n to u s in m a n y l a n g u a g e s . A n d t h e r e i s n o p l a c e f o r it in a s e r i e s d e d i c a t e d e x c l u s i v e l y to G r e e k a n d L a t i n . A n u m b e r of apocryphal texts h a v e reached u s not in their o r i g i n a l l a n g u a g e o r o n l y p a r t i a l l y in that l a n g u a g e b u t t h e y h a v e o f t e n left t r a c e s in v e r s i o n s p r e s e r v e d i n a g r e a t v a r i e t y o f languages (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Georgian, Arabic, Slavonic, Old Irish). T h i s n e w series a i m s a t b r i n g i n g togetherall these texts which contribute directly or indirectly to the knowle d g e o f a n a p o c r y p h a l t e x t . T h e a d v a n t a g e o f p r e s e n t i n g i n one v o l u m e t h e s e d i f f e r e n t w i t n e s s e s is t w o f o l d . T h e s t u d y o f t h e t e x t s is m a d e e a s i e r a n d it c a n b e s e e n h o w it h a s b e e n t r a n s m i t t e d a n d c h a n g e d in d i f f e r e n t t i m e s a n d p l a c e s . C o n t a c t w a s e s t a b l i s h e d w i t h t h e e x e c u t i v e o f A E L A C in 1 9 8 5 a n d sustained o v e r the following years, with the result that in June 1988 a n a g r e e m e n t w a s r e a c h e d b e t w e e n t h e Irish Biblical A s s o c i a t i o n , A E L A C ,

INTRODUCTION

Corpus Christianorum a n d B r e p o l s P u b l i s h e r s t o h a v e t h e Irish N e w T e s t a m e n t a p o c r j q s h a l l i t e r a t u r e critically e d i t e d , t r a n s l a t e d into E n g lish a n d p u b l i s h e d i n t h e Series Apocryphorum in a c c o r d with t h e principles g o v e r n i n g this Series. T h a i ^ s to t h e dedication o f the E d i t o r i a l B o a r d o f this n e w p r o j e c t ( P r o f e s s o r B r i a n O Cui'v, D u b l i n Institute for Advanced Studies,President; Dr Maire Herbert, Departm e n t o f Early a n d Medieval Irish, University College, C o r k a n d Professor Padraig 6 Fiannachta, Department of M o d e m Irish, St Patrick's College, Maynooth), w o r k h a s already begun o n the material h a v i n g to d o with A p o c r y p h a l Infancy Narratives. 2.

Definition of A p o c r y p h a A n y w o r k t r e a t i n g o f A p o c r y p h a o r P s e u d e p i g r a p h a will o f n e c e s s i t y h a v e t o c o m e t o t e r m s w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n o f d e f i n i t i o n , e v e n if it f a i l s t o s o l v e it s a t i s f a c t o r i l y . A c o l l e c t i o n o f texts u n d e r o n e o r o t h e r o f t h e s e n a m e s will n e e d to satisfy t h e editors a n d readers (not to s p e a k o f reviewers) as lo w h y s o m e i t e m s a r e i n c l u d e d a n d others omitted. Both h a v e also to deal lo s o m e extent with t h e question o f the C a n o n o f S c r i p t u r e . B y r e a s o n o f t h e n a t u r e o f t h e c a s e a c e r t a i n c o n f u s i o n will r e m a i n i n this m a t t e r , a s t h e r e w a s a m b i g u i t y i n t h e a n d e n t u s a g e o f t h e w o r d a p o c r y p h a ( w h i c h l i t e r a l l y m e a n s " t h i n g s that a r e h i d d e n " ) Traditionally the term h a s meant books, or sections o f books, which w e r e refused acceptance as part of the Canon o f Scripture. Furtherm o r e , with regard to t h e O l d Testament there h a s b e e n d i s a g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n Protestants a n d Catholics concerning these b o o k s a n d h o w to call t h e m . In t h e t r a d i t i o n a l P r o t e s t a n t u s a g e "Apocr)qDha" h a s b e e n t h e n a m e a p p l i e d t o t h e f o l l o w i n g fifteen b o o k s o r p o r t i o n s o f b o o k s : t h e First B o o k o f E s d r a s , t h e S e c o n d B o o k o f E s d r a s , T o b i t , J u d i t h , t h e Additions to t h e B o o k o f Esther, t h e W i s d o m o f S o l o m o n , Ecclesiasticus ( o r t h e W i s d o m o f J e s u s t h e S o n o f S i r a c h ) , B a r u c h , t h e L e t t e r o f J e r e m i a h d n s o m e e d i t i o n s i n c o r p o r a t e d a s t h e final c h a p t e r o f B a r u c h ) , the Prayer of Azariah a n d the Song o f the Three Y o u n g Men, Susanna, Bel a n d t h e D r a g o n , t h e P r a y e r o f M a n a s s e h , t h e F i r s t B o o k o f M a c cabees, the Second Book of Maccabees. While not accepted a s canonical t h e s e b o o k s h a v e b e e n h e l d in r e g a r d b y P r o t e s t a n t s a n d w e r e p r i n t e d in a s e p a r a t e s e c t i o n , u s u a l l y b o u n d b e t w e e n t h e O l d a n d N e w Testaments^ b u t s o m e t i m e s after t h e N e w Testament. N o w , all these

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

w o r k s , with the exceptions of the First B o o k o f Esdras, the S e c o n d [also called Fourth] Book of Esdras and the Prayer of Manasseh are reg a r d e d a s canonical b y Catholics. Since their canonici ty w a s a g r e e d o n later than that of the other O l d T e s t a m e n t b o o k s they are called deuterocanonical. T h e Books o f Esdras a n d the Prayer of Manasseh, C a t h o l i c s r e g a r d a n d call a p o c r y p h a l , a g r e e i n g i n t h i s w i t h n o n Catholic and general m o d e m usage. T h e other non-canonical b o o k s r e l a t i n g to t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t C a t h o l i c s call A p o c r y p h a , n o n - C a t h o l i c s a n d g e n e r a l m o d e m u s a g e n a m e t h e m P s e u d e p i g r a p h a . (It s h o u l d b e n o t e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t in t h e i n t e r e s t s o f u n i f o r m i t y , a n u m b e r o f C a t h o l i c s c h o l a r s a c c e p t t h e g e n e r a l m o d e m t e r m i n o l o g y with r e g a r d to t h e A p o c r y p h a a n d P s e u d e p i g r a p h a o f t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t . ) T h e q u e s t i o n i s f u r t h e r c o m p l i c a t e d b y t h e fact t h a t s o m e o f t h e b o o k s designated in general a s " P s e u d e p i g r a p h a " are regarded a s sacred a n d / o r c a n o n i c a l b y some E a s t e r n C h u r c h e s , e . g . t h e B o o k o f J u b i l e e s , the Book o f Enoch (Ethiopic Enoch), Third a n d Fourth Maccabees. A s a c o n s e q u e n c e , these two last-mentioned w o r k s are also included in s o m e o f the m o r e recent " C o m m o n " English Bible translations. W i t h r e g a r d to t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t t h e r e is g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h r e g a r d to t h e C a n o n , w h i c h o b v i a t e s t h e n e e d o f t h e d u a l d e s i g n a t i o n ' T s e u d e p i g r a p h a " and "Apocr3q3ha". T h e p r o b l e m w i t h r e g a r d to t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f ' T s e u d e p i g r a p h a " a n d " A p o c r y p h a " , however, does not end here. While there h a v e been s o m e l i s t s o f A p o c r y p h a that w e r e r e j e c t e d , o r d e s c r i b e d a s n o t t o b e u s e d i n c h u r c h , t h e r e i s r e a l l y n o official list o f w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s e i t h e r group a n d editors h a v e to choose a n d defend their choice'*. T h e d e f i n i t i o n will p r o b a b l y d e p e n d s o m e w h a t o n w h a t a p a r t i c u l a r e d i t o r o r g r o u p h a s in m i n d in t h e e d i t i o n o r s t u d y o f t h e p a r t i c u l a r w r i t i n g s . The organisation A E L A C , of which w e have already spoken, has a broader definition than m o s t , a n d o n e which takes account o f later national developments from earlier Apocrypha. T h e admissibility of a n y p a r t i c u l a r w r i t i n g m u s t n e e d s b e d i s c u s s e d i n d i v i d u a l l y in a c c o r d w i t h a n o v e r a l l d e f i n i t i o n a c c e p t e d for a p a r t i c u l a r c o l l e c t i o n o r project. W i t h r e g a r d to t h e Irish w r i t i n g s i n w h i c h w e a r e i n t e r e s t e d , a q u e s t i o n will a r i s e wi th r e g a r d to o n e o r o t h e r o f t h e m a s to w h e t h e r t h e y s h o u l d

INTRODUCTION

b e r e g a r d e d in a n y real s e n s e a s A p o c r y p h a . A c a s e in q u e s t i o n c o u l d b e ' T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e " w h i c h m a y b e m o r e in t h e n a t u r e o f a m e d i e v a l theological treatise than an apocryphal composition o r the t r a n s l a t i o n o f a n e a r l y o n e . T h i s h o l d s m o r e s o f o r t h e Irish t e x t s k n o w n as " T h e Tidings of the Resurrection" a n d ' T i d i n g s of D o o m s d a y " . A n o t h e r f a c t o r c o m p l i c a t i n g m a t t e r s in t h i s r e g a r d is t h e m o r e o r l e s s u b i q u i t o u s p r e s e n c e o f J e w i s h l e g e n d s , m i d r a s h o r h a g g a d o t h in e a r l y Christian writings, from which they passed over into medieval tradition. W h a t is t h e d i v i d i n g l i n e b e t w e e n c o m p o s i t i o n s u s i n g s u c h traditions and apocryphal w r i t i n g ? T o g e t h e r with the difficulties inherent in the nature of the A p o c r y p h a t h e m s e l v e s , m a n y Irish w r i t i n g s a p o c r y p h a l in c h a r a c t e r p r e s e n t a further p r o b l e m in that they a p p e a r to b e conscious imaginative compositions, a m a l g a m s of history, pseudo-history, the legendary a n d apocryphal. This holds in particular for compositions originating in I r e l a n d in t h e t e n t h c e n t u r y a n d l a t e r . In h i s b o o k The Sources of the Early History of Irelard, P r o f e s s o r J a m e s K e n n e y t h u s d e s c r i b e d t h i s l i t e r a t u r e in 1 9 2 9 ^ : Chief a m o n g the classes o f this later literature are: (6)-.. i m a g i n a t i v e e x p o s i t i o n s o f b i b l i c a l a n d c h u r c h h i s t o r y , o f cosmic and eschatological ideas, based partly on the scriptures but m a i n l y o n L a t i n a p o c r y p h a a n d legends of continental origin. A l t h o u g h little o f it h a s b e e n p r e s e r v e d in its o r i g i n a l f o r m t h r o u g h Irish m e d i a , a v a s t a m o u n t o f t h i s C h r i s t i a n m y t h i c a l l o r e m u s t h a v e b e e n c i r c u l a t i n g in I r e l a n d i n t h e t e n t h , e l e v e n t h a n d t w e l f t h c e n t u r i e s , s o m e o f it v e r y c u r i o u s a n d u n u s u a l a n d b u t little k n o w n e l s e w h e r e in E u r o p e . It w a s all u s e d f r e e l y a n d f u l l y b y w h a t w e m a y call p o p u l a r w r i t e r s in Irish o n r e l i g i o u s s u b j e c t s . I n d e e d , all t h i s l a t e r Irish e c c l e s i a s t i c a l l i t e r a t u r e ... is characterised b y an intense interest in the supernatural a n d the e s c h a t o l o g i c a l , a n d a c o n s t a n t d e l i g h t in t h e w o n d e r f u l a n d t h e bizarre. G i v e n t h i s f e a t u r e o f Irish m e d i e v a l l i t e r a t u r e a n d t h e i n h e r e n t d i f f i c u l t y in d e f i n i n g A p o c r y p h a , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e fact t h a t t h e s t u d y of t h e Irish m a t e r i a l i s still i n its initial s t a g e s , it w o u l d a p p e a r u n w i s e to

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

a p p l y t o o rigid a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e t e r m a t t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t . It m a y b e p o s s i b l e to d e f i n e m o r e p r e c i s e l y a s e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e material progresses.

3.

T r a n s m i s s i o n o f A p o c r y p h a l W r i t i n g s in I r e l a n d In o u r s t u d y o f t h e k n o w l e d g e a n d u s e o f t h e A p o c r y p h a i n I r e l a n d w e m u s t take o f note of the nature of the evidenceat o u r disposal, b e t w e e n direct a n d indirect transmission. W e h a v e direct transmission w h e n w e h a v e actual texts of the Apocrypha a s e v i d e n c e . S o m e t i m e s , w h e n t h i s i s l a c k i n g , w e h a v e to g o o n i n d i r e c t t r a n s m i s s i o n , t h r o u g h c i t a t i o n s o f t h e w o r k in q u e s t i o n — w h e r e t h i s i s a v a i l a b l e . I n d i r e c t t r a n s m i s s i o n is s o m e t h i n g to b e u s e d w i t h c a u t i o n . C i t a t i o n s o r e c h o e s a r e n o t in t h e m s e l v e s e v i d e n c e f o r t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e e n t i r e a p o c r y p h a l w o r k . T h e y m i g h t h a v e c o m e to a w r i t e r i n d i r e c t l y t h r o u g h s o m e other work. However, such dtations can be very illuminating, ( s p e c i a l l y w h e n t h e r e a r e a n u m b e r o f t h e m , a n d c a n g r e a t l y a d d to t h e likelihood o f the k n o w l e d ^ a n d u s e of an entire apocryphal work.

4.

Historical Sketch o f the A p o c r y p h a in I r e l a n d ^ Writers o n Latin ecdesiastical learning in early Ireland tend to d i v i d e t h e a g e i n t o t w o p e r i o d s : t h e f o u n d a t i o n a l a g e , until A . D . 8 0 0 , a n d a n o t h e r until t h e e n d i n g o f the o l d e r o r d e r t h r o u g h t h e c o m i n g o f t h e N o r m a n s , ca. A.D. 1200. Since the bulk of thelrish apocryphal writings a r e i n Irish r a t h e r t h a n i n L a t i n , m o r e n a t u r a l d i v i s i o n s a r e ( 1 ) u n t i l A.D. 900; (2) from 9 0 0 until 1200; (3) the N o r m a n period, A . D . 12001500.

i.

From

the Beginning

to A.D.

900.

D u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d r e l i g i o u s e d u c a t i o n in I r e l a n d s e e m s to h a v e b e e n predominantly, although by no means exclusively, through the m e d i u m of Latin. Scholars w h o h a v e studied the e v i d e n c e are agreed that it w a s a p e r i o d i n w h i c h A p o c r y p h a w e r e w i d e l y u s e d . In t h e w o r d s of Professor Bernhard Bischoff:

INTRODUCTION

In t h e e a r l y p e r i o d o f Irish C h r i s t i a n i t y , o n e in m a n y r e s p e c t s still dark, a refuge w a s offered for portion o f the heretical a n d apocryphal literature which o n the Continent w a s destined to d i s a p p e a r . T h e a u t h e n t i c f o r m of P e l a g i u s ' c o m m e n t a r y o n t h e PauUne Epistles, a n d portion of the c o m m e n t a r y on the Psalms b y Theodore of Mopsuestia, were preserved there. Traces of the t r a n s m i s s i o n o f t h e Gospel according to the Hebrews a n d o f o t h e r apocrypha also point to I r e l a n d ^ . D a v i d D u m v i l l e m a k e s sonu^what the s a m e point t o w a r d s the e n d of his study of the subject^: W e have, then, a confused picture o f the position of the a p o c r y p h a in t h e e y e s o f t h e e a r l y Irish C h u r c h . W h a t is p e r h a p s c l e a r e s t o f all is t h a t , b e g i n n i n g first w i t h t h e s e m a n t i c e v i d e n c e — w h i c h pointed out the absence o f a clear dividing line protecting the exclusivity of the C a n o n — a n d then considering the use of apocryphal w o r k s in liturgical a n d exegetical contexts, the e a r l y Irish s e e m e d to h a v e a l l o w e d t h e m s e l v e s a r e m a r k a b l e f r e e d o m to u s e t h e a p o c r y p h a a n d a p p e a r g e n e r a l l y to h a v e h e l d s u c h w o r k s i n a high regard which would have been impermissibleelscwhere. W h e n w e t r y to d e t e r m i n e w h i c h A p o c r y p h a w e r e k n o w n a n d u s e d d u r i n g t h i s e a r l y p e r i o d , w e p o s s e s s o n l y o n e full t e x t , i.e. t h e I n f a n c y G o s p e l o f T h o m a s (in I r i s h ) , a n d t h i s in a f o r m w h i c h s e e m s to i n d i c a t e t h a t it r e p r e s e n t s a n I r i s h c o m p o s i t i o n f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l ^ . It h a s b e e n a r g u e d t h a t t h e a p o c r y p h o n f r o m w h i c h t h e Irish m a t e r i a l o n t h e d e a t h a n d a s s u m p t i o n o f M a r y ( t h e Transitids Mariae) d e r i v e s m u s t h a v e b e e n b r o u g h t to I r e l a n d in t h e s e v e n t h c e n t u r j ^ ^ T h e Irish t e x t s in q u e s t i o n , h o w e v e r , b o t h L a t i n a n d I r i s h , a r e p r e s e r v e d i n fifteenth c e n t u r y M S S , a n d t h e l a n g u a g e o f t h e I r i s h m a t e r i a l is c e r t a i n l y later t h a n t h e s e v e n t h c e n t u r y . S o u r c e a n a l y s i s o f w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e Irish m a t e r i a l f r o m t h i s p e r i o d fills in t h e p i c t u r e . F r o m s u c h a n a n a l y s i s o f t h e a p p a r e n t l y H i b e r n o L a t i n t e x t S t G a l l o n S t i f l s b i b l i o t h e k M S 9 0 8 ( M S 8-9 c e n t . ) C h a r l e s D . W r i g h t is a b l e to d e d u c e t h a t t h e c o m p i l e r s o f t h e f l o r i l e g i u m h a d a c c e s s t o , a n d m a d e u s e of, a w i d e r a n g e o f a p o c r y p h a l lore^°. W r i g h t n o t e s s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e u s e o f 4 E s d r a s , t h e Vita Adaeet Evae, t h e s o - c a l l e d

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

" T h r e e Utterances" sermon (which dramatises the contrasting fate o f a g o o d a n d a b a d soul a s they are taken from their b o d i e s at the m o m e n t o f d e a t h ) , a n a c c o u n t o f the f o r m a t i o n a n d n a m i n g o f A d a m deriving from eastern apocryphal sources but distinct from the A d a m Octipartite apocryphon. T h e r e a r e points o f contact, too, with the Questions of Bartholomew. T h e r e is a n a b u n d a n c e o f a p o c r y p h a l r e f e r e n c e s in t h e Irish ( G a e l i c ) P o e m s of Biathmac edited by P r o f e ^ o r James Carney and assigned by h i m to c a . A . D . 7 5 0 ^ ' . T h e s a m e h o l d s t r u e for a n u m b e r o f t h e o t h e r L a t i n a n d v e r n a c u l a r Irish w r i t i n g f r o m b e f o r e A . D . 9 0 0 w h i c h still await publication o r proper source analysis. a.

From A.D. 900 to A.D.

1200.

A n e w e r a in Irish l e a r n i n g b e g a n a b o u t A . D . 9 0 0 . J a m e s K e n n e y h a s t h i s to s a y a b o u t c e r t a i n a s p e c t s o f t h e l i t e r a t u r e o f t h e n e w era.-'' T h e n e w a g e is d i s t i n g u i s h e d n o t o n l y b y p a r t i a l l y o r i g i n a l w o r k s in I r i s h , b u t a l s o b y e x t e n s i v e t r a n s l a t i o n s f r o m L a t i n i n t o I r i s h . A n d the greater part of this literature, a l t h o u g h falling into s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t c l a s s e s , h a s its o w n c o m m o n a n d d i s t i n c t i v e note. O n e o f t h e s e c l a s s e s is t h e a p o c r y p h a l l i t e r a t u r e a n d t h e i m a g i n a t i v e expositions based mainly o n Latin Apocrypha a n d legends of continental origin, a s noted a b o v e in an earlier citation from K e n n e y ' s w o r k . T h e b u l k o f t h e Irish t e x t s of t h e A p o c r y p h a d a l e f r o m t h i s period, even though a n u m b e r o f them are preserved in m a n u s c r i p t s f r o m a l a t e r d a t e . F r o m t h e e a r l i e r p a r t o f t h e p e r i o d w e h a v e Saltair na Rann ( " T h e P s a l t e r o f t h e ( Q u a t r a i n s " ) , g e n e r a l l y a s s u m e d to h a v e b e e n c o m p o s e d A . D . 9 8 8 " . T h i s w o r k n\akes e x t e n s i v e u s e o f t w o A p o c r y p h a : f o r t h e o p e n i n g p a r t The Book of Adam and Eve ( o r The Apocalypse of Moses) a n d , f o r t h e final p a r t , t h e Apocalypse (^Thomas. A m o n g t h e Irish a p o c r y p h a l c o m p o s i t i o n s f r o m a r o u n d t h e t e n t h a n d e l e v e n t h c e n t u r i e s w e h a v e Eve's Lament, t h e Evernew Tongue (Tenga Bithnua) a n d The Tiw Sorrows of the Kingdom of Heaven [Da Bron Flalha Nime). F r o m t h e t w e l f t h c e n t u r y w e h a v e t h e Vision ofTundaP^. There

INTRODUCTION

a r e m a n y o t h e r s b e s i d e s t h i s , m a n y o f t h e m p r e s e r v e d in m a n u s c r i p t s f r o m the fifteenth c e n t u r y or later, a n d which, for this reason, w e shall m e n t i o n in t h e n e x t s e c t i o n . in.

From A.D. 1200

onwards.

T h e r e a r e indications that the N o r m a n conquest in 1169 a n d later s e r i o u s l y a f f e c t e d I r i s h L a t i n e c c l e s i a s t i c a l c u l t u r e . O n e o f t h e latest r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h i s s e e m s to b e The Gospels of Mdel Brigte { M S . B L H a r l e y 1 8 0 2 ) , w r i t t e n i n t h e A r m a g h s c r i p t o r i u m in 1 1 3 8 . A l t h o u g h t h i s b r a n c h o f l e a r n i n g h a s n o t b e e n f u l l y r e s e a r c h e d , it d o e s a p p e a r that the strictly Latin culture f r o m the later period represents the n e w e r Continental interests rather than the traditional a n d earlier Irish o n e s . Irish i n t e r e s t i n a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l , h o w e v e r , c o n t i n u e d after the period of the N o r m a n conquest, from 1169 o n w a r d s . T e x t s c o n t i n u e d to b e c o p i e d . In f a c t t h e l a r g e s t c o l l e c t i o n s of t h e m a r e i n manuscripts from the later period. O f these manuscript w e need m e n t i o n o n l y t w o , t h e Leabhar Breac ( D u b l i n , R o y a l I r i s h A c a d e m y 2 3 P 1 6 ) , - ^ a n d t h e Liber Flavus Fergusiorum ( D u b l i n , R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y 2 3 O 4 8 ) . T h e Leabhar Breac w a s c o m p i l e d b y o n e o f t h e M a c E g a n s o f M u s c r i g e - T i r e , i n n o r t h e r n C o . T i p p e r a r y , in o r a b o u t A . D . 1 4 1 1 . !t h a s the following items of apocrypha! material: D T h e Passion of Stephen; 2 ) R e v e ! a t i o n o f t h e b o d y o f S t e p h e n to t h e P r e s b y t e r L u c i a n u s ; 3 ) T h e Gospel of Nicodemus; 4)Passion of Peter a n d Paul; 5)Passion of BarUiolomew; 6)Passion of Andrew; 7)Passion of Philip the Apostle; 8)Pedigrees a n d m a n n e r of death, etc. of the Apostles; 9)The m a n n e r o f d e a t h e t c . o f t h e P r o p h e t s ; 1 0 ) T h e P a s s i o n o f L o n g i n u s ; 11 ) P a 5 s i o n of J o h n the Baptist. T o g e t h e r with this, there is the section (12) on the T e a c h i n g o f t h e M a c c a b e e s a n d ( 1 3 ) a l o n g tract o n b i b l i c a l h i s t o r y a n d p s e u d o - h i s t o r y a s f o l l o w s : a ) o n t h e c r e a t i o n a n d fall o f A d a m ; b ) o n t h e history of the children of Israel, including a section on the c o v e n a n t o f t h e L o r d w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n o f Israel a n d a n o t h e r o n t h e A r k o f t h e Covenant. T h e N e w Testament section follows immediately o n this with the following items: " O n t h e S e v e n t e e n W o n d e r s o f the W o r l d on the Night Christ was b o r n " ; " O n the T h r e e Gospels read on the Night Christ w a s b o m " ; " O n the Shepherds of B e t h l e h e m " ; " O n the W i s e M e n " ; " O n the Massacre of the Innocents"; " O n the R i g h t into E g y p t " ; " O n the Death of H e r o d " ; " O n the Death of Zacharias"; " O n the Baptism of Christ", " O n the A p o s t l e s " ; " O n the H o u s e h o l d o f Christ";

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

" O n the Beginning of Christ's Preaching"; " O n the Avenging o f the Blood of Christ". S c a t t e r e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e Uber Flavus, a n d w i t h o u t a n y p a r t i c u l a r order being apparent, w e have the followingApocrypha o r apocryp h a l p i e c e s : T h e Fall o f L u c i f e r a n d t h e Fall o f A d a m ; T h e P e n a n c e o f A d a m ; D i s t a n c e o f t h e G a r d e n o f E d e n to t h e H o u s e o f t h e T r i n i t y ; Dd Brdrt Flatha Nime ( " T h e T w o S o r r o w s o f t h e K i n g d o m of H e a v e n " ) , a p o c r y p h a l t e x t o n t h e B i r t h a n d U p b r i n g i n g o f M a r y ; P r o s e text o n t h e Seventeen W o n d e r s o f the Night o f Christ's Birth; Prose Version o f the L e t t e r o f J e s u s o n S u n d a y O b s e r v a n c e ; Irish T r a n s l a t i o n o f t h e A c t s o f Pilate; a Special text on the H a r r o w i n g o f Hell; Dialogue o f O u r L a d y a n d S t A n s e l m o n t h e P a s s i o n ; T e x t o n t h e F o u r Kindfe o f W o o d f r o m w h i c h C h r i s t ' s C r o s s w a s m a d e ; t h e F i n d i n g o f t h e T r u e C r o s s ; Irish Translation o f the Passion of St A n d r e w ; texts with E p i s o d e s from the L i f e o f t h e B e l o v e d D i s c i p l e {Beatha Eoin Bniinne); a n Irish t r a n s l a t i o n o f t h e Visio Sancti Pauli; T h e P a s s i o n o f P h i l i p ; R e c e n s i o n II o f T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e ; t h e Tramitus Mariae (Timna Muire); V i s i o n o f t h e T w o D e a t h s ; R e v e l a t i o n of t h e N e x t L i f e m a d e to a Priest; s p e c i a l t e x t o f the Fifteen Signs before D o o m s d a y ; the S e v e n Heavens. T h e Uber Flavus w a s c o m p i l e d i n t h e fifteenth c e n t u r y . O n e f e a t u r e o f s o m e o f t h e a p o c r y p h a l t e x t s it c a r r i r a is that t h e f o r m o f s o m e o f t h e apocryphal texts is denronstrably old. T h i s is especially the case with r e g a r d t o t h e Transitus Maria^ p i e c e a n d a l s o section o f t h e Beatha Eoin Bruinne". Apocrjrpha were also very m u c h part o f the Christianity, a n d o f the n e w r e l i g i o u s o r d e r s , t h a t c a m e w i t h t h e N o r m a t w , e v e n if t h e s e w e r e o f a s o m e w h a t d i f f e r e n t k i n d f r o m t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y Irish o n e s . W e d o h a v e s o m e A p o c r y p h a in L a t i n f r o m this l a t e r p e r i o d , all o f t h e m a p p a r e n t l y r e p r e s e n t i n g n e w t e x t f o r m s b r o u g h t in f r o m a b r o a d . W e n o w k n o w o f f o u r L a t i n t e x t s f r o m t h i s p e r i o d w h i c h w e r e u s e d in I r e l a n d , e v e n if n o t c o m p o s e d t h e r e , b u t t h e r e a r e p r o b a b l y m o r e which h a v e not yet been identified. T h e s e four are a s follows; 1.

L o n d o n , B L R o y a l 13.AJaV ( 1 3 t h - 1 4 t h cent.)^*. A c o m p o s i t e m a n u s c r i p t , w r i t t e n b y n i n e d i f f e r e n t h a n d s . It b e l o n g e d a t o n e t i m e to t h e D o m i n i c a n c o n v e n t in L i m e r i c k , I r e l a n d . C o n t a i n s a v a r i e t y o f d o c u -

INTRODUCTION

m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g s o m e A p o c r y p h a : f o l . l 9 5 v - 1 9 7 r ( b y t h e fifth h a n d ) , a short Latin Gospel o f Nicodemus^'; fol. 260v-270v, the G o s p e l o f P s e u d o - M a t t h e w , f o l l o w e d ( 2 7 0 v ) b y a text o n t h e A p o s t i e s a n d a n o t h e r ( 2 7 1 - r - v ) o n t h e w o m e n o f t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t ; t h e n 2 7 1 v2 7 2 r : / n assumpHone heatae Mariae... Exp\jihkrunt unusquisque ad patriam. I a n G i j s e l c l a s s e s t h e P s e u d o - M a t t h e w text a s Q ' a S * ' . H e b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e Q f a m i l y p r o b a b l y o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e 11 th c e n t u r y . T h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e m a n u s c r i p t s r e p r e s e n t i n g it a r e e i t h e r F r e n c h o r E n g l i s h . 2.

T r i n i t y C o l l e g e , D u b l i n 6 0 4 ; w r i t t e n i n B r i t a i n c a . 1 4 5 0 * ' . It c o n t a i n s t h e following A p o c r y p h a : fol. 55-63, the Gospel o f N i c o d e m u s ; fol. 79-83 ( b y a d i f f e r e n t h a n d ) , P s e u d o - M a t t h e w . Gijsel e l a t e s t h i s f s e u d o M a t t h e w t e x t a s Q'a4*^.

3.

Trinity College, Dublin 312; 14th cent.,second part. A manuscript w r i t t e n in B r i t a i n i n s e v e r a l A n g l o - S a x o n h a n d s " , in f o l . 1 2 7 v - 1 3 7 v w e h a v e P s e u d o - M a t t h e w , which Gijsel classes as C?al**.

4.

O x f o r d , R a w l i n s o n D 1 2 3 6 , 1 3 t h cent*^. A p p a r e n t l y o f E n g l i s h o r i g i n , t h i s M S b e l o n g e d t o t h e C i s t e r c i a n m o n a s t e r y o f St M a r y ' s , D u b l i n : M o n a s t e r i u m b e a t a c M a r i a e V i r g i n i s i u x t a Ehiblin. T h i s M S c o n t a i n s o n l y a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l a s f o l l o w s : 1 .fol. l - 2 2 r . Vita S a n c t a e M a r i a e ; 2. fol. 22r-37v, P s e u d o - M a t t h e w ; 3 . 37v-42v, E v a n g e l i u m T h o m a e , w i t h o u t title; 4 . a t e x t , w i t h o u t tide, c o n n e c t e d w i t h p r e c e d i n g : I n c . Haecetaliaplurimafectt!esuspraedicandoetextoIlendo....Expl. ...Etaccepit omnes stupor de uerbo hoc et dicebant Benedictus qui uenit in nomine dominiS.fdl. 44v-49v, A n AssumpHo Mariae of Pseudo-Molito; 6. fol. 4 9 r - 6 0 r , D e a e d i f i c a t i o n e t e m p l i d o m i n i e t o r i g i n e Jigni c r u d s d o r m n i n o s l r i Icsu C h r i s t i ; 6.fol. 6 0 r - ^ r , E v a n g e l i u m N i c o d e m i ; 7.fol. 7 2 r - 7 4 v , V i n d i c t a Salvatoris. Gijsel classifies the text o f P s e u d o - M a t t h e w a s A'e4*^, a f a m i l y r e p r e s e n t e d b y o n e F r e n c h , o n e S w e d i s h a n d t w o English MSS. A Latin apocryphal writing that w a s brought into the island d u r i n g t h i s s a m e p e r i o d w a s The Letter ofLentulus, p r o b a b l y c o m p o s e d in t h e t h i r t e e n t h c e n t u r y . It w a s t r a n s l a t e d i n t o Irish i n t h e s i x t e e n t h , a n d w a s a p p a r e n t l y o n e o f t h e latest t e x t s t o b e t r a n s l a t e d i n t o t h i s v e m a c u la^*^

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

5.

E x t e n t o f Irish A p o c r y p h a l L i t e r a t u r e In t h e w o r k The Apocrypha in the irish Church^ t h e a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l , o r w h a t m i g h t b e s u s p e c t e d a s A p o c r y p h a , k n o w n i n 1 9 7 5 is l i s t e d u n d e r 108 distinct h e a d i n g s . S o m e of these h e a d i n g h a v e a n u m b e r of s u b h e a d i n g s , a s f o r i n s t a n c e n o . 9 1 , " T h e V i s i o n o f S t P a u l (Visio Pauli; Apocalypsis Pauli)", w i t h s u b d i v i s i o n s 9 1 A to 9 1 F , a n d 1 0 4 , " T h e S i g n s b e f o r e D o o m s d a y " w i t h s u b d i v i s i o n s 1 0 4 A to 1 0 4 J . W h i l e t h i s b r i n g s t h e total n u m b e r a b o v e 1 0 8 , i n a n o t h e r s e n s e t h e h i g h e r f i g u r e is s o m e w h a t d e c e p t i v e s i n c e s o m e o f t h e titles c o n c e r n A p o c r y p h a w h i c h m a y c o n c e i v a b l y h a v e b e e n k n o w n in I r e l a n d , b u t o f w h o s e p r e s e n c e ttiere w e h a v e n o c l e a r e v i d e n c e . M o s t o f t h i s Irish m a t e r i a l h a s to d o w i t h t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t . T h e list o f i t e m s d e a l i n g w i t h t h e O l d Testament is relatively limited. F r o m Sflltair na Rann t h e r e i s e v i d e n c e for t h e p r e s e n c e i n I r e l a n d o f tiie ViUi Adae et Evae ( t h e Apocalypsis Mosis). O t h e r a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l with O l d T e s t a m e n t t h e m e s a r e c o m p o s i t i o n s on the Creation a n d Fall, D e operibus Dei, t h e P e n a n c e o f A d a m , A d a m O c t i p a r t i t e , a P o e m o n A d a m ' s h e a d , t h e Sex Aelates hAundi. B a s e d o n t h e b i b l i c a l e v i d e n c e o n E n o c h a n d Elijah w e have ' T h e T w o S o r r o w s of the K i n g d o m of H e a v e n " ; there is legendary or apocryphal material connected with D a v i d a n d S o l o m o n , w h i c h s o m e t i m e s a p p e a r s to b e n o t m u c h rrrore t h a n a g a r b l e d u s e o f b i b l i c a l e v i d e n c e . W e h a v e A p o c r y p h a u s i n g III a n d IV E s d r a s , a n d a p i e c e o n t h e D e a t h s o f t h e F o u r M a j o r P r o p h e t s . T o g e t h e r w i t h this w e h a v e m u c h material, s o m e with a p o c r y p h a l r o o t s , o n t h e s o j o u r n o f t h e I s r a e l i t e s in E g y p t , o n t h e E x o d u s a n d t h e c o n n e c t i o n o f this with the ancestors o f the Gaels. W e have a few Infancy Narratives*', some of the Abgar material, the Letter o f Lentulus on the personal a p p e a r a n c e o f Jesus, the Letter on S u n d a y observance,and textson the Lord's Day. W e h a v e s o m e o f the generally k n o w n apocryphal material on John the Baptist, a n d texts c o m b i n i n g t h i s w i t h Irish l e g e n d s o n t h e d r u i d M o g h R u i t h . T h e t r a d i t i o n a l a c c o u n t s o n H a r r o w i n g o f Hell a r e a m o n g t h e i t e m s , b u t also s o m e other material o n the s a m e t h e m e w h i c h appears to b e m o r e p a r t i c u l a r to Ireland^".

INTRODUCTION

T h e a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l f r o m I r e l a n d o n t h e A p o s t l e s is q u i t e e x t e n s i v e ^ ^ T h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h i s r e p r e s e n t s t h e t r a d i t i o n a l l y k n o w n Acta Apostolorum Apocrypha. A certain n u m b e r of the items, h o w e v e r , are t h u s f a r k n o w n o n l y f r o m Irish s o u r c e s , o r f r o m o n e o r o t h e r r a r e text^. T h e Irish material on death a n d a s s u m p t i o n of the Blessed Virgin M a r y i s l i m i t e d in e x t e n t , b u t r e p r e s e n t s a v e r y o l d f o r m o f t h e a p o c r y p h a l Transitus Maria^. W e h a v e a wealth of Irish apocryphal material on the O t h e r w o r l d ^ . S o m e o f it r e p r t ^ n t s a p o c r y p h a k n o w n e l s e w h e r e . A c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f it, h o w e v e r , s e e m s peculiarly Irish. 6.

T h e Importance o f the Irish A p o c r y p h a A l l t h e a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l o f a c o u n t r y is o f i m p o r t a n c e f o r o n e r e a s o n o r a n o t h e r . It m a y b e a r w i t n e s s to w o r k s g e n e r a l l y k n o w n , a n d m a y b e u s e f u l f o r e v i d e n c e f o r p a r t i c u l a r r e c e n s i o n s o f t h e s e . It m a y contain evidence for early A p o c r y p h a w h i c h elsewhere h a v e either b e e n l o s t o r o n l y p a r t i a l l y a t t e s t e d . T h e r e is a l s o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t s u c h A p o o y p h a may represent n e w national, a n d possibily vernacular, creations from earlier apocryphal material. T h e A p o c r y p h a k n o w n f r o m Irish t r a d i t i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t f r o m a l l t h e s e s t a n d p o i n t s . T h e r e a r e further reasons for the i m p o r t a n c e o f the Irish A p o c r y p h a . F o r i n s t a n c e , s h o u l d w e s u c c e e d i n s i t u a t i n g a n i n d i v i d u a l Irish apocryphal item within the overall history of that given w o r k , w e m a y b e a b l e to d e t e r m i n e t h e s o u r c e , t h e a r e a , f r o m w h i c h it w a s first b r o u g h t to I r e l a n d , f r o m w h e r e it u l t i m a t e l y d e r i v e d a n d e v e n t h e i n t e r m e d i a r i e s in b e t w e e n . O n e s c h o l a r l y p o s i t i o n m a i n t a i n s t h a t i n Ireland w e have very early Apocrypha of E a s t e m or even Syrian o r i g i n , w h i c h i n t h e v i e w o f s o m e c a m e to I r e l a n d t h r o u g h V i s i g o t h i c S p a i n ^ . F u t u r e r e s e a r c h will test t h e v a l i d i t y o f s u c h viewre. T h e n a g a i n , Irish a p o c r y p h a h a v e b e e n u s e d a s e v i d e n c e o f Irish i n f l u e n c e o n m e d i e v a l c o n t i n e n t a l E u r o p e a n l i t e r a t u r e , p a r t i c u l a r l y in t h e a r e a o f V i s i o n a r y L i t e r a t u r e a n d t h e S i g n s b e f o r e D o o m s d a y ^ * . H e r e , a s in t h e f o r m e r c a s e , o n l y d e t a i l e d s t u d y o f t h e Irish m a t e r i a l w i t h i n t h e c o m p l e t e c o n t e x t o f t h e A p o c r y p h a w i l l p e r m i t a s o l u t i o n to q u e s t i o n s posed.

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

7.

R e a s o n for t h e P r e s e n t C h o i c e T h e t e x t s s e l e c t e d f o r t r a n s l a t i o n a n d p u b l i c a t i o n in t h i s v o l u m e h a v e b e e n c h o s e n for a v a r i e t y o f r e a s o n s . O n e g u i d i n g p r i n c i p l e h a s b e e n t h e d e s i r e to p r e s e n t t h e r e a d e r w i t h a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s e l e c t i o n o f t e x t s , w i t h r e g a r d l?oth to t h e O l d a n d t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t e , a n d w i t h i n t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t A p o c r y p h a w i t h r e g a r d to t h e v a r i o u s d i v i s i o n s Infancy Narrative, Public Life, Passion Narratives, A p o c r y p h a l Acts o f t h e A p o s t l e s , t h e Transitus Mariae, V i s i o n s o f t h e O t h e r w o r l d . S i n c e t h e A p o c r y p h a t r a d i t i o n a l l y k n o w n a r e r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e in E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n , tliere s e e m s n o v a l i d r e a s o n for i n c l u d i n g in a v o l u m e s u c h a s t h i s E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n s o f s u c h I r i s h t e x t s , w h e n t h e y d i f f e r little, if a t a l l , f r o m t h a t o f t h e s t a n d a r d c o l l e c t i o n s . H o w e v e r , i n o r d e r t o h a v e t h i s t y p e o f Irish A p o c r y p h a a l s o r e p r e s e n t e d , o n e o r o t h e r o f t h e I r i s h t e x t s o f t h i s k i n d a r e h e r e i n c l u d e d . A n o t h e r m a j o r p r i n c i p l e in t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e m a t e r i a l i s to t r a n s U t e h e r e t e x t s o f w h i c h t r a n s l a t i o n s h a v e t h u s f a r n o t b e e n p u b l i s h e d . In c a s e s w h e r e b o t h t h e original a n d an English translation h a v e been available, our a i m has b e e n t o t r a n s l a t e f r o m a m a n u s c r i p t text di f f e r e n t from that p r e v i o u s l y used. T h i s i s t h e first s u c h c o l l e c t i o n o f Irish A p o c r y p h a t o b e p r o d u c e d . T h e E d i t o r s t r u s t t h a t it w i l l g i v e a g o o d i n d i c a t i o n o f t h e e x t e n t o f t h i s b r a n c h o f Irish l i t e r a t u r e a n d t h a t it will s e r v e s c h o l a r s a n d t h e g e n e r a l r e a d e r w h i l e w e a w a i t t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e f u l l c o r p u s o f Irish A p o c r j r p h a . T h i s w e h o p e to s e e p r o d u c e d i n t h e n o t t o o d i s t a n t f u t u r e .

8.

T h e N o t e s to t h e T e x t s G i v e n t h e p r e s e n t s t a t e o f r e s e a r c h in t h e field o f Irish A p o c r y p h a it h a s b e e n d e e m e d b e s t to p r e s e n t t h e t r a n s l a t i o n w i t h o u t a n y e l a b o r a t e d i s c u s s i o n o f t e x t u a l q u e s t i o n s o r o f t h e i s s u e s i n v o l v e d . In t h e n o t ^ a t t h e e n d o f t h e v o l u m e , f o r e a c h text t h e m a n u s c r i p t i n d i c a t i o n s a r e g i v e n , o f t e n a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h a r e f e r e n c e l o M . M c N a m a r a , The Apocrypha in the Irish Church, D u b l i n I n s t i t u t e f o r A d v a n c e d S t u d i e s , 1975, reprint 1984.

INTRODUCTION

9.

A N o t e on the Translations By Maire Herbert A l l o f t h e t r a n s l a t i o n s in t h e p r e s e n t v o l u m e a r e my own. S o m e o f t h e t e x t s h a d n e v e r b e f o r e b e e n t r a n s l a t e d . I n o t h e r c a s e s , 1 c h o s e to translate a hitherto u n e d i t e d manuscript version o f a particular text. I h a v e also m a d e n e w translations of texts already rendered into E n g l i s h . M o s t o f t h e e x i s t i n g t r a n s l a t i o n s d a t e from t h e e n d o f t h e last century a n d the beginning o f the present century. O n l y a f e w are c o m p a r a t i v e l y m o d e m . I n all c a s e s , I h a v e w o r k e d d i r e c t l y from t h e m a n u s c r i p t texte, w h i l e t a k i n g a c c o u n t o f e x i s t i n g p u b l i s h e d e d i t i o n s . T h e t e x t s v a r y in a g e from t h e e i g h t h c e n t u r y t o a b o u t t h e f o u r t e e n t h . W e find both prose and verse, and a wide range o f linguistic and stylistic diversity. For the translator, therefore, each text p r e s e n t s its o w n particular challenge. Previous translations o f Irish biblical A p o c rypha h a v e reflected contemporary tastes, as well as editorial choice. W e find archaizing Biblically-modelled prose d o m i n a n t in w o r k s of the last century, w h i l e the d e m a n d s o f editorial a c c u r a c y h a v e s o m e times led to the publication b y Celtic scholars of rather tortuous w o r d f o r w o r d fransference i n p l a c e o f t r a n s l a t i o n . 1 h a v e sought lo avoid these extremes of lavish paraphrase a n d overl i t e r a l i s m , a i m i n g a t all t i m e s to p r o d u c e a n a c c u r a t e a n d r e a d a b l e r e n d e r i n g o f t h e o r i g i n a l . Y e t , I a m a w a r e t h a t , in s e e k i n g to n e g o t i a t e the distance b e t w e e n past a n d present, m y o w n efforts must also b e t e n t a t i v e a n d s u b j e c t to e m e n d a t i o n . T h e Irish t e x t s a r e d i s t a n c e d i n time from u s , y e t t h e y t h e m s e l v e s a r e a l s o d i s t a n c e d f r o m t h e i r o w n s o u r c e s . A s w e n o w m e d i a t e t h e m to a n e w p u b l i c , t h e r e f o r e , w e l o o k forward to the revelation of fresh insights to enhance o u r understandi n g o f t h e i r rich c o n t e n t .

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

Notes to Introduction

1

The Old Testamer^ Pseudepigrapha, edited by James! 1. Charlesworth, vol.l. Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments; voI.II. Expansions of the "Old Testament" and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms, and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works, London: Darlon, L o n ^ a n & Todd,1983,1985; original U.S. edition by Doubleday Anchor Books. Also worthy of note is the same author's more recent review of research in the field: James H. Charlesworth, "Research on the New Testament Apc)CTypha and Pseudepigrapha", Aufstieg und Niedergang der rSmischen Welt. Rise and Decline of the Roman World, W. Haase and U. Temporini, ed., part 11, Prlndpate, vol. 25.5, Berlin-New York, 1988, pp. 3919-3968 ("Bibliography of Studies, Texts and Translations", 3940-3964).

2

Oxford: Qarendon Press; companion volume to M.I?. James, The Apocryphal New Testament, Oxf(Jrd:University Press,1924; reprint (corrected) 1953,1955. M.R- James, "Noteson Apocrypha", jThS 11 (1909/10), 288-91; 'Irish Apoaypha", JThS 20(1918/19), 9-16; Latin Infancy Gospels. A New Text, with a Parallel Version from Irish. edited with an Introduction by M.R. James, Cambridge:University Press, 1927. "The B r i n ^ g forth of Ihe Soul in Irish Uleralure", JThS 22(1920/21), 16-20; "Irish Versions of the Transitus Mariae", JThS 23(1921/22), 36-43; "Irish Versions of the Vision of St Paul", JThS 24(1922/23), 54-59; "ITie Seven Heavens in Irish Literature'',ZCP 14(1923), 18-30; "The Esdiatology of the Early Irish Church", ZCP 14(1923), 179-211; "The Book of Adam and Eve in Ireland", PRIA 36 C (1921-24), 121-33; "The Signs of Doomsday in tlie Saltair na Rann", PRIA 36 C (1921-24), 154-63; "Studies in the Vision of Tundal", PRiA 37 C (1924-27), 87-106; "Notes on Apocrypha in Ireland", PRM 37 C (1924-27), 107-117; "The Vision of Adamnan", PRiA 37 C (1924-27), 304-312. London: S.P.CK., 1930. /77iS 23(1921/22), 36-43. R. Wiilard, "The Testament of Mary. The Irish Account of the Death of the Virgin", Redierches de th^ologie ancienne et medievale 9(1937), 341-64. art. dt., 364. ibid Charles Donahue, The Testament of Mary. The Gaelic Version of the Dormilio Mariae together with an Irish Latin Version, New York:Fordham University Press, 1942. Victor Arras, EteTninsitaAlflriiie. /ipoc7yp/wj4etAibpice/(Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium. Vol. 343, Scriptores Aetiopid, tomus 67), Louvain: Secrdtariat du Corpus SCO, 1973; see pp.vii-viii:"Magno in numcro habcndus est auctor qui in Irlanda Testamentum Mariae gaelice confedt. Quod iUe solus narrationem retinuit de itinere in Aegyptum, quod solus probationem Pauli retulit et quod de itinere per transmundana testimonium servavit, satis est argumcnti eius adhuc tempore codices graecos vei latinos exsti tisse multo integriores codjdbus nobis hodie nofis. Hoc autem dolendum est quod qui acutiorcs de variis Transitibus scripserunt, hunc librum gaelicum, mole exiguum, momento vero magnum, utpole perrarum in eiiropaeis vel maximis bibliotheds, inspicere non potuerunt. Qui expendere veiit quomodo varii textusde Dormitioneagentes, omnibus vestigiis indagatis, connexisint.exoptabit fore

3

4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

INTRODUCTION

12 13 14

15 16

16a 17 18

19 20 21

22 23

24

ut gaelicum scriptum rursusprelissubiciatur. Non enimsuffidtlegere quae optima de C O S E Y M O U R et wiLLAKD exposuerunt; horum doctorumobservationesad unum tantum codicem, sdl. Ms. 23048 b Dublinensis irisckl'.l Academy refemntur; cui nomen Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (XV saec.), quern S E Y M O U R legit, D O N A H U E vero suum textum sumpsit G codice Laud. Misc. 6W BibiiothccaeOxonicnsis (etiam XV saec);codices alius ab alio discrepant, uf veiiiis D O N A H U E suum apoayphum explanantis paiet". M ichael van Esbroeck, "Les textes lit leraiies sur 1'Assomption a van t le Xe siede", in Les Actes Apoayphes des Apotres,ed. F. Bovon, Geneve:Labor et Rdes, 1981,265-85, esp. 267, 271. East Lansing: Michigan State CoUege Press. B. Bisdioff, "Wendepunkte in der Geschichte der iatcinischen Exegese im FriihmitleEalter", in Sacris Erudiri 6(1954).189-279; in revised form in Dr Biscboff's collected essays: Mittelalterliche Studien. Aufsdtze zur Schriftkunde und Litteraturgesckichte, Stuttgarl:Hiersemann,1966, vol. 1,205-73. English translation by C. CGrady, MSC in Biblical Studies. The Medktral Irisk Contribution (Proceedings of the Irish Biblical Association no. 1), DubIin:Dominican Publicahons, 1976,73-160. Bischoff, op. dt. (Eng. trans.),ra,82. James Carney, £n'u 18(1958), 1-43; id.. The Poems of Biathmac Son Cii Breltan together with the Irish Gospel ofThomasanda Poem on the Virgin Mary (Irish Texts Sodely, vol. 47), Dublin: Irish Texts Sodety, 1964,89-105,153-64. David &eene and Fergus Kelly, The Irisk Adam and Eve Story from Saltair na Rann, volume I, Text and Translation by David Greene and Fergus Kelly; volume U, Commentary by Brian O. Murdoch, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1976. Fridericus SlegmiiUer, Repertorium Biblicum Medii Aevi, torn. I, Injtia Bibljca. Apocrypha. Prolog!, Madrid:Con5ejo Superior de Investigadones Cientincas.Instituto Francisco Su^ez, 1940. Repertorium Biblicum Medii Aem, vol. 8, Madrid, 1976; nos. 148, !5 (Letter of Jesus on SimdayObservance), 164,24 (Transitus Mariae), 169,2 (Gospel of the Nazarenes), 176, 26 (Gospel of Thomas), 276,23 (Visio S. Pauli). David Dumville, "Biblical Apocrypha and the Early Irish: A Preliminary Investigation", PRM 73 C(1973), 299-338. art. dt. 299 (In Abstrad). M. McNamara, The Apooypha in the Irisk Church, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1975 (reprint, with corrections, 19S4). See revievsra by Daibhf 6 Cr6in(n in ^igse 16(part IV,1976), 348-56; David N. DumvUle in JThS 27(1976), 491 -94; H.-I. Marrou and P.-Y. Lambert in llludes Celtiques (1978). 738-39. James H, Charlesworth (assisted by P. Dykers), The Pseudepigrapha and Modem Research (Sodety of Biblical Literature Septuagint and Cognate Studies, no. 7), Missoula, Montana,-Scholars Press (for The Sodety of Biblical Literature), 1976, 26-27, In the Corpus Christianorum Series Apocryphorum publidty pamphlet; also in Francois Bovon, "Vers une nouvdle Edition de la litterature apocryphe chretienne. La Series ttpoayphontm du Carpus cinistianarum", in Gli Apocrifi cristiam e cristianizzati (XI Incontro di studiosi deU'antichita cristiana), Augustinianum 23{1983),373-376 See the discussion on "Canonical and Apocryphal" and "The I-Ustory of the New Testament Canon" by W. Sdineemelch^ in E f lennecke, Neif Testament Apocrypha, edited by W. Schneemelcher; Eng. trans, by R. McL Wilson, vol 1, Gospels and Related Writings, London:Lutterworth Press, 1963,22-64; J.H- Charlesworth, in The Old Testa-

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25 26 26a 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

ment Pseudepigrapha, voL 1, xxiii-xxvii ("Canon, DeSnition of Pseudepigrapha, Writings Cognate with Pseudepigrapha"); earlier in The Pseudepigrapha and Modem Research, 17-25. James F. Kenney, The Sources for the Early History of Ireland: Ecclesiastical. An Introduction and Guide, Columbia University Press, 1929 Q^er reprints. New YorkKDctagon Books, 1966; etc.), 733. See M.McNamara, Ihe Apocrypha in the Irish Oatrch (note 21 above), 7-12. B. Bischoff, art. dt. (note 14 above). Eng. trans. 78; in Sacris Erudiri 195; MitteMterliche Studien 210. David Dumville, art. dt. (note 19 above),336. His position on the absence of due position for the Canon of Scripture in early Ireland could be queried. See below, text no. 14, with notes. See bdow, no. 24, with notes; also M JVlcNamara, The ApocryjM in the Irish Church (note 21 above), 122f. Charles D. Wright, "Apocryphal Lore and Insular Tradition in St Call, Stiftsbibliothek MS 908", in Ireland and Christendom. The Bible and the Missions, Proinseas N£ ChathSin and Michael Richter (eds.), StuttgartJaett-0)tta, 1987,124-45, at 128. For edition see James Carney, op. dt., ncrte 16 above; for apocryphal references see D. DumvUle, arL dt. (note 19 above), 305-312. op. dt. (note 25 above), 732-33. See M. MdsTamara, The Apooypha in the Irish Church (note 21 above), 14-16. See McNamara, op. dt., 11,126f. op.dt.,llf. op. dt., 122f. and text no, 24 betow, wUh notes. op. dt., 95-98 and text no. 20 below, with notes. On this MS see George H, Warner and Julius P. Gibson, A Catalogw of VJestem Manuscripts in the Old Royal and Kings LSmay, London, 1921, vol. IL, 82-84; David J,G, Lewis, "A Shtal Latin Gospel of Nicodemus written in Ireland", Peritia 5(1986), 262-75 (at 262f.); Jan Qjsel, Die unmittelbare TextHberlieferung des sog. Pseudo-MalthSus (V erhandelingen van de koninkiijke Akadcmie voor Wetensdiappen, Letteren en Schone Kunsten van Bdgje. Klasseder Letteren, Jaargang 43, ru 96), Brussels, 1981,178-180. On I, Gijsel's book see Guy Philippart, "Le Psoudo-Matthieu au risque de la critique textuelle", Scriptoriam 38(1984), 121-31. edited by D.J.G, Lewis, art, d t , Perilia, note 38 above, 268-271. Gijsel, op, dt., 178-180. Thus Professor Martin L. Colker in the Catalogue of Medieval Latin Manuscripts in Trinity College, Dublin; see also Gijsd, op. dt., 180f. Gijsel loc, dt. See Colker, op. dt. note 41 above; Gijsel, op. dt., 186f. Gijsel. loc. dt. See description in C, D. Macray, Catatogicodicum manuscriptorum BtbliothecaeBodleianae, part. V, fasc, 4, Oxford, 1898, cols, 371f,; Gijsd, op. dL,55f, Qjsel, loc. dt. See McNamara, op. dt. (note 21 above), pp. 59f. (no,51A). See note 21 above. McNamara, op. dt., nos 35-50. For Passion Narratives, see McNamara, op. dt., nos 58-69.

INTRODUCTION

51 52 53 54 55 56

McNamara, op. dt., nos 72-96. For instance episodes from the Life of John; cf. McNamara, op. dt., no. 83. McNamara, op. dt., nos 97-98; bdow text no. 24, with notes. McNamara, op. dt., nos 99-108. See D. Dumville, art cit. note 21 above Thus C S . BoswcU, An Irish Precursor of Dante (Grimm Library 38), Londcm, l^S, for Fis Adamndin, and for the Rfteen Signs before Doomsday, W.W. Heist in his work,The Fifteen Signs before Doomsday, East Lansing: Michigan State Press, 1952, following on St John D. Seymour (PRIA 36 C 1923,154-160.

TEXTS

translated by Maire Herbert

THE OLD TESTAMENT l.THE CREATION OF ADAM 1

A d a m w a s c r e a t e d i n t h e t h i r d horn-, f o r s e v e n h o u r s h e w a s w i t h o u t sin, a n d o n the tenth h o u r h e w a s expelled from Paradise.

2

These are the seven components from which A d a m w a s made. T h e first w a s o f e a r t h , t h e s e c o n d o f s e a , t h e t h i r d o f s u n . T h e f o u r t h w a s f r o m c l o u d s , t h e f i f t h , w i n d , t h e s i x t h , s t o n e s . T h e s e v e n t h was

the

light of the w o r l d . 3

L e t u s c o n t i n u e c o n c e r n i n g t h e s e m a t t e r s . T h e first p a r t , f o r m e d o f e a r t h , w a s h i s trurvk. T h e s e c o n d p a r t , o f s e a , w a s h i s b l o o d . T h e t h i r d p a r t , formed f r o m t h e s u n , w a s h i s c o u n t e n a n c e a n d f a c e . T h e f o u r t h p a r t , f r o m t h e c l o u d s , c o n s i s t e d o f h i s t h o u g h t s . T h e fifth p a r t , f r o m w i n d , w a s his breath. T h e sixth part, formed from stones, constituted h i s b o n e s . T h e s e v e n t h p a r t , f r o m t h e light o f t h e w o r l d , n a m e l y , t h e H o l y Spirit, w a s the m a n ' s soul.

4

If, i n t h e c a s e o f a n y p e r s o n , I h e e a r t h e n p a r t p r e d o m i n a t e s , t h a t p e r s o n w i l l b e s l o t h f u l . If it b e t h e s u n , h e w i l l b e fair a n d l i v e l y . If it b e t h e c l o u d s , h e will b e l i g h t - w e i g h t a n d l u s t f u l . If t h e w i n d p r e d o m i n a t e s , h e w i l l b e fiery a n d a n g r y . If it b e t h e s t o n e s , h e will b e h a r s h , a n d h e w i l l b e b o t h a t h i e f a n d a c o v e t o u s p e r s o n . If it b e t h e s e a , h e w i l l b e l o v a b l e a n d d o c i l e , a n d h e will h a v e b e a u t y . If t h e p r e d o n \ i n a n t p a r t i s t h e l i g h t , h e w i l l b e s i n g l e - m i n d e d , a n d will b e f i l l e d w i t h t h e g r a c e of the H o l y Spirit and divine scripture.

2.CREATION AND FALL 1

There were nine orders and nine grades a m o n g the angels. T h e Lord s a i d t o L u c i f e n " A l l t h e h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s will b e s u b j e c t t o y o u . N o w let y o u r e n d e r h o m a g e to A d a m , m y o w n l i k e n e s s " . L u c i f e r s a i d : " I w i l l n o t r e n d e r h o m a g e t o A d a m , f o r I a m s e n i o r to h i m , a n d m o r e n o b l e , a n d I will not b o w d o w n b e f o r e m y j u n i o r " . T h e L o r d s a i d to h i m : " Y o u will n o t b e h o n o u r e d b y m e i f y o u d o n o t s u b m i t to A d a m " . L u c i f e r r e p l i e d w i t h a r r o g a n c e a n d p r i d e : " I will b e k i n g o v e r all t h e h o s t s o f a n g e l s , a n d t h e y will s e r v e m e . I will e s t a b l i s h m y d w e l l i n g i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f h e a v e n in a r e m o t e p l a c e , a n d t h e r e will b e n o o t h e r k i n g o v e r m e " . T h e r e u p o n L u c i f e r , w i t h all h i s h o s t , w a s c a s t d o w n from heaven o n account o f his pride, a n d h e w a s driven into eternal hell. N o w s o m e writings say that a thousand y e a r s elapsed b e t w e e n the creation o f the angel until h i s I r a n s g r e ^ i o n . O t h e r records say, h o w e v e r , that t h i r t e e n a n d a half h o u r s w a s the length of t i m e from the c r e a t i o n o f t h e a n g e l until h e t r a n s g r e s s e d .

2

T h e K i n g m a d e a pleasant a b o d e for m a n in the beginning, that is. P a r a d i s e , a fruitful l a n d o f m a n y m e l o d i e s . H e a r r a n g e d a well w i t h four streams, o n e stream each of wine, oil, n e w milk, a n d honey, as sustenance for the blessed creatures. A n d h e g a v e each of these streams in turn a n a m e , so that w e h a v e Phison, G e h o n , Tigris, a n d Euphrates. Phison, the s t r e a m o f oil, flowed eastward. Tigris, the w i n e , flowed w e s t w a r d . E u p h r a t e s , t h e h o n e y , f l o w e d s o u t h w a r d . G e h o n , t h e m i l k , flowed n o r t h w a r d . M o r e o v e r , a w a l l o f r e d g o l d s u r r o u n d e d Paradise.

3

T h e n A d a m wascreated. After his creation h e remained for t h r e e d a y s without a soul, thus prefiguring the resurrection of Christ. A n a m e w a s then assigned to h i m , formed from the four stars, which were n a m e d , respectively, Anatole, the e a s t e m star, Dusis, the western, A r c h o n , t h e n o r t h e m s t a r , a n d M i s s i m b r i a , the s o u t h e m . T h e s e a r e t h e n a m e s of the four sods out of which A d a m w a s created: Malon, Arton, Biblon, and Agore. From Malon his head was formed, from Arton, his c h e s t , from B i b l o n , h i s b e l l y , a n d f r o m A g o r e , h i s f e e t . T h e first s i g h t

2. CREATION AND F A L L

which A d a m s a w after h e h a d received a soul w a s the m o u n t a i n s of Pariath. F r o m the eighth u p p e r rib of the chest o n A d a m ' s right side E v e w a s f o r m e d to b e h i s e q u a l . . . N o w , t h e r e a s o n w h y A d a m ' s b o d y w a s f o r m e d f r o m t h e c o m m o n e a r t h w a s that it w a s k n o w n t h a t i t w o u l d b e d e f i l e d . T h u s it w a s f r o m t h e p u r e , u n p o l l u t e d e a r t h o f P a r a d i s e that the b o d y of M a r y was formed subsequently, sinceit was from the b o d y o f M a r y t h a t C h r i s t ' s b o d y w a s t o b e born', a c c o r d i n g to t h e t r u t h o f h o l y s c r i p t u r e , a s w e l l a s t h e p r o p h e t s a n d p a t r i a r c h s . T h i s is t h e n a m e o f t h e p l a c e w h e r e A d a m w a s c r e a t e d , in agro Damasgo. H e p r o c e e d e d f r o m t h e r e to P a r a d i s e . N i n e m o n t h s p a s s e d f r o m t h e t i m e t h a t A d a m r e c e i v e d a s o u l until E v e w a s fashioned from his side. And this is the precedent for the m a n n e r in w h i c h e v e r y w o m a n o f t h e i r s e e d t h e r e a f t e r c a r r i e s a c h i l d . T h e n t h e L o r d a n n o u n c e d t o A d a m a n d E v e t o g e t h e r : " Y o u m a y e a t all t h e f r u i t s o f P a r a d i s e , s a v e f o r t h a t o f o n e t r e e a l o n e , s o t h a t y o u m a y k n o w that y o u a r e u n d e r m y r u l e a n d p o w e r . Y o u will s u f f e r n e i t h e r d e c l i n e n o r i l l n e s s , a n d y o u will b e b o r n e b o d i l y to h e a v e n a t t h e a g e o f t h i r t y " . L u c i f e r w a s j e a l o u s o f A d a m , b e i n g c e r t a i n t h a t it w a s A d a m w h o w o u l d b e b r o u g h t to h e a v e n in p l a c e o f h i m s e l f . G o d g r a n t e d t h a t all t h e a n i m a l s w h o p o s s e s s e d b o d y a n d life s h o u l d b e s u b j e c t to A d a m . T h u s it w a s t h e l a t t e r w h o e x e r c i s e d p o w e r o v e r t h e n . W h i l e t h e h o s t s o f t h e s e v e n h e a v e n s c a m e to t h e H i g h - k i n g , e v e r y a n i m a l i n t h e w o r l d c a m e t o A d a m , to d o h i m h o n o u r a n d w o r s h i p , a n d to d e l i g h t h i m . It w a s t h e L o r d , i n d e e d , w h o d i r e c t e d t h e m to p l a c e t h e m s e l v e s i n f r o n t o f P a r a d i s e , i n s i g h t o f A d a m . E a c h t h e n r e t u r n e d to i t s a b o d e , a f t e r s a l u t i n g A d a m . T h e d e v i l , h o w e v e r , w a s c a s t i n g a b o u t f o r a w a y to d e c e i v e A d a m . T h e r e s o l v e o n w h i c h L u c i f e r s e t t l e d w a s that h e s h o u l d g o to t h e o u t s i d e o f P a r a d i s e in t h e m i d s t o f t h e a n i m a l s . T h e r e h e f o u n d t h e s e r p e n t a t t h e e x t r e m i t y o f t h e w h o l e g r o u p . " I t is n o t a t all j u s t " , s a i d t h e d e v i l to t h e s e r p e n t , " t h a t y o u s h o u l d b e t h u s o n t h e o u t s i d e , d e s p i t e y o u r c l e v e r n e s s a n d c u n n i n g . F o r it i s a g r e a t w r o n g t h a t t h e m o s t j u n i o r b e i n g i n c r e a t i o n s h o u l d b e h o n o u r e d a b o v e y o u . It w o u l d n o t b e a m a j o r c r i m e t o c a u s e h a r m o r t e m p t a t i o n to b e f a l l h i m , s i n c e y o u w e r e

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

c r e a t e d b e f o r e A d a m , a n d y o u s h o u l d not h a v e t o b o w to y o u r J u n i o r " . 8

T h e n t h e d e v i l s a i d to t h e serpjent: ' T a k e m y a d v i c e " , s a i d h e , " a n d let u s m a k e a p a c t a n d a n a l l i a n c e . D o n o t g o to A d a m . R a t h e r , a l l o w m e to e n t e r y o u r b o d y , a n d let u s b o t h g o t o E v e t o p r e v a i l o n h e r to e a t t h e fruit o f t h e p r o h i b i t e d t r e e , in o r d e r that s h e m a y i n d u c e A d a m t h e r e a f t e r to d o t h e s a m e . T h u s t h e y will t r a n s g r e s s t h e c o m m a n d o f t h e i r l o r d , a n d will l o s e t h e f a v o u r o f G o d t h e r e b y , a n d t h e y will t h e n b e e x p e l l e d o u t o f P a r a d i s e " . T h e s e r p e n t a s k e d : " W h a t is m y p a y m e n t f o r t h i s , that 1 s h o u l d a l l o w y o u t o c o h a b i t in m y b o d y f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f r u i n i n g A d a m a n d E v e ? " " Y o u shall h a v e a s a r e w a r d " , s a i d t h e devil, "that the two of us a r e n a m e d together forever after".

9

T h e n L u c i f e r a s s u m e d t h e f o r m o f t h e s e r p e n t , a n d w e n t to t h e g a t e o f Paradise. T h e serpent called from outeide, saying: " O Eve, wife of A d a m , s p e a k w i t h m e " . "I h a v e n o t i m e t o talk t o a n y o n e " , s a i d E v e , " f o r 1 a m l o o k i n g a f t e r all t h e b r u t e a n i m a l s " . ' I f y o u b e E v e , it is y o u w h o m I u r g e to a c t in m y i n t e r e s t s " , s a i d t h e s e r p e n t . " W h e n A d a m is n o t h e r e , it is I w h o a m g u a r d i a n o f P a r a d i s e , a n d 1 l o o k a f t e r all t h e arumals", said she. " W h e r e does A d a m g o from y o u w h e n h e is not p r e s e n t t o s e e to t h e a n i m a l s ? " , a s k e d t h e s e r p e n t . " H e g o e s to a d o r e the C r e a t o r " , said E v e .

10

' T e l l m e . E v e , is y o u r life in P a r a d i s e a g r e e a b l e ? " , a s k e d t h e s e r f > e n t " T h e r e is n o t h i n g g r e a t e r s o u g h t b y u s t h a n to b e i n P a r a d i s e u n t i l w e g o b o d i l y to h e a v e n " , s a i d E v e . " F o r e v e r y g o o d c r e a t e d b y G o d in Paradise is at our disposal, except for o n e tree alone. W e w e r e c o m m a n d e d n o t t o e a t a n y o f t h e f r u i t o f t h a t t r e e , a n d w e w e r e t o l d that if w e a t e it w e w o u l d d i e " .

11

T h e serp)ent s a i d to E v e : " N e i t h e r y o u r k n o w l e d g e n o r y o u r w i s d o m is a n y g r e a t e r t h a n t h a t o f e v e r y b r u t e a n i m a l . Y o u r l o r d d i d n o t g i v e y o u icno w i e d g e o f e v i l , o n l y o f g o o d a l o n e . T h i s i s a g r e a t d e f i c i e n c y i n y o u , a n d you are beingdeceived b y not being allowed to eat a n y of the f r u i t o f t h e t r e e i n w h i c h is t h e k n o w l e d g e o f g o o d a n d e v i l " . T h e s e r p e n t c o n t i n u e d : " T h i s is w h y t h a t t r e e w a s d e v i s e d , a n d w h y y o u a r e n o t a l l o w e d to e a t f r o m it, s o t h a t y o u s h o u l d n o t h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o k n o w b o t h g o o d a n d e v i l . D o n o t b e s l o w . G o to t h e t r e e to t a s t e o f it, a n d if y o u e a t b u t o n e a p p l e f r o m t h e t r e e , y o u s h a l l h a v e k n o w l e d g e

2. CREATION AND F A L L

o f g o o d a n d evil f r o m y o u r l o r d h i m s e l f " . 12

E v e s a i d to t h e s e r p e n t : " T h o u g h y o u r c o u n s e l a n d p l a n i s f i n e , 1 d o n o t d a r e g o to t h e t r e e lest 1 d i e " . S h e a d d e d : " G o y o u r s e l f , s e r p e n t , t o t h e t r e e , a n d b r i n g t h e a p p l e to m e , s o t h a t I m a y d i v i d e it w i t h A d a m , in o r d e r t o d i s c o v e r w h e t h e r w h a t i s p r o m i s e d o f it b e t r u e " . T h e n t h e s e r p e n t s a i d to E v e : " O p e n t h e g a t e o f P a r a d i s e t o m e , so t h a t I m a y bring you the apple from the tree". "If I open the gate of Paradise, and if y o u g o i n , d o n o t d e l a y t h e r e e x c e p t to b r i n g m e t h e a p p l e f r o m t h e t r e e " , s a i d E v e . T h e s e r p e n t r e p l i e d to E v e : ' T r o v i d e d that I g e t f r o m t h e t r e e t h e a p p l e w h i c h will e n a b l e y o u to d i s t i n g u i s h b e t w e e n e v i l a n d g o o d , I w i l l g o o u t a f t e r w a r d s , lest I b e c o n f i n e d o r m a d e c a p t i v e " .

13

T h e n E v e o p e n e d t h e g a t e for t h e s e r p e n t , a n d h e w e n t rapicily t o w a r d s t h e p r o h i b i t e d t r e e . H e p i c k e d t h e a p p l e , a n d g a v e it t o E v e . S h e a t e h a l f , a n d left t h e o t h e r h a l f f o r A d a m . S u d d e n l y , a f t e r E v e h a d e a t e n the apple, her form and appearance c h a n g e d . T h e gleaming g a r m e n t w h i c h w a s a r o u n d h e r fell o f f , s h i v e r i n g a n d c o l d s e i z e d h e r , a n d s h e w a s a s t o n i s h e d to f i n d h e r s e l f n a k e d . T h e r e u p o n s h e let o u t a t e r r i b l e c r y t o A d a m . T h e l a t t e r c a m e a t E v e ' s c a l l , a n d w a s a m a z e d to f i n d h e r n a k e d . A d a m said lo E v e : " Y o u will not survive a s y o u are, w i t h o u t y o u r c l o t h i n g . W h a t h a s b e f a l l e n y o u ? " "I will n o t tell y o u ' % s a i d E v e , " u n t i l y o u e a t t h e h a l f o f t h i s a p p l e w h i c h is in m y h a n d " . A d a m t o o k t h e h a l f o f t h e a p p l e , a n d a t e it. A n d h i s g a r m e n t s fell o f f , s o t h a t h e w a s stark n a k e d , like E v e .

14

Then A d a m said: " O Eve, w h o has deceived y o u , and deceived m e a l o n g w i t h y o u ? Ft i s t h a t L u c i f e r " , s a i d h e , " a n d s o w e w i l l b e h e n c e f o r t h a n d f o r e v e r s u b j e c t to h a r d s h i p s a n d n u m e r o u s d i s e a s e s " . E v e r e p l i e d ; " I t w a s t h e s e r p e n t w h o a s k e d m e to let h i m i n t o P a r a d i s e , and after h e entered he got m e an apple from the prohibited tree, and s a i d : ' O E v e , t a k e t h i s a p p l e f r o m m e , s o t h a t y o u m a y b e a b l e to d i s t i n g u i s h b o t h g o o d a n d e v i l . D i v i d e it b e t w e e n y o u a n d A d a m ' , said he. I took the apple then, and 1 w a s a w a r e o f no h a r m resulting f r o m it until I s a w m y s e l f n a k e d . I k n e w n o evil b e f o r e t h e n . It is t h a t serpent w h o has ruined us, O A d a m " , said Eve.

15

A d a m t h e n s a i d to E v e : " W o u l d t h a t y o u h a d n o t h a p p e n e d u p o n y o u r a p p l e . It is e v i d e n t to u s t h a t w e a r e d e s t i n e d to e n d u r e m u c h evil

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

h e n c e f o r t h , n o w t h a t w e a r e n a k e d . M o r e o v e r , t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g e v e n w o r s e in s t o r e f o r u s , t h e s e p a r a t i o n o f b o d y f r o m s o u l , t h e d e c a y o f t h e b o d y i n t h e e a r t h , a n d t h e c o n s i g n m e n t o f t h e s o u l to e t e r n a l h e l l " . A s all t h e i r c l o t h i n g h a d fallen f r o m t h e m , t h e r e a f t e r t h e y w e r e filled w i t h d e p r e s s i o n a n d m i s e r y , a n d t h e y felt it s h a m e f u l that t h e i r b o d i e s h a d n o p r o t e c t i n g veil o v e r t h e m . T h u s e a c h o f t h e m sa w c l e a r l y the c o l o u r o f e a c h o t h e r ' s b o d y , s o t h e y t h e n t o o k f i g l e a v e s to c o v e r t h e i r n a k e d n e s s . T h e r e w a s n o t f o u n d in P a r a d i s e a n y t r e e b e a r i n g f o l i a g e s a v e the fig-tree only. 16

T h e n A d a m h e a r d t h e v o i c e o f M i c h a e l t h e a r c h a n g e l , s a y i n g to t h e angel Gabriel: "Let the horn and s u m m o n i n g trumpet be sounded, so t h a t t h e y m a y b e h e a r d t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e v e n h e a v e n s , a n d let all o f y o u g o to m e e t y o u r c r e a t o r " . A n d all h o s t s a n d t h r o n g s o f a n g e l s o f t h e s e v e n h e a v e n s a r o s e , a n d p r o c e e d e d t o g e t h e r to P a r a d i s e to t h e i r m a k e r . T h e n the Lord c a m e lo them with his great host to Paradise, s u r r o u n d e d b y c h o i r s o f a n g e l s s i n g i n g . C h e r u b i m s a t b y the royal seal o f the High-king in Paradise, in the very centre o f Paradise, m o r e o v e r , w h e r e t h e t r e e o f l i f e w a s s i t u a t e d . A p l e a s a n t site, i n d e e d , w a s Paradise. Each host w a s d r a w n u p according to rank, a n d each g r a d e w a s s u r r o u n d e d b y i t s a n g e l s . T h e K i n g h i m s e l f sat in h i s r o y a l s e a t a b o v e C h e r u b i m . T h e n the trees a n d w o o d s o f Paradise b o w e d d o w n to t h e g r o u n d to s h o w h o n o u r to t h e C r e a t o r .

17

T h e r e u p o n G o d s a i d to t h e c o m p a n y o f h e a v e n : " H a v e y o u h e a r d o f the d e e d d o n e b y A d a m , which insulted m e , and transgressed m y p r e c e p t a n d t e a c h i n g ? " A t that, A d a m a n d E v e t o o k s h e l t e r u n d e r t h e t r e e , i n flight f r o m t h e v o i c e o f t h e C r e a t o r . T h e n A d a m m a d e t h i s h a r m f u l u t t e r a n c e : " I f ! h a v e v i o l a t e d y o u r c o m m a n d , it w a s t h e woman w h o m you bestowed on me, namely Eve, w h o tempted m e " . G o d r e p l i e d to A d a m : " S i n c e y o u d o n o t a c k n o w l e d g e y o u r g u i l t , y o u r f a m i l y will b e f o r e v e r c o n t e n d i n g a g a i n s t y o u . If y o u h a d s h o w n repentance, what y o u did would be forgiven you, and y o u would b e in y o u r p r i m e v a l s t a t e o f p r o s p e r i t y " .

18

G o d t h e n g a v e t h i s o r d e r to h i s a n g e l s : " S e n d A d a m o u t o f P a r a d i s e a n d to t h e c o m m o n e a r t h a g a i n " . T h e r e a f t e r , a n g e l s e x p e l l e d E v e a n d A d a m out o f Paradise. A n d then there c a m e u p o n them sorrow a n d dejection, poverty a n d hunger, a n g e r and grief, a n d n u m e r o u s differ-

2. CREATION AND F A L L

e n t d i s e a s e s . T h e r e u p o n A d a m s a i d to the a n g e l s o f h e a v e n : " G r a n t m e a little d e l a y , s o that I m a y t a s t e s o m e of t h e fruit o f t h e t r e e o f l i f e " . " Y o u will not t a s t e a n y o f that t r e e o f life for a s l o n g a s y o u r b o d y a n d soul are joined t o g e t h e r " , they said. A n d then, i n d e e d , A d a m w a s p a r t e d f r o m P a r a d i s e f r o m that t i m e h e n c e f o r t h .

3.THE PENANCE OF ADAM 1

G o d g r a n t e d t h i s c o m m o n e a r t h to A d a m a n d E v e a f t e r t h e i r t r a n s g r e s s i o n in P a r a d i s e . A f t e r e x p u l s i o n f r o m P a r a d i s e A d a m r e m a i n e d f o r a w e e k without drink or food, without clothing o r shelter o r fire, o v e r c o m e b y r e m o r s e a n d grief. A n d they w e r e r e p r o a c h i n g a n d mutually blaming each other. A d a m said: "Great was the bounty b e s t o w e d o n u s , if o n l y t h e d e v i l h a d n o t t e m p t e d u s to d e f y t h e L o r d . W e c o u l d c o n v e r s e w i t h a n g e l s , a n d all o f G o d ' s c r e a t u r e s h o n o u r e d us. Fire could not b u m us, nor water drown u s , weapon-blade could n o t l a c e r a t e u s , n o r c o u l d d i s e a s e o v e r c o m e u s . N o w , e v e r y e l e m e n t is in o p p o s i t i o n t o u s , f o r s a k e o f t h e h o n o u r o f t h e L o r d . I t i s n o t G o d w h o is t o b e b l a m e d , b u t w e o u r s e l v e s " .

2

E v e s a i d to A d a m : " T h e g u i l t i s m i n e " , s a i d s h e . " P u t m e t o d e a t h , O A d a m , s i n c e it i s m o r e l i k e l y that G o d w o u l d s h o w m e r c y to y o u " . " W e h a v e o f f e n d e d t h e L o r d s u f f i c i e n t l y a l r e a d y " , s a i d A d a m . " I will n o t slay you, m y kin", said he, "for you are miserable a n d naked even n o w , a n d I will n o t spill m y o w n b l o o d o n t h e g r o u n d , s i n c e y o u a r e p a r t o f m y o w n b o d y . It is n o t r i g h t l o p e r p e t r a t e a n o t h e r o f f e n c e a g a i n s t t h e L o r d lest h e d e s t r o y u s , lest h e h a n d u s o v e r t o d e m o n s in t h e d e p t h s o f h e l l , a n d c o n s i g n u s to t h e d o m a i n s o f L u c i f e r . F o r w e a r e a l r e a d y in e x t r e m e pain, and w e m a y die o f cold a n d h u n g e r , since w e h a v e b e e n for twelve hours without food o r clothing". T h e n Eve said: " W h y d o y o u n o t j o u m e y in e v e r y d i r e c t i o n , m a n , to s e e if y o u c a n find s o m e t h i n g f o r u s to e a t ? " A d a m r o s e a n d t r a v e r s e d a r o u n d in s e a r c h o f food which they could c o n s u m e , but he found only the h e r b s o f the earth, the food of the brute animals. After the foods o f Paradise they found this sustenance disagreeable.

3

T h e n A d a m said to Eve: "Let us repent a n d d o p e n a n c e , a n d put a w a y from u s s o m e of o u r sins a n d transgressions". E v e s a i d : " Instruct m e , for I do not k n o w h o w to d o p e n a n c e " . A d a m replied: " Let us adore t h e L o r d , a n d k e e p s i l e n c e , w i t h n e i t h e r o f u s s p e a k i n g to t h e o t h e r . L e t y o u g o t o t h e r i v e r T i b e r , a n d I will g o to t h e r i v e r J o r d a n " , s a i d h e . " L e t y o u r e m a i n f o r t h i r t y - t h r e e d a y s in t h e T i b e r , a n d I s h a l l b e f o r f o r t y -

3. T H E P E N A N C E O F A D A M

s e v e n d a y s in t h e J o r d a n . T a k e w i t h y o u a s t o n e s l a b to p u t u n d e r y o u r f e e t , a n d let t h e w a t e r c o m e u p to y o u r n e c k b a n d let y o u r h a i r s p r e a d loose on either side o f y o u on the surface o f the river. Raise y o u r hand towards the Lord, direct your gaze towards the h e a v e n s a n d beseech t h e L o r d to f o r g i v e y o u f o r y o u r o f f e n c e " . 4

E v e s a i d : " I a m t o o d e f i l e d to p r a y to G o d , s i n c e m y f l e s h is c o r r u p t e d " . A d a m r e p l i e d to E v e ; " Let u s i m p l o r e all o f c r e a h o n b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g b y p u r e p r a y o " , s o t h a t all m a y b e s e e c h t h e L o r d w i t h u s f o r f o r g i v e n e s s of OUT transgression. Let u s f u l f i l ! t h e task, a n d let u s n o t b e distracted".

5

A d a m r e m a i n e d f o r f o r t y - s e v e n d a y s t h e r e a f t e r in t h e river J o r d a n , w h i l e E v e w a s t h i r t y - t h r e e d a y s in t h e river T i b e r . A n d a n g e l s c a m e f r o m G o d e v e r y d a y t o s p e a k to A d a m a n d t o i n s t r u c t h i m f o r a p e r i o d o f n i n e t e e n d a y s . Then A d a m i m p l o r e d t h e river J o r d a n w i t h its m a n y c r e a t u r e s t o fast w i t h h i m lo G o d f o r f o r g i v e n e s s o f h i s o f f e n c e . T h e n t h e river s t o o d still, a s d i d e v e r y l i v i n g c r e a t u r e in it. T h e y a s s e m b l e d a b o u t A d a m , a n d t h e y all p r a y e d , t h e a n i m a l s a n d t h e river i n c l u d e d . T h e y d i r e c t e d a g r e a t l a m e n t t o w a r d all t h e h e a v e n l y o r d e r s w h o a r e a r o u n d the Lord that A d a m m i g h t b e forgiven for his offence against G o d , a n d b e granted complete p a r d o n o f his sin. T h e y a s k e d for a habitation o n earth, a n d , after the separation o f soul from b o d y , a heavenly dwelling for A d a m himself, a n d for his family and descend a n t s a f t e r him, save for whoever disregarded the precept of the Lord.

6

T h e devil heard this utterance, a n d in the guise of an angel o f G o d he w e n t a g a i n to E v e in o r d e r to l u r e h e r o u t o f t h e river a n d i m p e d e h e r p e n a n c e . H e s a i d to h e r : " Y o u h a v e b e e n a l o n g t i m e in t h e river T i b e r , O E v e , a n d t h o u g h y o u r a p p e a r a n c e u s e d to b e p l e a s i n g , t h e r e h a s b e e n a c h a n g e in y o u r looks a n d form. Y o u h a v e destroyed a n d ruined y o u r e e l f . C o m e q u i c k l y o u t o f t h e river. G o d s e n t m e to t a k e c a r e o f y o u , a n d l o t a k e y o u f r o m t h e r i v e r " . E v e t h e n c a m e o u t of t h e w a t e r a n d a s s h e w a s ciiying herself on the bank she w a s o v e r c o m e by a faint w h i c h left h e r n e a r l y l i f e l e s s .

7

T h u s E v e d i d n o t r e c o g n i z e t h a t it w a s L u c i f e r w h o h a d a s s u m e d t h e appearance of an angel of G o d , and her mind was perplexed. Lucifer s a i d to E v e : " Y o u a r e d e l i b e r a t i n g g r e a t l y , O E v e . It is b y o r d e r o f G o d

10

IRISH BIBLICAL A I ' O C R Y P H A

i n h e a v e n that 1 h a v e c o m e t o y o u . Let u s g o f r o m h e r e t o A d a m " , s a i d he, " s o that w e m a y beseech the h e a v e r J y G o d to grant y o u b o t h f o r g i v e n e s s o f y o u r s i n s " . T h e y w e n t t h e n to t h e p l a c e w h e r e A d a m w a s , in the river J o r d a n . W h e n A d a m s a w E v e a n d Lucifer he w a s seized b y trembling and loathing at the a p p e a r a n c e of the devil. " A l a s , Eve", said A d a m , "you have been deceived by the one who deceived y o u a l r e a d y i n P a r a d i s e . I a m g r i e v e d t h a t y o u left t h e river T i b e r b e f o r e a n a n g e l of G o d h a d c o m e to b r i n g y o u o u t " . 8

W h e n Eve heard A d a m ' s rebuke she collapsed on the ground, and c a m e c l o s e to s u d d e n d e a t h . T h e n A d a m s a i d : " O L u c i f e r , d e v i l , w h y are you pursuing me? You caused our banishment from Paradise and t o o k p l e a s u r e i n o u r e x p u l s i o n . Y o u h a v e b r o u g h t m e lo d e j e c t i o n . B u t y o u r r e l e g a t i o n to h e l l w a s n o t c a u s e d b y u s , b u t b y t r e s p a s s a g a i n s t t h e K i n g o f H e a v e n . It w a s n o t u s w h o u r g e d y o u to a c t w i t h p r i d e a n d disobedience against the L o r d " .

9

L u d f e r said to A d a m : "All the misfortune which I have suffered c a m e u p o n m e b e c a u s e o f y o u , a n d I will tell y o u h o w it h a p p e n e d . W e w e r e both put out of heaven. W h e n your soul w a s joined to your b o d y and y o u w e r e c r e a t e d in t h e l i k e n e s s o f G o d , all w e r e a d c e d t o d o y o u r e v e r e n c e . M i c h a e l w a s s e n t to y o u f r o m h e a v e n a n d h e b r o u g h t y o u to a d o r e t h e c r e a t o r . W h e n y o u h a d a d o r e d t h e K i n g o f t h e h e a v e n l y p l a n e t s , h e o r d e r e d all o f c r e a t i o n t o h o n o u r y o u e t e r n a l l y . T h e n G o d sent Michael throughout the seven heavens to get angels a n d a r c h a n g e l s t o c o m e in t h e i r h o s t s to p a y h o m a g e to h i s l i k e n e s s . A n d Michael told m e that I w o u l d b e foremost of all.

10

Thereafter I c a m e a n d seated myself before the Lord. A n d the King s a i d to t h e n i n e g r a d e s o f a n g e l s a n d t o t h e h o s t o f h e a v e n : " L e t y o u d o h o n o u r a n d r e v e r e n c e to m y l i k e n e s s , A d a m " . T h e n M i c h a e l s a i d : " It i s fitting f o r e v e r y h e a v e n l y o r d e r to p a y h o m a g e a n d r e s p e c t to y o u r l i k e n e s s " . T h e r e u p o n I s a i d t h a t A d a m w a s n o t t h e m o s t s e n i o r o f all c r e a t i o n , a n d t h a t it w a s n o t p r o p e r that t h e s e n i o r s h o u l d d o h o n o u r d o the junior. Then a third of the heavenly host, both angels a n d archangels, said that m y statement w a s justifiable. T h e King then said to h i s c o m p a n y : " It is t h e j u n i o r w h o is to b e r e g a r d e d a s t h e h i g h e s t in h e a v e n for a s long a s I dwell t h e r e " . I said that I would not go to p a y h o m a g e to A d a m e v e n if all o t h e r s d i d s o , b e c a u s e I w a s t h e m o s t

3 . T H E P E N A N C E OF A D A M

11

senior. Thereafter I w a s immediately cast out of heaven o n your a c c o u n t , O A d a m , s i n c e I o p p o s e d t h e will o f G o d . AH o f o u r h o s t , a t h i r d o f t h e h o u s e h o l d o f h e a v e n , w e r e s e n t to h e l l , w h i l e y o u r e m a i n e d i n P a r a d i s e a f t e r u s . Y o u w o u l d h a v e h a d a f o r t u n a t e life a f t e r w a r d s , if n o c h a n g e h a d c o m e u p o n you". n

"I s a y to y o u , O A d a m " , s a i d L u c i f e r , " t h a t e v e r y h a r m a n d t r o u b l e w h i c h y o u will s u f f e r will b e c a u s e d b y m e , a n d all m y e v i l - d o i n g will b e directed at y o u , O A d a m . M o r e o v e r , I will bring y o u r family and d e s c e n d a n t s into conflict a n d strife, misfortunes a n d pesliJenres, diseases a n d great tribulations for as long as they live, because of m y h o s t i l i t y to y o u " .

12

T h e n A d a m c a m e out o f the river after completing forty-seven d a y s o f p e n a n c e , a n d L u d f e r d e p a r t e d . A d a m and Eve remained in a s t a t e of depression and s h a m e afterwards. For a year the couple werealone, w i t h n o s u s t e n a n c e e x c e p t t h e h e r b s a n d g r a s s o f t h e e a r t h to e a t , l i k e e v e r y b r u t e a n i m a l , a n d w a t e r d r u n k f r o m the p a l m s o f their h a n d s . T h e y h a d neither c l o t h i n g o r shelter o r fire, r e m a i n i n g u n d e r the s h a d e o f t r e e s o r in t h e d r y c a v e s o f t h e e a r t h .

4.THE DEATH OF ADAM 1

L e t y o u k n o w w i t h o u t d o u b t A d a m ' s l i f e - s p a n . It w a s n o t s h o r t . H e h a d t r u l y n i n e h u n d r e d a n d t h i r t y y e a r s o f life.

2

T h e n a t h o r o u g h i l l n e s s c a m e o n A d a m , a s it c o m e s o n a l l . H i s w i f e . E v e , i n e v e r y w a y e x c e l l e n t , a w a i t e d h i s f i n a l testanu^nt.

3

A d a m k n e w h i s c o n d i t i o n , a n d s a i d t o fair a n d m o d e s t E v e : "I a m g o i n g to d i e f r o m t h i s i l l n e s s , a n d b e p a r t e d f r o m y o u , a n d f r o m y o u r offspring".

4

" A p i t y b e f o r e G o d that y o u s h o u l d n o t b e r e m a i n i n g h e r e , a n d t h a t it is n o t I w h o is g o i n g f i r s t " , s a i d E v e c l e a r l y to A d a m .

5

" A l a s for y o u r deterioration, O A d a m " , said E v e . "I shall b e w r e t c h e d and without strength here, since you are going first".

6

" O e x c e l l e n t a n d c o m e l y E v e , u n d e r s t a n d d e a r l y t h a t it i s e v i d e n t t h a t y o u will n o t b e h e r e i n t o r m e n t f o r l o n g a f t e r m e " .

7

8

' T r u l y , t h e r e w a s a s h o r t s p a n o f t i m e b e t w e e n o u r c r e a t i o n s . T h u s it is c l e a r t h a t y o u will b e o n l y n i n e m o n t h s i n s u f f e r i n g a f t e r m e " . ' T e l l m e without shortcoming, O h u s b a n d , what I shall d o with y o u r b e l o v e d b o d y , s i n c e y o u a r e s u r e t h a t y o u r d e a t h is a t h a n d , O m y l o r d Adam".

9

10

" L e t n e i t h e r f o o t n o r h a n d t o u c h m e . Let n o b o d y c o m e to d i s t u r b m e , until t h e r e s h a l l b e a m e s s a g e f r o m G o d in h e a v e n c o n c e r n i n g t h e disposition of m y dear b o d y " . " D o not m o v e m y corpse from its c o n f i n e m e n t - an agreeable task. I a m a s s u r e d that t h e n o b l e c r e a t o r w h o f a s h i o n e d m e will p r o v i d e f o r my body".

11

" R i s e u p d i l i g e n t l y . E v e , a n d k e e p a c r o s s - v i g i l . Let y o u u t t e r a fitting call t o G o d t h a t m y s o u l g o e s c l e a r l y to h e a v e n " .

12

4 . T H E DEATH O F ADAM

12

13

" T h e s o u i w h i c h G o d h a s c r e a t e d for m e , h e h a s s u m m o n e d , t h o u g h it b e u n c l e a n . L e t it c o m e to h i m i n t a c t , to h i s d w e l l i n g i n t h e c o m p a n y of the angelic host".

13

" O wife, as regards m y g o o d King, m a y h e not bestow o n m e truly the anger which h e [formerly] s h o w e d - a clear course. May w e have tenderness and mercy".

14

" O E v e , b e s e e c h t h e g l o r i o u s K i n g that h e m a y c o m e i n e x c e l l e n c e to m e e t m e , a n d i f he does not c o m e a t m y impetuous endeavour, m a y the archangel Michael c o m e " .

15

E v e rose a n d turned towards the g r o u n d , weeping a n d lamenting g r e a t l y . F o r the s p a c e o f a n h o u r s h e w a s e n g a g e d t h u s , w r e t c h e d l y a n d tearfully.

16

"I b e s e e c h y o u , O m y K i n g " , s a i d fair E v e , " i s it f i t t i n g f o r u s to s p e a k in y o u r p r e s e n c e , s i n c e w e h a v e a d o r e d y o u h e r e ? "

17

" M y t r a n s g r e s s i o n a n d o f f e n c e is s o g r e a t t h a t , u n l e s s 1 r e m a i n i n constant penitence,and unless you grant m e forgiveness, I a m not able to s p e a k w i t h p u r i t y " .

18

T h e wretched E v e knelt d o w n on the ground, a n d said resolutely: " O K i n g o f h e a v e n , 1 d i r e c t m y t e a r s t o y o u until t h e w a r r i o r M i c h a e l c o m e s to m e , to c l e a n s e t h e s o u l o f A d a m , l o r e l i e v e h i m o f h i s f a u l t s , a n d to g u i d e h i m a f t e r d e a t h to t h e h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s " .

19

"Rise u p from the ground, O Eve. Y o u r words have assuredly been h e a r d . Y o u r tidings h a v e r e a c h e d t h e p i n n a c l e o f h e a v e n . The

warrior

M i c h a e l h a s c o m e to y o u " . 20

21

" O fair E v e , A d a m ' s s o u l h a s d e p a r t e d f r o m h i s b o d y . W i t h y o u r t w o h a n d s arrange with affection his fair countenance, a good a n d precious task". T h e r e a f t e r , E v e h a s t e n e d to b e l o v e d A d a m , a n d f o u n d that h e w a s n o t breathing.

14

22

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

W h e n t h e fair E v e d i d n o t h e a r t h e v o i c e o f A d a m r e p l y t o h e r , t h i s o v e r c a m e her m i n d , a n d brought on immoderately excessive w e e p i n g and continuous sorrowing.

23

" O E v e , l o o k u p , a n d a l l o w m e to i n s t r u c t y o u . D i r e c t y o u r k e e n p u r e g a z e a s s i d u o u s l y u p w a r d s to t h e h e a v e n s " .

24

" O w o m a n , lift u p y o u r f a i r c o u n t e n a n c e , a n d s e e the s o u l o f A d a m a s it is b o r n e r e s p l e n d e n t l y in t h e m i d s t o f h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s " .

25

T h e n E v e t u r n e d to l o o k ai t h e s o u l o f Adam, gentle soul a c c o m p a n y i n g Michael.

26

A s E v e then w a s recognizing the soul o f A d a m , she s a w a host of choirs i n g i n g a n g e l s a p p r o a c h it o n its j o u m e y .

27

and s h e s a w h i s b e l o v e d

A f t e r t h a t . E v e s a w t h e s e r a p h i m w i t h n o b l e m o v e m e n t in f r o n t o f t h e h o s t . B e a u t i f u l w a s t h e b e l o v e d o n e w h o m it r a i s e d u p w i t h t h r e e golden wings.

28

Thereafter, Eve saw across the sky three bright resplendent birds. She w a s d u m b - s t r u c k b y their brilliance.

29

A s s h e l o o k e d eagerly at the birds, they a p p e a r e d s o like r a y s of bright sun that she could not g a z e at them.

30

T h e choir of holy angels surrounding Michael w a s heard a s far a s misty heaven. T h e ranks arrayed themselves nobly and distinctively a r o u n d A d a m at the altar.

31

T h e a n g e l s s u r r o u n d i n g t h e a l t a r s a n g fitting h a r m o n i e s . In f r o n t o f every host they burned the herb called o m a m e n t u m .

32

T h e s t r o n g s m o k e w a s d i r e c t e d s t r a i g h t u p t h r o u g h the a t m o s p h e r e , s o that it o p e n e d w i d e t h e g a t e s o f t h e f i r m a m e n t .

33

A n d G o d c a m e in h o l i n e s s f r o m h e a v e n to r e c e i v e t h e s o u l o f A d a m . T h e r o y a l P r i n c e , t h e m l e r o v e r e v e r y p l a c e , sat o n h i s t h r o n e .

4. T H E DEATH OF ADAM

34

15

O n e splendid angel from a m o n g the angelic host went, with pure course, before the great King, and pleasantly played clear pure music. Its beautiful sound extended throughout the seven heavens.

35

At t h e s o u n d o f t h e t r u m p e t , t h e e n t i r e h o s t o f t h e n i n e [ a n g e l i c ] o r d e r s c a m e i n s p l e n d o u r . T h e i r b r i g h t c o m p a n y w a s t r u l y i m p r e s s i v e in front o f t h e r o y a l s e a t o f t h e C r e a t o r .

36

T h e y s a n g t o g e t h e r , a m o s t b e a u tiful t h i n g , i n c o m p a n i e s a n d in c h o i r s : " B l e s s e d at all t i m e s i s t h e H i g h K i n g of e v e r y e s s e n o ; " .

37

A l l t h e c o m p l e t e h o s t o f t h e p u r e h o l y a n g e l s b o w e d d o w n to t h e g r o u n d . T h e y b e s e e c h e d [ t h e i r l b e l o v e d G o d to f o r g i v e t h e o f f e n c e o f Adam.

38

" O King, who created your likeness out of nothing, we implore you, in y o u r love, h a v e m e r c y o n h i m " .

39

40

T h e r e u p o n the mighty king sent the seraphim, with wings o f red gold, s w i f t l y a l o n g t h e s l o p e s b y t h e s i d e o f the h o s t . ft t o o k t h e s o u l o f A d a m w i t h o u t d i f f i c u l t y , a n d b a t h e d it in t h e s t r e a m of...

41

T h e n it t o o k t h e b r i g h t p u r e s o u i o f A d a m o u t o f t h a t s t r e a m , a n d p l a c e d it f o r e m o s t b e f o r e t h e c o u n t e n a n c e o f t h e C r e a t o r .

42

T h e s o u l o f A d a m , w i t h fair l o v e , t h r e w i t s e l f o n t h e g r o u n d , a n d r e m a i n e d l y i n g b e f o r e t h e m i g h t y K i n g f o r t h e s p a c e o f t h r e e full hours.

43

T h e n the King placed his h a n d o v e r the head of the soul of A d a m , a n d c o m m e n d e d h i m u n s t i n t i n g l y to M i c h a e l - p l e a s a n t t o r e p o r t .

44

" O M i c h a e l , d o n o t b e rerniss in t a k i n g g r e a t c a r e o f t h e s o u l o f A d a m , w h i c h h a s placed itself here in Paradise".

45

" T a k e w i t h t h e h o s t s t h e b r i g h t p u r e s o u l o f n o b l e A d a m , a n d p l a c e it in t h e p e a c e f u l g a t h e r i n g i n t h e third r o y a l s e c t i o n o f P a r a d i s e " .

16

46

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

G o d s a i d : "In terlio caelo,

w h i c h i s c a l l e d F i c c o n i c i a , t h e r e let h i m b e ,

w i t h o u t s i g n o f p a i n , until t h e t i m e o f t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n " . 47

M e l o d i o u s w a s the c l e a r c h o r a l - s i n g i n g o f all t h e o r d e r s o f e v e r y p l a c e , both angels and archangels, as they praised the Creator for remitting his sins a n d faults from A d a m ' s soul, a n d for b r i n g i n g him b a c k to Paradise without hostility.

48

" L e t y o u y o u r s e l v e s p u t t h e oil o f m e r c y a n d t h e h e r b o m a m e n t u m a r o u n d t h e b o d y o f A d a m to c l e a n s e it o f its f a u l t s " .

49

" L e t three perfect linen cloths b e arranged around the b o d y o f A d a m - a n o b l e d e e d . T h e n let it b e b u r i e d c a r e f u l l y b e s i d e t h e g r a v e o f A b e l " .

50

T h e n , a c c o r d i n g to m a n y l e a r n e d s o u r c e s , t h e r e w a s b u r i e d l o n g a g o in H e b r o n t h e b o d y o f o u r f o r e f a t h e r A d a m , in t h e s o r r o w f u l h a r s h captivity of death.

51

T h e b o d y o f A d a m r e n w i n e d h o n o u r a b l y i n i t s b u r i a i - p l a c e u n t i l it m e t w i t h t h e f i e r c e w a v e o f t h e d e l u g e , in h a r s h c i r c u m s t a n c e s .

52

T h e w a v e s of the deluge o v e r every plain, which razed m a n y lands, t o o k a w a y A d a m ' s h e a d , a n d b r o u g h t it to j e m s a l e m .

53

Thereafter, the head remained at the gate of J e m s a l e m . Later, the cross o f Christ w a s fixed without misfortune in the b o d y o f A d a m .

5.ADAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS 1

2

T h e f a c e o f A d a m , o f n o b l e a p p e a r a n c e , l o o k i n g e a s t w a r d at t h e M o u n t o f P a r t e c h in P a r a d i s e , w a s g l a d d e n e d a t t h e s i g h t o f t h e s u n o v e r t h e s u m m i t of the great mountain, " L e t u s a d o r e , let u s a d o r e y o u , O G o d " , w a s t h e first c r y h e u t t e r e d . W h e n h e s a w t h e b e a u t y o f E v e , h e s m i l e d f o r t h e first t i m e .

3

H i s first w a l k , a n u n h i n d e r e d c e l e b r a t i o n , w a s to t h e w e l l o f P a r t i a c h i n P a r a d i s e , H e first r a n , w i t h s w i f t s t e p , in o r d e r to s e e t h e b i r d s .

4

F o r fifteen d a y s , - t h i s is n o d e c e p t i o n - A d a m a n d E v e w e r e t o g e t h e r , until t h e r e c a m e t o t h e m a d e m o n [fallen] from h e a v e n , to t e m p t t h e m o n a Friday.

5

T h e d e m o n , with evil intent, a s s u m e d the form of the serpent, a very o p p o r t u n e b o d y . T h e l e t t e r s w h i c h h e u s e d for a g r e v i o u s c h a n t w e r e lae, U a u , la, lath.

6

Here is the k n o w n reason why "left" has connotations beyond those o f " r i g h t " . It r e s u l t s f r o m t h e f a c t t h a t it w a s t h e c r o o k e d l e f t h a n d w h i c h w a s r e a c h e d o u t to t h e a p p l e .

7

8

A f t e r t h e i r u n l a w f u l fransgression, t h e y w e r e c a s t i n t o t h e l o f t y l a n d o f Egypt. For a period of three m o n t l ^ after the rout, a single palm-tree provided food a n d shelter for them. C a i n w a s c o n c e i v e d - 1 d o n o t c o n c e a l it - a s a l s o w a s A b e l . T h e a c t i o n of the curse adhered to Cain, the decrepit creature of b o n d a g e .

9

A b e l a n d C a i n , w i t h o u t c o n c e a l m e n t , w e n t to s a c r i f i c e t w o r a m s . T h e glorious King did not accept the sacrifice which Cain h a d brought.

10

T h e powerful grace o f the K i n g descended on the sacrifice of Abel. A s a r e s u l t , C a i n , t h e s i n f u l a n d t r e a c h e r o u s m a n , w a s filled w i t h e n v y and anger. 17

18

11

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

In h i s v i o l e n t h a n d C a i n s e i z e d t h e b l a m e w o r t h y j a w - b o n e o f a c a m e l . H e l e a p t f u r i o u s l y o n A b e l , a n d killed h i m w i t h a s i n g l e b l o w .

12

W e a r e t o l d b y t h e e x p e r t s , t h o s e m e n o f m e l o d i o u s l e a r n i n g , that f r o m a n c i e n t t i m e s t h e s t o n e s d i d not g r o w , o n c e t h e b l o o d o f A b e l h a d touched them.

13

Thereafter, seven swellings c a m e on the b o d y of C a i n a s a result o f his kin-slaying. T h e r e w a s a l u m p o n each o f his two feet, and t w o l u m p s for his h a n d s .

14

T h e r e w a s a protuberance o n his forehead, alas, a n d o n e on each of his t w o c h e e k s . It w a s t h e g r i e v o u s l u m p o n h i s f o r e h e a d t h a t w a s s t r u c k b y the c a s t o f L a m i a c h .

15

T h e f o r c e f u l L a m i a c h , t h e b i g a m i s t , w a s t h e first m a n to t a k e t w o w i V K . B y h i s h a n d d i s h o n o u r a b l e C a i n fell, a f t e r L a m i a c h h a d throwm t h e a p p l e at h i m .

6.THE TWO SORROWS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN W h y i s t h e r e m e n t i o n o f s o r r o w in h e a v e n ? T h e s o l u t i o n i s n o t d i f f i c u l t . E l i j a h a n d E n o c h i m p l o r e d t h e L o r d t h a t they s h o u l d b e c o n v e y e d tx)dily to h e a v e n . S o , b e c a u s e o f t h e i r o u t s t a n d i n g m e r i t in t h e s e r v i c e o f G o d o n e a r t h , t h e y w e r e b o r n e to P a r a d i s e i n t h e i r h u m a n f o r m . T h e r e , r o u n d about t h e m in flight, w e r e the bright, clear, weightless s o u l s , l i g h t a s a i r , i n t h e f o r m o f a n g e l s . B u t Elijah a n d E n o c h w e r e i n their earthly, heavy, inert bodies, a n d w e r e n o t able to be a l o n g s i d e t h e m . T h e y w e r e g r e a t l y s a d d e n e d a n d g r i e v e d n o t to b e i n t h e c o m p a n y o f theangels. T h u s w e have the two sorrows of the k i n g d o m of heaven. E l i j a h w e n t a s f a r a s t h e t r e e o f life in P a r a d i s e , to p r e a c h , w i t h g o s p e l b o o k in h a n d , to t h e b i r d s t h e r e . T h e b i r d s c a m e , a n d w e r e e a t i n g t h e b e r r i e s o f t h e t r e e . T h e s e w e r e l a r g e b e r r i r a , s w e e t e r t h a n all h o n e y , a n d m o r e intoxicating than every wine. They continued eating the berries. T h e n Elijah o p e n e d the gospel. With that, the b i r d s pressed t h e i r w i n g s a n d feet to t h e i r b o d i e s , a n d s t i r r e d n e i t h e r w i n g n o r f o o t until the s e r m o n e n d e d . H e p r e a c h e d to t h e m a b o u t t h e D a y o f J u d g e m e n t , i n p a r t i c u l a r , a b o u t t h e t o r t u r e s to b e m e t e d o u t to t h e s o u l s o f c e r t a i n p e r s o n s o n D o o m s d a y . The four rivers around M o u n t Sion would b e assigned to b u m s o u l s f o r t e n t h o u s a n d y e a r s ( a n d t h e r e a r e ten h u n d r e d y e a r s i n each thousand). T h u s , a great a m o u n t of distress awaits the sinner. P o r t u n a l e is h e w h o h a s a c c u m u l a t e d g o o d l y m e r i t , e v e n o n t h a t d a y itself. F o r t h o u g h a p e r s o n h a d n o o t h e r a n x i e t y b u t j u d g e m e n t - d a y , y e t , a s l o n g a s h e l i v e s , h e s h o u l d n o t r e s t f r o m t h i n k i n g a b o u t it. Moreover, he should contemplate the coming of Christ, with the nine g r a d e s o f h e a v e n , w i t h all e a r t h l y m e n e v e r b o m , a n d e v e r t o b e b o m , a n d w i t h t h e h o s t o f h e l l . T h u s will J e s u s C h r i s t a p p e a r w i t h h i s r e d d e n e d c r o s s o n h i s b a c k , to a v e n g e h i s c m c i f i x i o n o n t h e m a s h e c o m e s to s a v e t h e m f r o m t h e m a w o f the d e v i l .

19

20

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

4

T h e h o s t a ^ e m b l e d t h e r e will b e e n o r m o u s . M o r e o v e r , i t i s in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h a t h o s t that all w i l l s e t f o r t h t h e i r d e e d s , b o t h g o o d a n d b a d . E a c h in t u r n w h e n r e q u e s t e d will r e v e a l w h a t h i s e y e s s a w , w h a t his mouth a n d tongue said, what was d o n e by hishands, and what w a s traversed b y his feet. Christ, son o f G o d , a l o n g with the a n g e l s of h e a v e n , a n d t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f e a r t h a n d o f h e l l , will b e l i s t e n i n g to all u n t i l t h e r e v e l a t i o n s a r e c o m p l e t e d . E a c h p e r s o n will b e r e m i n d e d o f every wrong which he committed by his accompanying demon, w h o k e e p s w a t c h o n h i m c o n s t a n t l y a t h i s left s i d e . O n h i s right, m o r e o v e r , is h i s a t t e n d a n t a n g e l w h o will r e c a l l f o r h i m all t h e g o o d w h i c h h e h a s done.

5

A f t e r all o f t h i s i s c o m p l e t e d , C h r i s t d e c l a r e s : " C o r i s i d e r , O j u d g e s , w h e t h e r the g o o d d o n e b y this m a n o u t w e i g h s the evil". W h e n the g o o d triumphs Christ says: "Enter, then, into the c o m p a n y of angels". T h e a n g e l s c o m e t o m e e t h i m w i t h a r m s o u t s t r e t c h e d . " W e l c o m e " , say a l l . I In a n o t h e r i n s t a n c e , o n e h e a r s ! : " H e w i l l c o m e to m e . T h a t m a n h a s g o o d a n d evil i n e q u a l m e a s u r e . H a l f o f h i m b e l o n g t o m e " , s a y s t h e d e v i l . " T h e s o u l will n o t b e d i v i d e d " , s a y s C h r i s t , " a n d s i n c e m y p o w e r i s t h e m i g h t i e r , h e will g o w i t h m e " . In t h e c a s e o f t h e m a n in w h o m e v i l p r e d o m i n a t e s , [ h e is t o l d ] to g o in h i s w i c k e d n e s s t o t h o s e w h o m h e h a s c h o s e n . D e m o n s c o m e to m e e t h i m , a n d treat h i m w i t h hostility. At last, w h e n the decisions about the fate of the children o f A d a m a r e c o m p l e t e d , t h e n C h r i s t will b i d t h o s e w h o h a v e c h o s e n t h u s to d e p a r t w i t h t h e d e v i l a n d h i s r a b b l e , t o b e c a s t i n t o h i s c o m p a n y i n t h e e t e r n a l a b y s s . T h e s e will rise t h e n , u t t e r i n g a s i n g l e c r y a s t h e d e v i l d r a g ^ t h e m w i t h h i m to h e l l .

6

T h e r e a r e , i n d e e d , t h r e e p a r t i c u l a r c r i e s in t h e w o r l d . T h e r e i s t h e c r y m a d e b y the people of G o d as they w e r e b e i n g forced b y Pharaoh a n d t h e E g y p t i a n s t o w a r d s t h e R e d S e a , to b e slain a n d e x t e r m i n a t e d , a n d their sons a n d daughters enslaved forever, unless G o d delivered t h e m . T h e n t h e r e is t h e c r y o f t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f h e l l , a n d t h e s o u l s o f those of the children o f A d a m w h o died before the crucifixion o f C h r i s t , t h a t is, t h o s e w h o m h e t o o k to s p i t e t h e d e v i l , s o t h a t t h e y c a m e t o t h e a b o d e s o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n . T h e c r y , t h e r e f o r e , is t h a t u t t e r e d b y t h e s o u l s in t h e i r d e l i g h t a t e s c a p i n g f r o m t h e d e v i l , a n d t h e c r y o f t h e d e n i z e n s o f hell left b e h i n d . T h e third c r y i s t h a t o f t h e s o u l s o f t h o s e w h o m e r i t h e l l , a s t h e y a r e b e i n g d r a g g e d o f f to t h e e t e r n a l

6 . T i ! E T w o SORROWS O F T N E KINGDOM O F H E A V E N

21

dwelling of pain a n d torture, which has no end. Those, h o w e v e r , c h o s e n b y G o d , will g o to t h e e t e r n a l k i n g d o m w i t h C h r i s t , s o n o f G o d , to r e m a i n t h e r e f o r e v e r a m o n g t h e h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s . 7

T h u s Elijah preaches of the distress of D o o m s d a y , a s w e h a v e m e n tioned already, though w e relate here only a few things out of m a n y . T h e n w h e n t h e c l e r i c c l o s e s h i s b o o k , t h e b i r d s e m i t a c r y , a n d b e a t their w i n g s a g a i n s t t h e i r s i d e s until s t r e a m s o f b l o o d f l o w f r o m t h e m , in terror before the Day of j u d g e m e n t .

8

N o w this Elijah a n d E n o c h , o f w h o m w e h a v e been speaking, a w a i t their slaying a n d m a r t y r d o m in fulfillment o f the p r o p h e c y o f the L o r d , u t t e r e d t h r o u g h t h e m o u t h o f t h e p r o p h e t : Quis est homo qui uiuit et non uidebit mortem? " W h o h a s t a s t e d o f l i f e w h o will n o t l a s t e d e a t h ? " A t t h e e n d o f t h e w o r l d t h e y w i l l o p p o s e A n t i c h r i s t , w h o will b e p u t to t h e s w o r d b y t h e m . A d e m o n i n h u m a n f o r m is this A n t i c h r i s t , i n t h e g u i s e o f o n e w h o c o m e s to s p r e a d f a i t h . A b i s h o p will b e g e t h i m o n h i s d a u g h t e r o n a F r i d a y . It is s a i d t h a t t h e r e is n o m i r a c l e p e r f o r m e d b y C h r i s t o n e a r t h t h a t h e will n o t p e r f o r m , e x c e p t f o r t h e r a i s i n g o f t h e d e a d . H o w e v e r , h e will b e full o f l u s t a n d f a l s e h o o d . H e will b e t h i r t y t h r e e a n d a h a l f y e a r s o l d , t h e s a m e a g e a s that o f C h r i s t . T h e i n v e r s i o n o f h i s w r i t i n g - t a b l e t in f r o n t o f h i m is a s i g n b y w h i c h h e w i l l b e r e c o g n i z e d . H e will p u t t o t h e s w o r d e v e r y o n e w h o d o e s n o t b e l i e v e in h i m , for h e will declare himself to b e the son o f G o d , o n e w h o w a s f o r e t o l d b y p r o p h e t s . It i s M i c h a e l w h o will d e s c e n d f r o m t h e h e a v e n s to c r u s h h i m , a n d it is h e w h o will s e t u p o n h i m wnth t h e s w o r d . A n d , finally, t h e r e a r e t h e t w o s o r r o w s o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n , E l i j a h a n d E n o c h , in t h e i r e a r t h l y b o d i e s a m o n g t h e a n g e l s o f h e a v e n , a w a i t i n g their encounter with Antichrist.

7.STORYOF DAVID 1

David had two famous sons, Solomon and Absalom. Absalom's a p p e a r a n c e s u r p a s s e d t h a t o f a n y o n e o n e a r t h . The i n c r e a s i n g g r o w t h o f h i s h a i r w a s s u c h that t h r e e l i m e s i t s w e i g h t i n g o l d w a s g i v e n e v e r y year, b e c a u s e his tresses w e r e m o r e beautiful than the gold fringing on r o y a l g a r m e n t s . H e w a s t h e b e s t h o r s e m a n in t h e w o r l d . H e r e c e i v e d l a n d f r o m D a v i d a f t e r a t i m e . T h e r e a f t e r D a v i d w i s h e d to s l e e p w i t h the wife o f his soldier, that is, h e desired the wife o f the c o m r a d e w h o u s e d to b e a t h i s s i d e , t h o u g h [ a l r e a d y ! h e h a d fifty c o n c u b i n e s . H e s e n t the soldier to his son, A b s a l o m , with a royal m e s s a g e in o g h a m o n his s h i e l d u r g i n g w a r o n a p e o p l e o p p o s e d to D a v i d . T h e m e s s a g e o n t h e s h i e l d w a s , that o n c e t h e b a t t l e - i i n e s w e r e d r a w n u p , A b s a l o m w a s to m a k e his escape, leaving the soldier behind, for soldiers w o u l d never flee.

2

This w a s done. Battle w a s joined. A b s a l o m was defeated. T h e soldier w a s left b e h i n d . A b s a l o m a r r i v e d w i t h n e w s of t h e b a t t l e . D a v i d w a s looking out o v e r the city wall. " H a v e you tidings, lad?", h e asked. " W e w e r e d e f e a t e d a n d t h e s o l d i e r w a s left t h e r e " . " T h a t i s b a d " , s a i d D a v i d . " N o w [ h a v e a r e m a r k a b l e t a l e to t e l l " [ s a i d A b s a l o m ! . " G o o d " , s a i d D a v i d . ' T w o p e a s a n t s w e r e h e r d i n g s h e e p " [said A b s a l o m ! . " O n e o f t h e m h a d a single s h e e p , while his c o m p a n i o n h a d fifty. T h e m a n w h o h a d t h e fifty s h e e p w e n t a n d killed t h e m a n w h o h a d o n l y o n e s h e e p . W h a t t h e n s h o u l d b e d o n e to h i m ? " " I n d e e d h e s h o u l d b e s t o n e d to death", said David. "You have passed judgement on y o u r s e l f , said the l a d , " f o r y o u h a v e fifty w o m e n , a n d y o u h a d y o u r s o l d i e r slain f o r t h e sake of his only wife".

3

T h e lad w a s on his horse. H e turned the horse a w a y from him. T h e r e u p o n D a v i d let f l y a n a r r o w . T h e l a d t h r e w h i m s e l f b e h i n d t h e s h e l t e r o f a p i l l a r - s t o n e , a n d t h e a r r o w l o d g e d in t h e p i l l a r . T h e n D a v i d w a s o v e r c o m e b y r e g r e t . H e p r e s s e d h i s f a c e to t h e g r o u n d , a n d r e m a i n e d t h u s f o r t h r e e d a y s a n d t h r e e n i g h t s . It w a s t h e n t h a t h e c h a n t e d Miserere met Deus secundum magnam. N o w e v e r y o n e w h o s a y s t h e p s a l m a f t e r t r a n s g r e s s i o n will h a v e h i s s i n f o r g i v e n . 22

8.THE POWER OF WOMEN T h e r e w a s a f a m o u s k i n g of the G r e e k s called S o l o m o n . A g r e a t feast w a s p r e p a r e d f o r h i m b y a k i n g f r o m o n e o f h i s t r i b e s . T h e y all g r e w very drunk. T h e r e were untrustworthy persons close to the Idng. "Let m e b e g u a r d e d b y y o u tonight", h e told three friends from his [ o w n ] h o u s e h o l d . " T h a t will b e d o n e " , t h e y r e p l i e d . In t h i s m a n n e r t h e y w e r e e n g a g e d in their watch, with a barrel o f w i n e b e s i d e them, a n d a s e r v a n t h o l d i n g a c a n d l e in t h e i r d i r e c t i o n . T h e y w e r e all a t t e n d i n g l o e a c h o t h e r . " I n d e e d , it is w e l l f o r u s " , s a i d o n e o f t h e t h r e e m e n . " L e t u s g i v e thanks to our lord. Except in one regard, our bodily sensra are i n a f a v o u r a b l e s t a t e . T h e feet r e j o i c e i n b e i n g s t r e t c h e d o u t w i t h o u t m o t i o n . T h e h a n d s r e j o i c e i n d i s p e n s i n g [ f o o d ] to t h e b o d y . T h e e y e s r e j o i c e i n v i e w i n g t h e p r e p a r a t i o n . N o s e s r e v e l in t h e a r o m a , l i p s , i n t h e t a s t e . O n e a r e a , h o w e v e r , i s n o t b e i n g p l e a s e d , a n d t h a t is o u r h e a r i n g , f o r n o n e o f u s h e a r s a g r e e a b l e s a y i n g s b e i n g p a s s e d f r o m o n e to another". T h e q u e s t i o n is p u t : " W h a t w i l l w e d i s c u s s ? " " N o t d i f f i c u l t t h e r e s o l u t i o n . W e will s e e k t o a s c e r t a i n w h a t p o w e r o n e a r t h is t h e s t r o n g e s t " . " I k n o w " , s a i d t h e R o m a n w a r r i o r . " I t is w i n e . F o r i t is w i n e w h i c h intoxicated the host, leaving them without reason o r sense, so that they w e r e d e m e n t e d l y d r u n k , c a s t i n t o sleep, a n d at t h e m e r c y o f t h e i r enemies". "That is a good case", s a i d t h e G r e e k , " b u t it s e e m s to m e t h a t t h e s t r o n g e r p o w e r is t h a t o f t h e r u l e r b y w h o m t h e w i n e w a s g i v e n . T h e r u l e r is s t r o n g e r t h a n o r d i n a r y m e n , a n d m a n is m o r e e s t i m a b l e t h a n t h e r e s t o f c r e a t i o n . It i s h i s p o w e r w h i c h c a u s e s u s t o b e s o b e r a n d sleepless, even though we are drinking wine". " W e l l " , said the Jewish warrior, w h o s e n a m e w a s Nemiasserus, " t h o s e w e r e g o o d p r o p o s i t i o n s . Y e t it a p p e a r s to m e t h a t t h e p o w e r o f w o m e n is t h e g r e a t e s t . It w o u l d b e n o w o n d e r if t h i s is w h a t y o u r e m e m b e r on the m o r r o w " . T h e y r e m a i n e d there until the m o r n i n g .

23

24

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

" S o n o w , w h a t j u d g e m e n t s w e r e p a s s e d a m o n g y o u last n i g h t ? " , asked the king. " T h i s o n e , indeed. W e w e r e considering what was the g r e a t e s t p o w e r o n e a r t h " . " I s a i d t h a t it w a s t h e p o w e r o f w i n e " , s a i d t h e R o m a n . " I s a i d that it w a s t h e p o w e r o f a k i n g " , s a i d t h e G r e e k . "1 s a i d t h a t it w a s t h e p o w e r o f w o m a n " , s a i d t h e J e w . T h e q u e e n w a s at the king*s side. T h e k i n g himself w a s wearing his g o l d e n c r o w n . " W i n e is t h e s t r o n g e r " , s a i d o n e m a n . " T h e p o w e r o f t h e k i n g is t h e s t r o n g e r " , s a i d a n o t h e r . " I s it t h e c a s e t h a t 1 a m w i t h o u t p o w e r ? " , a s k e d the q u e e n , striking the king's headgear with the p a l m o f h e r h a n d , s o t h a t [ t h e c r o w n ] fell o n t h e f l o o r o f t h e h o u s e . " S h e s h o u l d b e put to d e a t h " , said e v e r y o n e . T h e k i n g looked o v e r at her. Then the queen smiled. T h e king inmiediately smiled too. " N o harm will b e d o n e to t h e w o m a n " , s a i d t h e k i n g . " T h e r e it i s , t h e n " , s a i d N e m i a s s e r u s , " t h a t i s a m i g h t y p o w e r " . " I t is t r u e " , s a i d the k i n g , " t h e p o w e r o f w o m a n is m o r e p o w e r f u l t h a n all o t h e r s . F o r o n h e r b r o w is h e r a c c o m p a n y i n g S a t a n , s o t h a t o n e c a r u i o t r e p r o a c h h e r for a n y t h i n g she does".

9.THE DEATHS OF THE CHIEF PROPHETS H e r e f o l l o w s a d i s c u s s i o n of t h e d e a f l i s o f t h e c h i e f p r o p h e t s , w i t h r e f e r e n c e to t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e i r d e a t h s , a n d t h e l o c a t i o n s in which the prophets are buried. M a n a s s e h , s o n o f H e z e k i a h , k i l l e d I s a i a h , s o n o f A m o s , in t h i s w a y : H e h a d h i m r a i s e d o n h i g h , a n d cleft l e n g t h w i s e w i t h a h a c k s a w u n t i l h e d i e d . H e w a s buri£?d u n d e r n e a t h t h e o a k o f R o g e l . J e r e m i a h , h o w e v e r , w a s stoned b y the p e o p l e at T a p h n a i in Egypt, a n d h e w a s b u r i e d in t h i s s a m e T a p h n a i , t h e b u r i a l - p l a c e o f t h e p h a r a o h s , the kings of E g y p t T h u s w a s the death of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah of Analhoth. In t h e c a s e o f t h e p r o p h e t E z e k i e l , t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e p e o p l e o f I s r a e l killed h i m on account of the severity o f his a d m o n i s h m e n t , a n d the e x t e n t to w h i c h h e r e b u k e d t h e m f o r t h e i r s i n o f i m p i e t y . T h e p e o p l e b u r i e d h i m in the land o f M a o u r , b e s i d e the grave o f A r p a c h s h a d . T h e prophet Daniel, moreover, the son of Abda, after he had c o m p l e t e d h i s d a y s i n full h o l i n r a s , h e d i e d i n t h e B a b y l o n i a n c a p t i v i t y . H e w a s buried with h o n o u r alone in the royal t o m b , for n o person h a d b e e n b u r i e d t h e r e p r e v i o u s l y , a n d n o b o d y w a s to b e b u r i e d t h e r e afterwards.

25

THE NEW TESTAMENT 10. INFANCY GOSPEL It w a s t h e t i m e a n d s e a s o n w h e n s t e w a r d s a n d f u n c t i o n a r i e s of t h e R o m a n r u l e r , O c t a v i u s C a e s a r , c a m e to l e v y t h e C a e s a r i a n t r i b u t e . T h i s w a s t h e m a n n e r in w h i c h t h e t r i b u t e w a s c o l l e c t e d . E v e r y o n e in t h e w o r l d h a d t o g o to h i s o w n d i s t r i c t to p a y it, a n d it w o u l d n o t b e a c c e p t e d e l s e w h e r e . It w a s c a l l e d p o l l t a x b e c a u s e it w a s l e v i e d o n e v e r y h e a d o f l i v e s t o c k a n d c a t t l e , o n f a m i l y incmbcrsand spouses,as w e l l a s o n w e a l t h , c l o t h i n g a n d i m p l e m e n t s , a n d all m o v a b l e a n d i m m o v a b l e property, both land a n d produce, held throughout the world. W h e n Joseph (formerly called Moab iustus, because of his righteousness) h e a r d t h i s , h e set o u t w i t h h i s h o u s e h o l d , h i m s e l f a n d the Virgin M a r y , a n d Simeon, A m e o n , and J a m e s o f the Knees, his t h r e e s o n s , to ^ f r o m N a z a r e t h in G a l i l e e to B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a , s i n c e that w a s the city o f David, a n d Joseph had been b o m there. For Joseph a n d M a r y w e r e o f the family of D a v i d , there being forty generations e x a c t l y b e t w e e n J o s e p h a n d D a v i d . F o r that r e a s o n , t h e r e f o r e , t h e y w e n t to p a y C a e s a r ' s t r i b u t e t o B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a . W h e n t h e y c a m e n e a r t h e c i t y J o s e p h a n d A m e o n w e n t a h e a d to g e t lodgings, a n d M a r y stayed b e h i n d with J a m e s o f the K n e e s a n d S i m e o n , for she w a s very weary after the j o u m e y , being close to her t i m e o f d e l i v e r y . It w a s a f o u r - d a y j o u m e y f r o m N a z a r e t h in G a l i l e e to the city of Jerusalem, with two further d a y s from J e m s a l e m to B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a . It w a s n o w o n d e r , t h e n , that t h e m a i d e n w a s e x h a u s t e d a f t e r t h e l o n g trek. A n d w h e n J o s e p h r e a c h e d t h e c e n t r e o f t h e d t y , g r e a t g l a d n e s s c a m e u p o n h i m , a n d h e s a i d : " I t is m o s t fitting t h a t e v e r y o n e s h o u l d l o v e h i s n a t i v e p l a c e , a n d n o t h i n g is m o r e a p p r o p r i a t e t h a n t h a t e v e r y o n e s h o u l d b e a t e a s e in h i s o w n f a t h e r l a n d . . . A n d m y h e a r t is j o y o u s b e f o r e y o u , O B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a , a n d I a m gladdened b y the sight of y o u . You are the heritage which G o d granted t o t h e n o b l e a n d h o n o u r a b l e p a t r i a r c h , A b r a h a m . I, h o w e v e r , h a v e c o m e to t h i s c i t y to r e n d e r t r i b u t e to C a e s a r , a n d to s u f f e r h a r d s h i p o n that a c c o u n t " . 27

28

IKISH BiBLiCAi. A P O C R Y P H A

Joseph w a s seated thus on a stone, writing his declaration according to R o m a n l a w . T h i s is w h a t h e w r o t e : " I , J o s e p h , of t h e c i t y o f B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a , o f t h e t r i b e of D a v i d , a m a c c o m p a n i e d b y t h e v i r g i n M a r y , o f t h e s a m e t r i b e , w h o w a s e n t r u s t e d to m y c a r e b y t h e c a s t i n g of lots. I a m a c c o m p a n i e d also b y m y three sons, S i m e o n , A m e o n , a n d J a m e s of the Knees. 1 have no wealth save m y craftsman's tools. M o r e o v e r , t h e m a i d e n is w e a r y a f t e r t h e j o u m e y , a n d 1 h a v e c o m e i n a d v a n c e to s e e k l o d g i n g s f o r h e r , f o r s h e n e e d s a p l a c e to s t o p a n d r e s t , w h e r e t h e c h i l d in h e r w o m b will s u r v i v e " . T h e n J o s e p h r a i s e d h i s e y e s a n d s a w a c e r t a i n s e c l u d e d little h o u s e standing alone beside the city, a n d he said: " W e should remain at this h o u s e , s i n c e it s e e m s to m e t h a t it i s a n a b o d e f o r v i s i t i n g s t r a n g e r e " . T h e n J o s e p h w e n t in a n d l o o k e d a r o u n d , " i t is a s m a l l a b o d e " , s a i d h e , " y e t t h o u g h it b e s o , it is s u i t a b l e f o r p o o r p e o p l e . It i s r e m o t e f r o m t h e converse and clamour and display of the populace. Stay here, son, w h i l e I g o to t h e c i t y to s h o w m y w a r e s a n d f i n e c r a f t s m a n s h i p i n t h e h o p e o f f i n d i n g s o m e o n e w h o will g i v e m e s o m e t h i n g for t h e m " . While Joseph a n d his son were thus conversing together, the voice of t h e h e r a l d w a s h e a r d p r o c l a i m i n g lo t h e e m i n e n t p e o p l e o f t h e c i t y : " C o m e , m e n , a n d m a k e y o u r declaration withoutdelay,sinceCyrinus s o n o f G r i n , c h i e f raler o f t h e l a n d o f J u d a , is a b o u t l o g o i m m e d i a t e l y t o c o n f e r w i t h the k i n g o f t h e R o m a n s , O c t a v i u s A u g u s t u s . F o r t h a t r e a s o n , y o u a r e to c o m e y o u r s e l v e s w i t h y o u r m e n a n d w o m e n , y o u r sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your young and old, free and unfree, nobles and c o m m o n e r s . Give a written account of y o u r gold a n d silver, land a n d territory, livestock a n d cattle, clothing and implements, andall your goodsbesides. Write down your seniority, y o u r debts and y o u r credits, a n d render justly the tribute o f C a e s a r " . J a m e s h a s said that every time this tribute w a s levied e v e r y o n e in t h e w h o l e w o r l d h a d to d r a w u p a w i l l , a s i f o n t h e p o i n t o f d e a t h , a n d n o m a n c o u l d c o n c e a l a p e n n y - w o r t h o f h i s w o r l d l y g o o d s from t h a t l e v y . If h e d i d , e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d b e c o n f i s c a t e d f r o m h i m ... A s J o s e p h a n d A m e o n l i s t e n e d to t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n , J o s e p h s a i d to those w h o w e r e collecting the tribute: " Y o u h a v e given sufficient n o t i c e . E v e r y o n e w h o h a s t h e w h e r e w i t h a l will p a y h i s l a x to C a e s a r . C o m e h e r e a n d s e e t h i s h o u s e " , s a i d h e , " f o r it i s n o t r e a l l y a h o u s e a t

10. INFANCY

GOSPEL

29

all, b u t a s m a l l i n s i g n i f i c a n t c a v e c o n t a i n i n g a m a n g e r f o r a n a s s a n d o x . I s e e o n l y o n e b e d f o r t h e s t r a n g e r to r e s t , a n d o n e little w o o d e n s t o o l f o r a g u e s t to sit. T h e s e a r e t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e o w n e r o f t h e l o d g i n g , n o t m i n e a t a l l . All I h a v e a r e m y s m i t h ' s i m p l e m e n t s , a n d m y c r a f t s m a n ' s t o o l s , a n d t h o u g h t h e y s e e m p a l t r y t o y o u in t h e e s t i m a tion a n d reckoning o f the tribute, yet they p r o v i d e a m e a n s of livelih o o d f o r m y s e l f , a n d for m y t h r e e s o n s , a n d f o r the m a i d e n w h o m G o d s e n t i n t o m y k e e p i n g a f t e r the d r a w i n g o f l o t s , a n d w h o m I b r o u g h t f r o m the great temple o f Jerusalem, a n d from the sons of Israel. T h e s e are the only possessions I h a v e " . After h e h a d thus paid tribute on behalf of himself, a n d the four with h i m , a n d after the tax-collectors h a d departed, Joseph remained looking o u t a l o n g the road. In a short while he saw M a r y approach the e n t r a n c e to t h e d t y , w i t h S i m e o n o n o n e s i d e o f h e r , a n d J a m e s o f t h e K n e e s o n t h e o t h e r . J o s e p h s a i d to h i s s o n s : " Y o u w e r e a l o n g t i m e c o m i n g , s o n s " . " I t i s n o t that w e w e r e d i l a t o r y " , s a i d t h e s o n s , " b u t t h e m a i d e n w h o is w i t h u s is v e r y w e a r y , a n d e v e r y h o u r a n d m o m e n t o f the j o u r n e y exhausted her, a n d w e feared that she w o u l d g o into labour before she reached a resting-place". T h e n J o s e p h s a i d to M a r y : " Y o u h a v e e n d u r e d m u c h h a r d s h i p o n m y a c c o u n t . C o m e in a n d r e s t " . " O S i m e o n " , s a i d J o s e p h , " B r i n g w a t e r a n d w a s h t h e v i r g i n ' s f e e t , a n d g i v e h e r f o o d a n d all that s h e n e e d s , f o r I a m sure that no nobler service h a s ever been r e n d e r e d , since the v i r g i n will b o a r a h o l y i n f a n t k n o w n o n l y to t h e H e a v e n l y F a t h e r , t h e s a v i o u r o f a l l , and the creator o f e v e r y l i v i n g t h i n g " . " O f a t h e r " , s a i d S i m e o n , " T h e maiden is speaking, a n d I d o not k n o w w h o m she is a d d r e s s i n g " . " I t h i n k t h a t s h e is s u f f e r i n g f r o m t i r e d n e s s a n d d i s t r e s s " , s a i d J o s e p h . A n d w h e n J o s e p h l o o k e d at M a r y h e s a w that s h e w a s a l t e r n a t e l y s a d a n d j o y f u l . " H o w is it, g i r i " , h e s a i d , " t h a t a t o n e t i m e y o u a r e grieving, while at a n o t h e r time y o u are h a p p y ? " " I s e e t w o p e o p l e s " , s a i d s h e , " o n e o f w h i c h i s in m o u r n i n g , a n d t h e o t h e r i n gladness"... J o s e p h t o l d h e r to g o to h e r b e d a n d r e s t . " O S i m e o n " , s a i d h e , " a n o i n t t h e v i r g i n s ' s feet w i t h o i l " . S i m e o n d i d s o , a n d a f t e r J o s e p h h a d g o n e o u t S i m e o n f o l l o w e d h i m , a n d s a i d : " T h e v i r g i n is r a p i d l y b e i n g o v e r c o m e b y debility, and 1 think that she will g i v e birth without

30

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d e l a y " . "1 will n o t l e a v e h e r " , s a i d J o s e p h . " S i n c e y o u a r e m o r e a g i l e t h a n I a m , let y o u g o a r o u n d t h e c i t y in s e a r c h o f a m i d w i f e f o r h e r , f o r a c o m p e t e n t m i d w i f e g r e a t l y a s s i s t s a w o m a n in c h i l d b i r t h " , " H o w a m I to d o t h a t s i n c e I k n o w n e i t h e r t h e c i t y n o r its p e o p l e ? . Y e t 1 will g o , f o r I a m s u r e t h a t G o d will p r o v i d e a m i d w i f e f o r h e r , a n d e v e r y t h i n g else that s h e needs, for H e h a s special concern for h e r " . 10

A s t h e y c e a s e d t h e i r c o n v e r s a t i o n , t h e y s a w a g e n t l e , s t e a d y - e y e d girl approach swiftly, carrying a chair. " W h o are you, girl?", asked Joseph, " a n d w h a t is t h e c h a i r w h i c h y o u h a v e ? " " l t is a c h a i r f o r w o m e n in c h i l d b i r t h " , s a i d s h e . " M y m i s t r e s s s e n t m e to b r i n g it to y o u , a n d s h e will f o l l o w m e h e r s e l f w i t h o u t d e l a y , for a b e a u t i f u l h a n d s o m e y o u t h c a m e to g u i d e u s s p e e d i l y t o t h e v i r g i n w h o is w i t h y o u , to a s s i s t h e r i n g i v i n g b i r t h to t h e n o b l e k i n g " . T h i s a m a z e d t h e m . J o s e p h l o o k e d at t h e n e a r b y m o u n t a i n , a n d s a w a tall v e n e r a b l e w o m a n a t t h e surrunit, v i g o r o u s l y t r a v e r s i n g t h e hill w i t h s w i f t s t e p s u n t i l s h e s p e e d i l y reached the place in which w a s the noble senior o f Israel, J o s e p h .

11

A s J o s e p h s a w h e r a p p r o a c h h i m h e w e n t f o r w a r d to s p e a k t o h e r , a n d t h e y g r e e t e d e a c h o t h e r . T h e w o m a n s a i d to J o s e p h ; " W h e r e a r e y o u g o i n g ? " " I a m g o i n g to s e e k a H e b r e w w o m a n w h o w i l l a t t e n d to t h e v i r g i n w h o i s a b o u t to g i v e b i r t h to t h e t r u e G o d a n d t r u e m a n , t h e b e n e f i c e n t k i n g w h o is t h e c r e a t o r o f t h e f o u r e l e m e n t s " s a i d J o s e p h . " H e r e I a m " , said the w o m a n , " for I a m the best m i d w i f e of the Jewish people. Tell m e , g o o d m a n , are y o u an Israelite y o u r s e l f ? " "I a m , i n d e e d " , s a i d J o s e p h . " W h o is t h i s y o u n g w o m a n b r o u g h t to a c a v e l o d g i n g ? " , s h e a s k e d . " S h e is m a r r i e d to m e " , s a i d J o s e p h . " S h e is n o t y o u r w i f e a t a l l " , s a i d s h e . " S h e is c a l l e d t h e V i r g i n M a r y , s h e w a s r e a r e d i n t h e t e m p l e o f t h e L o r d , a n d it fell l o y o u b y lot to l o o k a f t e r a n d p r o t e c t h e r " . " T h a t is t r u e " , s a i d J o s e p h , " a n d s i n c e t h e L o r d h a s r e v e a l e d t h e s e t h i n g s t o y o u , I shall n o t c o n c e a l t h e m . L e t u s g o i n to see M a r y " , said Joseph.

12

W h e n t h e y w e n t to t h e d o o r o f t h e h o u s e t h e y s a w a s h i n i n g b r i g h t cloud a b o v e the cave, a n d such was the illumination, both inside the c a v e a n d o v e r t h e o u t s i d e , t h a t h u m a n e y e s c o u l d n o t g a z e o n it. " E n t e r " , said Joseph. "I w i l l " , said s h e , " a n d m a y the h a n d of G o d b e w i t h m e . A n d d o n o t s h o w m e a n y d i s r e s p e c t " , s h e s a i d . " F o r t h e r e is no m i d w i f e w h o is m y equal throughout the land of the J e w s " . " W e

10.

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31

should rather give thanks to G o d that through his grace y o u w e r e found t h u s " , said Joseph. " H e who does not esteem G o d ' s providence, and d o e s not s h o w gratitude, c o m m i t s a sin against the L o r d " . T h e n S i m e o n s a i d to J o s e p h ; " Y o u h a v e b e e n b l e s s e d , b e l o v e d f a t h e r , a n d t h e s a i n t s of h e a v e n a n d t h e e v e r l a s t i n g j o y o f all j o y s a r e wilh y o u , a n d y o u r h e l p e r , f r o m t h e G o d o f g o d s , t h e L o r d of l o r d s , w h o is w i t h o u t pride..." 13

T h e w o m a n went in, a n d shortly afterwards Joseph followed her. W h e n t h e y c a m e o u t a g a i n S i m e o n w a s wai t i n g at t h e e n t r a n c e o f th e c a v e , a n d he a s k e d the m i d w i f e for news. " W o m a n " , said S i m e o n , " h o w i s t h e v i i ^ n , a n d is t h e r e h o p e that s h e will l i v e ? " " I h a v e n e w s , i n d e e d " , she said... I bless m y G o d a n d Lord who revealed these things to m e , h i s s e r v a n t , u n w o r t h y t h o u g h I a m to w i t n e s s t h e m . A n d h o w a m I to r e l a t e t h e m " , s a i d s h e , " s i n c e t h e y a r e n e w a n d e x t r a o r d i n a r y t h i n ^ , like n o t h i n g experienced ever b e f o r e ? " " I beseech y o u for the l o v e o f G o d to d i s c l o s e t h e m t o m e " , s a i d S i m e o n . ' T h e y will n o t b e c o n c e a l e d from y o u " , s a i d s h e , " f o r in l i m e , t h e y will b e c o m m o n l y k n o w n t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e w o r l d , b u t t h e y h a v e b e e n s e c r e t u p to n o w . H e e d t h e s e w o r d s a n d a f f i x t h e m in y o u r h e a r t , s o n " , s h e s a i d .

14

" W h e n I c a m e to the place w h e r e the virgin was, I s a w her praying a n d b l e s s i n g t h e L o r d . I a s k e d h e r if s h e w e r e i n d i s t r e s s o f b o d y o r m i n d . S h e d i d n o t a n s w e r , b u t r e m a i n e d i m m o b i l e a s a r o c k , with h e r e y e s d i r e c t e d t o w a r d s h e a v e n , p r a y i n g u n c e a s i n g l y . T h e n all o f c r e a t i o n s t o o d still, t h e w i n d c e a s e d its s t o r m s , t h e o c e a n its r o a r . T h e s e a w a s quiet, the w a v e soundless, the land untraversed, swift-flowing rivers b e c a m e l i k e p o o l s , s l r e a t n s r e p o s e d a s if in s l e e p , fish r e m a i n e d still. T h e r e w a s not a quiver in the w o o d s , leaves w e r e motionless, a n i m a l s s t o o d at rest, birds did not fly, p e o p l e could not speak o r w o r k d u r i n g t h e s a c r e d t i m e w h i l e t h e v i r g i n w a s g i v i n g b i r t h to t h e e v e r l a s t i n g L o r d . A s s u r e d l y t h e f o u r e l e m e n t s r e c o g n i z e d t h e i r c r e a t o r ... T h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f h e l l w e r e h e l d fast, m o t i o n l e s s a n d m i s e r a b l e , w i t h o u t t h e a b i l i t y l o d o evil o r h a r m a g a i n s t c r e a t u r e o r d e v o u t p e r s o n fashioned b y G o d on that night of the divine birth... "

15

" T h e virgin w a s looking u p w a r d s , praying constantly... And w e s a w a b r i g h t Ught f r o m h e r s h i n e t h r o u g h o u t t h e c a v e , s o t h a t s h e w a s l i k e a single glorious radiance... M a n y angelic voices were heard a b o v e the

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c a v e p r a i s i n g t h e g r e a t L o r d , a n d g i v i n g s t r e n g t h to t h e v i r g i n i n s i d e . A n d t h e b r i g h t n e s s o u t s h o n e t h e tight o f t h e s u n a n d all t h e s t a r s . Moreover, a fragrance reached us which would delight everyone e v e r l a s t i n g l y , w i t h t h e p e r f u m e o f ail t h e fruit, w a x , s a f f r o n , a n d beautifulointmentsintheworld,an t h e h e r b s a n d plants and beautiful f r u i t s t h a t e v e r e x i s t e d in h o l y P a r a d i s e . M o r e w o n d e r f u l t h a n all o f t h e s e , i n d e e d , w a s t h e p l e a s u r e d e r i v e d from t h a t fragrance. A n d h e a v e n l y a n g e l s w e r e u n c e a s i n g l y in a t t e n d a n c e , s i n c e t h e r e is n o h u m a n b o m w h o could worthily partake of that mystery, except for the Virgin Mary herself". 16

" D e e p silence o v e r c a m e m e , a n d I w a s seized b y fear a n d terror at the sight of these miraculous events, for the infant w a s like a sphere of l i g h t , s u c h t h a t h u m a n e y e s c o u l d n o t l o o k o n . H e w a s b r i e f l y in t h i s form before assuming the shape and appearance of a child, and m y mind g r e w animated as 1 looked on him, and I bent d o w n and raised h i m u p . H e weighed nothing, unlike an ordinary child, a n d a s 1 e x a m i n e d h i m attentively, 1 could find neither blemish nor m a r k n o r t r a c e o f b l o o d o n h i m . It w a s a s if h e w e r e w a s h e d in t h e g e n t l e beautiful d e w of the noble Heavenly Father. N o k n o w n b o d y w a s so radiant, n o infant so weightless to carry, no human being w a s ever seen w h o s e b e a u t y w a s m o r e resplendent. I marvelled that his nature w a s n o t l i k e t h a t of a n y o t h e r c h i l d , for h e d i d n o t c r y o r w a i l , e x c e p t f o r a little a s h e w a s b e i n g p u t in t h e m a n g e r . H e w a s w i t h o u t t h e w e a k n e s s o f i n f a n c y , a n d a s I l o o k e d i n h i s face, h e s m i l e d a t m e , a n d n o w o r l d l y d e l i g h t w a s e v e r a s p l e a s i n g . T h e flash o f l i g h t f r o m h i s eyes o v e r s h a d o w e d the sunlight which reached throughout the c a v e a t d a w n from t h e e a s t " .

17

W h e n S i m e o n had heard these words he said: " Y o u are blessed and ever-fortunate, O devout a n d astute w o m a n , and though I a m the l o w l i e s t , it is p r o p i t i o u s f o r m e to ha v e h e a r d o f t h e s e w o n d e r s , t h o u g h I d i d n o t s e e t h e m . A n d I b e l i e v e all t h a t y o u r e l a t e " , s a i d S i m e o n .

11. THE WONDERS OF THE NIGHT OF THE NATIVITY 1

H e r e are related the seventeen w o n d e r s in the world on the night w h e n O i r i s t w a s b o m . It w a s o n t h e e i g h t h d a y b e f o r e t h e c a l e n d s o f J a n u a r y that h e w a s b o m . N u m e r o u s w e r e the miracles a n d w o n d e r s throughout the whole world on that night.

2

O n t h a t n i g h t t h e v i n e w a s f o u n d to h a v e r i p e n e d a nd to b e in full f r u i t in J e r u s a l e m .

3

O n t h a t rught a l s o , in t r u t h , t h e p a l m w a s f o u n d to b e b e a r i n g i t s b r i g h t crimson flower.

4

O n that n i g h t t w e l v e e a r s o f c l e a n c o m w e r e f o u n d i n t h e e a s t o f t h e p l a i n of B e t h l e h e m .

5

O n that night fourteen wells gushed from the plains and level l a n d s of Bethlehem.

6

O n the s a m e night every lock a n d chain and fastening, a n d e v e r y t e m p l e w a s f o u n d to h a v e o p e n e d o f i t s o w n a c c o r d .

7

O n t h a t n i g h t a g r e a t a n d o v e r w h e l m i n g l i g h t w a s s e e n to e n t e r all t h e t e m p l t s of the entire world, and n o n e of those temples shone m o r e brightly u n d e r a hot s u m m e r sun than they did o n that night.

8

T h i s w a s t h e s e v e n t h w o n d e r , that all t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f t h e d t y w e r e a w a k e n e d f r o m t h e i r s l e e p a n d s l u m b e r , a n d it w a s r e v e a l e d t o t h e m t h a t t h e s k y d o s e b y t h e m w a s full o f m a j e s t i c b r i g h t l y - s h i n i n g s t a r s , w h i c h i l l u m i n a t e d t h e w h o l e w o r l d from e a s t to w e s t .

9

T h e eighth w o n d e r w a s that the w i n d o w s a n d doors o f the great t e m p l e o f J e r u s a l e m all o p e n e d o f thoir o w n a c c o r d o n t h a t n i g h t .

10

T h e n i n t h w o n d e r w a s t h a t t h e i n f a n t s o f B e t h l e h e m in t h e i r m o t h e r s ' w o m b s got the p o w e r of speech, as did also the babies w h o w e r e being 33

34

IKISH B I B L I C A L

APOCRYPHA

s u c k l e d , a n d all of thenri w e r e p r a i s i n g t h e C r e a t o r . 11

T h e t e n t h w o n d e r w a s t h a t a well o f s p r i n g w a t e r b u r s t f o r t h i n t h e l a n d o f Israel i n a p l a c e w h e r e n o well h a d b e e n b e f o r e , a n d t h i s m a r v e l m a y still b e s e e n .

12

T h e e l e v e n t h w o n d e r w a s t h a t t h e r e w a s n o t a p l a i n o r fi e W i n t h e l a n d o f J u d a w h i c h w a s n o t filled o n that n i g h t w i t h f i e r y c r i m s o n f l o w e r s , all c o n t a i n i n g h o n e y a n d l u s c i o u s fruit.

13

T h e twelfth w o n d e r w a s that those with e v e r y infirmity w e r e cured. Those w h o were blind, lame, or deaf, lepers, and those with palsy, w e r e all m a d e w e l l o n t h a t n i g h t .

14

T h e t h i r t e e n t h w o n d e r w a s that t h e m a j e s t i c s t a r g a v e d i r e c t i o n s t o t h e m a g i w h o came w i t h g i f t s f o r C h r i s t o f g o l d , f r a n k i n c e n s e , a n d myrrh...

15

T h e fourteenth w o n d e r w a s that the boasts a n d brute animals w e r e a w a k e n e d f r o m their sleep and s l u m b e r , and w e r e praising the C r e a tor in the presence of the hosts, saying in unison with the a n g e l s o f h e a v e n ; "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sandus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth". W h e n t h e b r u t e u n t h i n k i n g a n i m a l s a d o r e d t h e S a v i o u r , it b e h o v e s h u m a n b e i n g s to g i v e h i m u n c e a s i n g p r a i s e f o r e v e r .

16

T h e fifteenth w o n d e r w a s that al! the wise m e n o f B e t h l e h e m , b o t h m a g i a n d h o l y s a g e s , w e r e p r a i s i n g C h r i s t in t h e i r s l e e p , a n d w e r e p r o p h e s y i n g concerning his w i s d o m and great miracles. A n d this c a u s e d g r e a t w o n d e r to a l l .

17

Thesixteenth w o n d e r : A s the historians relate, t h e r e a p p e a r e d a whale o n t h e s h o r e o f t h e C a s p i a n S e a o n t h a t n i g h t . Its n a m e w a s S e m ( e n ) a . I t s e n o r m o u s s i z e w a s i n d e s c r i b a b l e , f o r w i t h fifty m e n o n t o p o f i t s head, a n d each man distant f r o m another a s far a s e y e could see, such w a s t h e e x t e n t o f l a n d t a k e n u p b y that w h a l e . T h e r e w e r e t h r e e h u n d r e d a n d fifty h o r n s o n i t s h e a d , a n d e a c h h o r n c o u l d h o l d e n o u g h d r i n k f o r o n e h u n d r e d a n d fifty. M o r e o v e r , the r e m a i r i s [ o f t h e w h a l e j , a n d t h o s e h o r n s still r e m a i n in t h e h o u s e s of n o b l e s in t h o s e l a n d s y o n d e r . T h e written sources say that, w h e n that w h a l e w a s dying.

n.

THE

WONDERS O F T H E N I G H T O F T H E

NATIVITY

35

three streams g u s h e d forth f r o m his throat, a red stream of wine, a stream of oil, and a stream of red gold. 18

T r u l y , it w a s i n t h e t i m e o f O c t a v i u s C a e s a r that t h e p r o p h e c i e s c a m e to p a s s , a n d t h a t J e s u s C h r i s t w a s b o m . F o r w h e n t h e C a e s a r i a n t a x w a s b e i n g l e v i e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e w o r l d , at that t i m e J o s e p h a n d M a r y c a m e f r o m N a z a r e t h o f G a l i l e e to B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a , to t h e c i t y of David son o f Jesse, for Joseph a n d M a r y were of the line of David, a n d p a y m e n t o f t h e t a x w o u l d n o t b e a c c e p t e d f r o m t h e m in a n y o t h e r p l a c e e x c e p t in t h e i r o w n p a t e r n a l l a n d .

HA. ADDITIONAL RELATED TEXT O n the d a y after the birth of Christ, a four-cornered gold ingot a p p e a r e d i n t h e l a n d o f A r a b i a . F r o m m o r n i n g t o n i g h t it c o n t i n u e d to g r o w . T h e inhabitants o f the land a n d of the adjoining territory w e r e h a c k i n g a n d c u t t i n g at it t h r o u g h o u t that t i m e , b u t it r e m a i n e d e n t i r e l y w h o l e , h o w e v e r m u c h w a s h e w n f r o m it. N o w the four-comered ingot represents the Christian C h u r c h throughout the four quarters o f the world. T h e g r o w t h of the ingot in the s p a c e o f a single d a y signifies the spread of the C h u r c h in a single a g e o f t h e six a g e s o f t h e w o r l d . It a l s o r e s e m b l e s C h r i s t e t e r n a l l y , o n w h o m t h e r e will b e n e i t h e r i n c r e a s e n o r d e c r e a s e t h r o u g h o u t t h e a g e s .

12. THE MAGI 1

O n a c e r t a i n d a y , a s J o s e p h s t o o d a t the e n t r a n c e to t h e h o u s e , h e s a w a large g r o u p approach h i m directly from the east. T h e r e u p o n Joseph s a i d to S i m e o n : " S o n , w h o a r e t h e s e d r a w i n g n e a r u s ? T h e y s e e m to h a v e c o m e f r o m a f a r " . T h e n J o s e p h w e n t t o w a r d s t h e m , a n d s a i d to S i m e o n : " I t a p p e a r s to m e , sOn, that t h e y p r a c t i c e d r u i d i c a u g u r y a n d d i v i n a t i o n , for t h e y d o n o t t a k e a s i n g l e s t e p w i t h o u t l o o k i n g u p w a r d , and they are arguing and conversing about something amongst t h e m s e l v e s . I t h i n k that t h e y a r e f o r e i g n e r s , c o m e f r o m d i s t a n t l a n d s " , s a i d h e , " f o r t h e i r a p p e a r a n c e , c o l o u r a n d a t t i r e is u n l i k e that o f o u r o w n people. T h e y are wearing bright flowing robes, even-coloured c r i m s o n t u n i c s , l o n g red c l o a k s , a n d v a r i e g a t e d g a p p e d s h o e s . F r o m their apparel they s e e m like kings or leaders".

2

T h e r e w e r e t h r e e m e n in f r o n t o f t h e g r o u p . O n e o f t h e m w a s a h a n d s o m e nobleman, grey-bearded, with high temples. H e wascalled M e l c i s a r , a n d it w a s h e w h o g a v e t h e g o l d to C h r i s t . T h e r e w a s a n o t h e r b e a r d e d m a n with very long b r o w n hair. H i s n a m e w a s Balcisar, a n d it w a s h e w h o g a v e t h e f r a n k i n c e n s e to C h r i s t . Y e t a n o t h e r m a n h a d f a i r h a i r a n d w a s b e a r d l e s s . H i s n a m e w a s H i e s p a r , a n d it w a s h e w h o g a v e t h e m y r r h to C h r i s t . O t h e r n a m e s f o r t h e s e k i n g s w e r e M a l c u s , Patifaxat, a n d Casper. M a l c u s w a s the alternate n a m e for Melcisar, Patifaxal for Balcisar, C a s p e r for Hiespar.

3

Joseph said: "Well d o they travel, unwearied, though they c o m e f r o m a f a r " . T h e n they reached the place w h e r e Joseph was, along with his s o n , S i m e o n . T h e y w e n t p a s t J o s e p h i n t o the h o u s e . J o s e p h w e n t w i t h them and said: ' T e l l m e , for G o d ' s sake, who you are, a n d from whence have y o u come to the house without m y permission?" " O u r l o a d e r a n d l o r d p r o c e e d e d u s to t h i s s m a l l d w e l l i n g , a n d w e h a v e followed h i m " , they replied. " F r o m where have you yourselves c o m e ? " , asked Joseph. " F r o m the east", they said, " f r o m e a s t e m India, t h e l a n d s o f Arabia, the l a n d s o f the Chaldeans, and f r o m o t h e r various l a n d s in the e a s t e m w o r l d " . 36

12.

THE MAGI

37

4

" W h y h a v e y o u c o m e ? " , a s k e d J o s e p h . " T h e a n s w e r is n o t d i f f i c u l t " , they said. " A k i n g o f the J e w s , a k i n g o f the w h o l e world, h a s b e e n b o m in t h i s c o u n t r y , a n d w e h a v e c o m e to f i n d h i m , to d o h i m r e v e r e n c e , a n d to s e e h i m " . " F r o m w h e n c e d i d y o u r e c e i v e that k n o w l e d g e ? " , a s k e d J o s e p h . " T h a t is e a s y " , t h e y s a i d . " I t h a s b e e n in o u r a n c i e n t b o o k s a n d w r i t i n g s f r o m t h e t i m e o f o u r firet m a n d o w n to t h e p r e s e n t d a y that, w h e n e v e r w e s h o u l d see a star like this o n e o v e r our l a n d , w e s h o u l d g o with it w h a t e v e r w a y it t r a v e l l e d , b e c a u s e it w a s a s i g n o f t h e k i n g o f t h e world. F o r , a c c o r d i n g t o p r o p h e c y a n d foreknowledge, that k i n g i s d e s t i n e d t o s a v e u s , a n d t h e h u m a n race, s t r a i g h t a w a y , after his birth".

5

" W h y d i d y o u n o t g o to J e r u s a l e m to s e e k h i m ? " , a s k e d J o s e p h . " F o r t h a t i s t h e c h i e f c i t y o f t h e l a n d , w h e r e t h e t e m p l e o f t h e L o r d is to b e found. Moreover, the king o f the Jews, H e r o d , dwells there". " W e did travel t h e r e a l r e a d y " , t h e y s a i d . " W h e n w e r e a c h e d t h e d t y t h e m a j e s t i c s t a r w e n t a w a y f r o m u s , a n d w e d i d not s e e it at a l l . W e e n t e r e d t h e h o u s e in w h i c h w a s t h e k i n g , H e r o d , a n d w e told h i m that a k i n g o f t h e J e w s h a d b e e n b o m i n h i s l a n d , a n d that a r e g a l s t a r h a d p r o c e e d e d u s f r o m t h e e a s t e m w o r l d a s far a s t h i s p l a c e , a n d h a d g o n e f r o m u s t h e r e Jin J e r u s a l e m ] . T h e n w e i n q u i r e d o f t h e k i n g , a n d o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e , a s to w h e r e h e h a d b e e n b o m . T h e y s a i d that t h e y d i d not k n o w " .

6

" T h e n all h i s s o r c e r e r s , s a g e s , a n d m e n o f k n o w l e d g e a n d w i s d o m w e r e s u m m o n e d to H e r o d , a n d h e a s k e d t h e m w h e r e t h e b i r t h o f a k i n g o f t h e J e w s h a d b e e n p r e d i c t e d i n t h e i r p r o p h e c i e s . T h e y all s a i d : T n B e t h l e h e m of J u d a , a s the H o l y Spirit declared t h r o u g h the m o u t h o f t h e k i n g , D a v i d s o n o f J e s s e : "De diversario in spelonca nasci Christum in Bethelem"..."Then H e r o d w a s seized with great trembling a n d fear, and h e said: " W h e r e else would a son o f a king of the J e w s b e b o m but in m y h o u s e ? " . T h e n t h e s o o t h - s a y e r s s a i d : " I t is t h e s o n of t h e k i n g o f t h e w h o l e w o r l d w h o w a s to b e b o m t h e r e " . T h e n H e r o d ' s m i n d w a s occupied with m a n y a n d grievous deliberations and thoughts. T h e w i s e m e n o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e w e r e c a l l e d b a c k to h i m , a n d h e e n q u i r e d a g a i n a t t e n t i v e l y a s to w h e r e , i n p r o p h e c y o r a u g u r y , t h e b i r t h o f t h a t k i n g w a s l o c a t e d . T h e y a l l replied: "In Bethlehemof J u d a " .

7

T h e n H e r o d s a i d to t h e m a g i w h o h a d c o m e to a d o r e C h r i s t : " G o to

38

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

B e t h l e h e m of J u d a , a n d if y o u f i n d C h r i s t t h e r e c o m e b a c k l o m e , s o t h a t I m a y g o m y s e l f to a d o r e h i m . T a k e m y r o y a l d i a d e m l o C h r i s t " , s a i d h e . ( T h i s w a s a r o y a l d i a d e m m a d e o f A r a b i a n g o l d , full o f p r e c i o u s s t o n e s a n d o r n a m e n t e d g e m s . It w a s , m o r e o v e r , t h e d i a d e m w h i c h w a s on H e r o d ' s o w n head every day). ' T a k e with y o u also for h i m this royal r i n g s e t w i t h c o n s p i c u o u s j e w e l s , t h e e q u a l o r l i k e o f w h i c h h a s n e v e r b e e n f o u n d in t h e w o r l d . It w a s g i v e n t o m e b y t h e k i n g o f P e r s i a . L e t y o u g i v e it t o t h a t k i n g y o n d e r , a n d w h e n y o u c o m e b a c k , 1 will g o m y s e l f t o a d o r e h i m , a n d b r i n g o t h e r g i f t s for h i m e v e n b e t t e r t h a n these". 8

" W e b r o u g h t t h o s e g i f t s w i t h u s , t h e n " , s a i d t h e m a g i , " a n d w e left t h e city. I m m e d i a t e l y after,our o w n kingly star m a n i f e s l e d i t s e l f l o u s , a n d w e r e j o i c e d g r e a t l y a l t h a t . It p r o c e e d e d t h e r e a f t e r until it w a s o v e r t h i s h o u s e , a b o v e t h e r o o f . T h e n , b e f o r e o u r e y e s , it e n t e r e d t h e h o u s e , a n d y o u d o n o t a l l o w u s t o f o l l o w in its w a k e " . . .

9

T h e n t h e y a s k e d l e a v e o f J o s e p h to e n t e r t h e h o u s e . J o s e p h s a i d to t h e m : " I will n o t k e e p y o u f r o m w h a t G o d h i m s e l f h a s r e v e a l e d to y o u " . J o s e p h , i n d e e d , w o u l d h a v e b e e n p l e a s e d if t h e n e w s w e r e k n o w n ^ n e r a l l y a n d r e v e a l e d to a l l . " A b l e s s i n g o n y o u " , t h e y s a i d . " L e t u s g o n o w to s e e t h e S a v i o u r a n d G o d o f t h e p e o p l e " . T h e n t h e y e n t e r e d t h e h o u s e , g r e e t e d M a r y , a n d s a i d : "Ave tu benedicta gratia plena", " G o d b e w i t h y o u , y o u w h o a r e b l e s s e d a n d full o f g r a c e " . A f t e r t h a t t h e y w e n t to t h e m a n g e r , a n d b e h e l d C h r i s t t h e r e .

10

W h e n the magi had entered the house, Joseph said to Simeon: " G o a f t e r t h e m , s o n , a n d o b s e r v e t h e m k e e n l y , in o r d e r l o s e e a n d f i n d o u t w h a t t h e y d o to t h e c h i l d , f o r it is n o t m y p l a c e to w a t c h o r s c r u t i n i z e t h e m " . TTien S i m e o n w e n t l o k e e p a n e y e o n t h e m . T h e r e w e r e t h e m a g i , f a c e d o w n w a r d s , p r o s t r a t i n g i h c m s e l v r a a n d b o w i n g d o w n to t h e S o n o f G o d . S i m e o n w a s filled w i t h w o n d e r a t t h e i r b e h a v i o u r , a n d r e l a t e d it to J o s e p h . " C o n t i n u e to k e e p w a t c h o n w h a t t h e y a r e d o i n g " , said Joseph. T h e y rose u p then a n d opened their gifts, a n d g a v e t h e m to Christ. " W h a t h a v e they given h i m ? " , asked Joseph. " A n easy a n s w e r " , said S i m e o n , " g o l d , frankincense a n d m y r r h , a n d the prese n t s w h i c h H e r o d g a v e to t h e m " .

11

J a m e s o f t h e K n e e s , t h e k i n s m a n o f C h r i s t h i m s e l f , s a y s that t h e m a g i

12.TIIEMACI

39

g a v e n u m e r o u s other gifts to Christ, outstanding purple [gems], shirung brilliantly, a bright pearl, a c r o w n o f fresh grasses which w o u l d n e v e r w i t h e r , b u t w o u l d b o a r b r i g h t c r i m s o n f l o w e r s al w a y s , a w r e a t h , a l s o , in w h i c h w e r e e n t w i n e d v a r i o u s f r e s h g r a s s e s w i t h c r i m s o n f l o w e r s , w h i c h s e e m e d a s if t h e y h a d j u s t b e e n c u t , a n d a s h i n i n g n e w l i n e n c l o t h , t h e e q u a l o r l i k e of w h i c h w a s n o t to b e f o u n d . T h e l a t t e r s h o n e s o b r i g h t l y t h a t p e o p l e s a w f l a s h e s o f l i g h t n i n g rise f r o m it a s f r o m a b r i l l i a n t star, o r a s s p a r k s f r o m a m i g h t y fire w h e n its h e a t is a t its m o s t i n t e n s e . T h e y b r o u g h t , f u r t h e r m o r e , a r o y a l s c e p t r e w i t h g e m s o f c r y s t a l a n d of p r e c i o u s s t o n e s , t h e e q u i v a l e n t o r l i k e o f w h i c h h a v e n e v e r b e e n f o u n d in t h e w h o l e o f c r e a t i o n from t h e b e g i n n i n g to t h e e n d o f t h e w o r l d , e x c e p t , p e r h a p s , t h e f i r m a m e n t w i t h [its] m a n y s t a r s , a n d t h e s u n a n d m o o n in it l i k e p r e c i o u s s t o n e s . F i r e t r a i l i n g s p a r k s d a r t e d f r o m t h e m a s from a b r i l l i a n t c o n s t e l l a t i o n , t h e brightness of which would m a k e human eyes grow molten. And they g a v e o t h e r g i f t s , s u c h as w e r e n e v e r f o u n d i n t h e w o r l d . 12

T h e n S i m e o n said: " T h e y a r e g o o d m e n , a n d their gifts a r e reverent. M o r e o v e r , they kissed the feet of the infant a s they offered their presents lo him. T h e y are not like the shepherds w h o g a v e him no gifts. F o r t h o s e w h o g a v e h i m g i f t s , a n e r a o f g r e a t g o o d will b e g i n , f o r t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s will g r a n t g i f t s f o r e v e r " . T h a t , i n d e e d p r o v e d t r u e , f o r it m a r k e d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e G e n t i l e s ' b e l i e f in C h r i s t , a n d I h e g i f t s w e r e t h e first o f f e r i n g s o f t h e G e n t i l e s to G o d , t h e i r first-fruits.

13

T h e n J o s e p h s a i d to S i n w o n : " O b s e r v e c l o s e l y w h a t t h e y a r e d o i n g n o w " . " T h e y a r e d o i n g r e v e r e n c e to t h e b o y , a n d s p e a k i n g to h i m " , r e p l i e d S i m e o n . " I h e a r t h e i r v o i c e s , b u t 1 d o not k n o w w h a t t h e y a r e s a y i n g " . " T h e y a r e all h o n o u r i n g t h e c h i l d " , s a i d J o s e p h . T h e r e u p o n t h e m a g i c a m e o u t , a n d s a i d to J o s e p h : " O r i g h t e o u s a n d h o l y m a n , y o u h a v e g r e a t g o o d f o r t u n e , if y o u b u t k n o w it, f o r t h e s o n o f t h e K i n g o f h e a v e n a n d e a r t h is u n d e r y o u r f o s t e r a g e . F o r w e , i n d e e d , h a v e m o r e k n o w l e d g e of the o n e w h o is in y o u r care than y o u h a v e . T h e b o y w h o is w i t h y o u is t h e G o d o f g o d s , a n d L o r d o f l o r d s , t h e c r e a t o r o f t h e elements, the angels a n d the archangels".

14

" H e is t h e s f r e n g t h a n d p o w e r o f G o d H e i s G o d ' s right h a n d a n d h i s w i s d o m H e is t h e c o n t r o l l e r o f t h e e l e m e n t s a n d t h e o v e r s e e r

40

IRISH BiBLrcAL

APOCRYPHA

o f the world H e is t h e s o u r c e o f d e a t h , t r e m b l i n g , a n d e n t r e a t y for creation H e is j u d g e , p h y s i c i a n , a n d p r o t e c t o r o f c r e a t i o n It i s h e w h o will s u m m o n a n d d i s p e r s e t h e g o d s of the Gentiles i t is h e w h o will r a v a g e hell a n d w e a k e n t h e strength a n d p o w e r of the devil It i s h e w h o will d e s t r o y t h e s t r a i t s o f d e a t h It is h e w h o will d i s s i p a t e t h e d i a b o l i c a l p o w e r o f b a l e f u l h e l l , w i t h its h o r r i b l e e v i l s T o h i m all t h e t r i b e s a n d r a c e s o f t h e w h o l e w o r l d are subject H e is j u d ^ a n d p r o v i d e r f o r t h e a n g e l s , s o u r c e o f l i f e for the people of heaven, the protecting breast-plate o f everlasting life, without e n d or limitation, the crowning diadem of the heavenly c i t / ' . 15

T h e n Joseph said; " F r o m whence did you receive instruction regardi n g t h e b i r t h o f C h r i s t ? " " W e b e c a m e a w a r e o f it f r o m o u r o w n a n c i e n t w r i t i n g s a n d p r o p h e c i e s , w h i c h w e r e f o r e t e l l i n g C h r i s t to u s l o n g s i n c e " , s a i d t h e y . " A s y o u e n q u i r e a b o u t t h e m a n n e r in w h i c h w e g o t t o k n o w o f t h e b i r t h o f C h r i s t , w e will r e l a t e i t a l l to y o u f r o m b e g i n n i n g l o e n d , a s o u r f a t h e r s a n d f o r e f a t h e r s h a n d e d it d o w n to u s , f r o m t h e time o f the sons of Abralmm to the present d a y . N o w , while w e m a i n t a i n e d t h e p r o p h e c i e s a n d a u g u r y w h i c h h a d b e e n left t o u s , o n a c e r t a i n d a y , o n t h e c a l e n d s o f J a n u a r y , to b e p r e c i s e , a s w e w e r e r e a d i n g the prediction, w e s u d d e n l y s a w the sign which had b e e n r e c o u n t e d to u s , a g r e a t s t a r , t r a i l i n g f i r e , b e t w e e n u s a n d h e a v e n . W e w e r e p l e a s e d a t t h i s , a n d m o r e o v e r , n o b o d y e l s e s a w it b u t o u r s e l v e s alone".

16

" N o b o d y , unless p e r h a p s a n a n g e l of G o d , could describe that star, its a p p e a r a n c e o r its c o l o u r . F o r its b r i g h t n e s s w a s g r e a t e r t h a n t h e b r i g h t n e s s o f t h e s u n , a n d f r o m t h e d a y t h a t s t a r a p p e a r e d to u s , its l i g h t w a s g r e a t e r a n d m o r e s p l e n d i d t h a n t h e light o f all o t h e r s t a r s a n d c o n s t e l l a t i o n s , a n d s u c h w a s its b r i l l i a n c e t h a t it filled all h e a v e n a n d e a r t h . W e f o l l o w e d it i m m e d i a t e ' y , a s i t p r e c e d e d u s w i t h r a d i a n c e a n d i l l u m i n a t i o n . It w a s n o t w a v e r i n g o r f l u c t u a t i n g l i k e o t h e r s t a r s , b u t

12.

THE MAGI

41

r a t h e r it r e m a i n e d e v e n l y a n d s t e a d i l y b e f o r e u s w i t h o u t a n y m o v e m e n t hither or thither. T h e r e h a s not b e e n p e r f o r m e d , n o r will there b e p e r f o r m e d , a g r e a t e r m i r a c l e t h a n that t h e star s h o u l d t h u s c o m e f r o m t h e e a s t o f I n d i a to t h e l a n d o f J u d a , w i t h n o g u i d a n c e , i n d e e d , e x c e p t t h e p o w e r o f G o d . It t h e n t r a v e l l e d a j o u r n e y o f t w e l v e m o n t h s in t w e l v e d a y s , h i g h e r t h a n a b e l f r y b e f o r e u s . Us m a s s w a s e q u i v a l e n t to t h a t o f t h e m o o n , its l i g h t g r e a t e r t h a n that of t h e s u n " . 17

" W e f o l l o w e d it o n s w i f t h o r s e s " , t h e m a g i told J o s e p h . ' T h e n a m e s of t h e h o r s e s a r e D r o m a n n D a r i i , M a d i a n , Ef f a n , a n d t h o s e a r e t h e h o r s e s w h i c h c a n d o a m o n t h ' s j o u r n e y in a s i n g l e d a y , f o r it i s a t w e l v e - m o n t h j o u m e y f r o m I n d i a to t h e l a n d o f J u d a . N o w t h e s t a r c a m e in a d v a n c e o f u s a s far a s t h i s p l a c e , a n d s t o p p e d o v e r t h e r o o f o f t h e h o u s e in w h i c h i s t h e S a v i o u r , A n d t h e r e i s n o b o d y w h o , o n s e e i n g it, w o u l d n o t gi v e a l l - s u r p a s s i n g l o v e to G o d , o n a c c o u n t o f t h e s a n c t i ^ a n d m i r a c u lous nature of his covenant".

18

J o s e p h then a s k e d : " W h a t a r c y o u r o w n n a m e s ? " " T h a t is easily a n s w e r e d . M e l c i s a r i s m y n a m e " , s a i d t h e g r e y - b e a r d e d m a n . It i s h e w h o g a v e t h e g o l d to C h r i s t . " B a l c i s a r is m y n a m e " , s a i d t h e m a n w i t h t h e d a r k - b r o w n b e a r d . U is h e w h o g a v e t h e f r a n k i n c e n s e . " H i e s p a r is my n a m e " , s a i d t h e y o u n g b e a r d l e s s m a n . It is h e w h o g a v e t h e m y r r h . T h e n J o s e p h s a i d to t h e m : " N o w t h a t y o u h a v e r e c o g n i z e d t h e C r e a t o r in t h e f o r m o f a c h i l d , c o m e w i t h m e t o g e t f o o d a n d d r i n k , a n d r e m a i n tonight with m e . I will b u y valuable w i n e a n d well-flavoured w h e a t , a n d various kinds o f e d i b l c s for y o u , b e c a u s e y o u h a v e believed in the t m e G o d , and have given him noble and outstanding gifts".

19

" W e m u s t g o " , t h e y s a i d , " F o r w e h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n sa tisfied w i t h t h e h e a v e n l y b a n q u e t , w h i c h is m o r e s p l e n d i d f o r us t h a n for you", " i t w o u l d b e g o o d to h a v e a n e a r t h l y f e a s t a s w e l l a s a d i v i n e o n e " , s a i d J o s e p h . " W e will n o t s t a y h e r e t o n i g h t , n o r will w e g o to J e r u s a l e m , t h o u g h w e p r o m i s e d to g o t h e r e " , t h e y s a i d , " f o r [ t h u s | H e r o d w i l l b e t h e f u r t h e r a w a y f r o m u s . A n a n g e l c a m e to us last n i g h t to tell u s to r e t u r n h o m e b y a n o t h e r w a y , a n d t h a t is w h a t w e p r o p o s e to d o . A b l e s s i n g o n y o u " , t h e y s a i d [to J o s e p h ] , " f o r y o u a r e a m a n c h o s e n b y G o d a n d held in great h o n o u r b y h i m " . Thereafter they went h o m e b y a n o t h e r r o u t e , a s t h e a n g e l h a d told t h e m .

42

20

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s v e r s i o n s o f the t i d i n g s o f t h e m a g i in w r i t t e n s o u r c e s . J a m e s o f t h e K n e e s s a i d in h i s I n f a n c y G o s p e l : " S e v e n w a s t h e n u m b e r o f n u g i , a n d it w a s a f t e r n i n e d a y s that t h e y c a m e to B e t h l e h e m o f J u d a " . H o w e v e r , M a t t h e w s o n of A l p h a e u s in h i s g o s p e l , a n d in Libra delnfanda Marie, that i s , i n t h e b o o k r e l a t i n g t h e b i r t h o f M a r y , s a y s t h a t t h e m a g i c a m e a f t e r t w e l v e days. M o r e o v e r , s a c r e d c o m m e n t a r i e s s a y t h a t t h e y w e r e t h r e e k i n g s , a n d that t h e y h a d s i x t y s h i p s , a n d t h a t H e r o d b u r n e d t h e i r s h i p s s o that t h e y s h o u l d g o to s p e a k to h i m a s t h e y w e r e r e t u r n i n g . It is r e l a t e d a l s o that t h e y b r o u g h t g r e a t g i f t s to M a r y a n d to J o s e p h , a l o n g w i t h t h o s e w h i c h t h e y g a v e t o C h r i s t .

13. ANECDOTE CONCERNING THE MAGI l e s p a r , M e l c i s a r , a n d B a l c i s a r w e r e the n a m e s o f t h e m a g i . T h i s is w h a t is s i g n i f i e d b y t h e g i f t s . G o l d w a s for t h e r o y a l s t a t u s o f C h r i s t , t h e frarfcincense on account o f his divinity, the m y r r h on account of his h u m a n i t y . It w a s t h e m a j e s t i c s t a r w h i c h g u i d e d t h o s e m a g i f r o m t h e l a n d o f A r a b i a a n d f r o m t h e e a s t e m w o r l d to t h e l a n d o f J u d a , a n d t o B e t h l e h e m , to t h e h o u s e w h e r e C h r i s t w a s , in t h e stall o f a n a s s a n d a y o u n g ox... W h e n t h e y r e a c h e d the e n t r a n c e o f t h e h o u s e w h e r e C h r i s t w a s , t h e elder, Melcisar,entered the h o u s e , a n d the other two remained outside t h e d o o r , s o t h a t t h e i r e l d e r c o u l d p r o s t r a t e h i m s e l f [in r e v e r e n c e ] , a n d o f f e r all t h e i r g i f t s . T h i s , i n d e e d , w a s a l w a y s t h e i r c u s t o m , t o b e s u b m i s s i v e to t h e i r s e n i o r s . T h e n H i e s p a r , t h e y o u n g e s t , s a i d : " O G o d a l m i g h t y , w o n d e r f u l l y f o r t u n a t e is h e w h o is s e n i o r to u s t o d a y , f o r it i s h e w h o will s e e t h e s a v i o u r firer. W h e n C h r i s t h e a r d t h a t , h e t r a n s f e r r e d t h e f o r m o f t h e e l d e s t to t h e y o u n g e s t , so that that it w a s t h e l a t t e r w h o first s a w C h r i s t , a n d w h o o f f e r e d h i s g i f t s to h i m b e f o r e e v e r y o n e e l s e . A n d t h i s w a s o n e o f t h e first m i r a c l e s o f C h r i s t .

43

14. INFANCY GOSPEL OF THOMAS 1

W h e n J e s u s , s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d , w a s a lad o f f i v e y e a r s , h e b l e s s e d t w e l v e Httle p o o l s o f w a t e r . H e h a d d a m m e d t h e m w i t h c l a y .

2

H e s h a p e d t w e l v e little b i r d s , c a l l e d passeres.

O n the Sabbath d a y h e

m a d e them firmly from clay. 3

A certain J e w complained about Jesus, son o f the great G o d . H e c o n v e y e d h i m b y t h e h a n d to h i s f o s t e r - f a t h e r , J o s e p h .

4

" R e b u k e y o u r son, Joseph. W h a t h e is d o i n g is not right. O n the Sabbath day he fashioned clay images of birds".

5

Jesus clapped his two h a n d s . His small voice resounded. Before their eyes he shooed away the birds - a kingly concession.

6

A g e n t l e e n d e a r i n g l i t t l e s p e e c h w a s heard from the m o u t h of faultless J e s u s ; " S o t h a t y o u m a y d i s c o v e r w h o it w a s w h o m a d e y o u , o f y o u r own accord, g o ! " .

7

S o m e o n e a n n o u n c e d to t h e p e o p l e - it w a s a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y r e p o r t that the cries o f the b i r d s w e r e heard a s they took flight.

8

T h e s o n o f A n n a s t h e s c r i b e c a m e to j o i n J e s u s at play- H e r e l e a s e d e a c h [dammed] stream. He knocked d o w n the constructions.

9

" W h a t y o u h a v e d o n e h a s n o t b e e n to o u r b e n e f i t " , s a i d J e s u s . " M a y y o u b e l i k e a little b r a n c h w h i c h f a l l s b e f o r e b e a r i n g f r u i t " .

10

T h e b o y fell o v e r l i k e a w i t h e r e d t w i g . It w o u l d h a v e b e e n b e t t e r f o r h i m n o t to h a v e r u i n e d t h e s p o r t o f t h e K i n g ' s s o n .

11

O n a f u r t h e r o c c a s i o n , w h e n J e s u s w a s in J o s e p h ' s c a r e , a n o t h e r b o y w h o visited h i m caused h i m annoyance. 44

14.

INFANCY GOSPEL O F THOMAS

45

12

" M a y the journey which you have m a d e b e o n e of no return", said Jesus. T h e boy f d l over a n d died straight a w a y .

13

H e outraged the kindred of the b o y to w h o m he had dealt d o o m . T h u s t h e y s a i d : " D e p a r t f r o m u s , J o s e p h , w i t h y o u r s o n . It i s t i m e to k e e p a w a y from us".

14

" i f y o u d o n o t p u n i s h y o u r s o n , g o a w a y a n y w h e r e . It c o u l d n o t b e t o o soon, whatever path you might take from here".

15

" W h y , s o n , haveyou offended thepeople?" asked Joseph. " A n y o n e o n w h o m , y o u p r o n o u n c e y o u r j u d g e m e n t is t a k e n a w a y f r o m y o u d e a d " .

16

" A n y o n e w h o is i n n o c e n t d o e s n o t d i e a s a result o f j u d g e m e n t . It i s only the accursed w h o m the malediction punishes".

17

" I t s h o u l d h a v e b e e n s u f f i d e n t t h a t I l i s t e n e d to t h e m , a n d t h a t t h e y m e t m e , without strong men tearing a w a y m y t w o eare f r o m m y head".

18

" Y o u r s o n w h o d o e s t h i s c a u s e s g r e a t t e r r o r . W e h a v e n e v e r , until n o w , heard of a n y b o y like h i m " .

19

" Q u i c k e r t h a n a g l a n c e , w h a t h e s a y s is d o n e f o r t h w i t h . W e h a v e n o t h e a r d tell o f a b o y l i k e h i m in t h e w o r l d " .

20

21

J o s e p h s a i d : ' T i e is n o t l i k e e v e r y o n e e l s e ' s s o n s . E v e n t h o u g h c r u c i f i x i o n o r d e a t h w e r e t h e [ e x p e c t e d ] o u t c o m e , it w o u l d n o t b e s o f o r h i m at a l l " . Everyone w h o accused him he punished. Deafness affected theirears, a n d blindness their eyes.

22

T h e s c h o l a r Z a c h a r i a s s a i d : " T h i s is a n a m a z i n g b o y . If h e w e r e t o b e taught, h e w o u l d , indeed, b e outstanding in learning".

23

Z a c h a r i a s t o o k h i m w i t h h i m to h i s s c h o o l , so that h e m i g h t b e g i n t o s t u d y with him, like everyone else.

46

24

25

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

W h e n h e h a d w r i t t e n a n a l p h a b e t f o r h i m , h e s a i d ; " S a y A ". T h o u g h the son of the King did not a n s w e r him, the a m o u n t he k n e w w a s greater. T h e master g r e w angry. H e struck him on the h e a d with whatever h e c h a n c e d o n , e i t h e r fist o r r o d .

26

27

" I t is u s u a l " , s a i d J e s u s , " t h a t a n y a n v i l w h i c h i s s t r u c k t e a c h e s w h o e v e r s t r i k e s it t h a t it is n o t t h e a n v i l w h i c h is r e c e i v i n g i n s t r u c tion". " F o r w h a t y o u h a v e t a u g h t to a l l , w h a t y o u h a v e wrritten f o r m e , t h e letters w h i c h y o u spell out, I k n o w their n a m e s " .

28

J e s u s r e c i t e d h i s letters f o r t h e m b e f o r e t h e i r e y e s , e a c h letter w i t h i t s c o n s t i t u e n t e l e m e n t a n d ite h i d d e n m e a n i n g .

29

T h e s c h o l a r Z a c h a r i a s s a i d ; ' T a k e t h e b o y a w a y f r o m m e . i d o not h a v e the m e a n s of answering y o u , lad. D o not provoke m e " .

30

" I t h o u g h t t h a t it w a s a p u p i l w h o m I b r o u g h t w i t h m e t o m y s c h o o l . I s a w t h a t it is a m a s t e r w h o s e c h a r g e I h a d u n d e r t a k e n " .

31

" I d o n o t k n o w , i n a n y c a s e , w h e t h e r h e b e a n g e l o r G o d . It s e e m s l o m e that until today I proceeded without c o n f u s i o n " .

32

" W h o is t h e m o t h e r w h o c o n c e i v e d t h i s i n f a n t i n h e r w o m b ? W h a t n u r s e w a s a b l e to r e a r t h i s c h i l d ? "

33

" H i s p a t r i m o n y w i l l n o t b e o n e a r t h . W h a t is s u r e r is t h a t h e i s t h e o n e b o m to b e c m c i f i e d , w h o e x i s t e d e v e n b e f o r e t h e D e l u g e " .

34

T h e b o y J e s u s r e p l i e d : " Y o u w h o a r e l e a r n e d in t h e l a w o f G o d , y o u t h i n k t h a t J o s e p h i s m y f a t h e r . H o is n o t " .

35

T existed before your birth. I a m the o n e w h o has w i s d o m . I k n o w every secret that h a s ever b e e n in y o u r heart".

36

" Y o u h a v e s u r e k n o w l e d g e o f all e r u d i t i o n . Y o u h a v e r e a d e v e r y t h i n g .

14.

INFANCY GOSPFI, O F T H O M A S

47

F r o m m e y o u a r e g e t t i n g d o c t r i n e w h i c h is n o t k n o w n to a n y p e r s o n " . 37

" I h a v e e x t r a o r d i n a r y n e w s for y o u , a b s o l u t e l y w i t h o u t f a l s e h o o d . I h a v e seen A b r a h a m when he was alive".

38

"Likevrise, I have seen you a long time ago, through the k n o w l e d g e of t h e H o l y S p i r i t . O e x p e r t in the L a w , I e x i s t e d a t all t i m e s b e f o r e y o u were born".

39

" T h i s c r o s s w h i c h y o u m e n t i o n , h e w h o h a s c o m e for t h e s a k e o f a l l , to r e d e e m e v e r y o n e a l i v e , will e n c o u n t e r i t " .

40

Once, the sinless son of Mary played a g a m e with boys. His a g e , as I k n o w , was seven years.

41

O n e o f t h e b o y s fell o v e r a cliff a n d d i e d f o r t h w i t h . T h e y all f l e d e x c e p t J e s u s . H e w a i t e d f o r a c r o w d to c o m e .

42

H e w a s a c c u s e d . It w a s t h o u g h t t h a t it w a s h e w h o h a d k n o c k e d t h e b o y d o w n . " W a i t for m e " , s a i d J e s u s , " u n t i l I r e a c h h i m " .

43

" I a m a c c u s e d , O Z e n o , o f la3nng y o u l o w . Is it t r u e ? " " I t is n o t t r u e . L o r d , n o t t r u e . Let h i m g o . It is not to b e a t t r i b u t e d to h i m " .

44

H e w a s dead before, he w a s d e a d after, except for w h e n h e h a d said t h i s . W h e n t h e c r o w d s s a w it, t h e y let g o o f J e s u s .

45

H i s m o t h e r sent h i m for w a t e r . S u c h an a m a z i n g b o y - h e filled an a r m f u l o f w a t e r , a n d it d i d n o t g o t h r o u g h h i s c l o a k .

46

H e s o w e d a little field w i t h l e e k s - t h e a m o u n t w a s n o t l a r g e . W h e n they were harvested subsequently, there w e r e a h u n d r e d b a s k e t f u l s o f produce.

47

A p i e c e o f c r a f t w o r k w a s b r o u g h t to t h e h o u s e to J o s e p h to b e a d j u s t e d , f o r it p r o j e c t e d t o o f a r o n o n e s i d e , w i t h o n e s i d e e x c e e d i n g t h e o t h e r .

48

J e s u s s a i d : " Y o u t a k e h o l d o f y o u r e n d , a n d I will t a k e m i n e . H e s t r e t c h e d t h e s h o r t e r s i d e until it w a s e q u i v a l e n t to t h e o t h e r .

15. THE ABGAR LEGEND 1

H e r e is t h e l i s t i n g o f C h r i s t ' s c o m p a n y , t h e t w e l v e a p o s t l e s , a s a l r e a d y mentioned. S o m e of t h e m were namesakes. There were three called J a m e s a m o n g them, J a m e s o f theKnees, son of Joseph, J a m e s the Great, s o n o f Z e b e d e e , a n d J a m e s Minor, s o n o f A l p h e u s . T h e r e w e r e t h r e e S i m o n s , S i m o n Peter, S i m o n C a n n a n e u s , a n d S i m o n J u d a s Iscariot. T h e r e w e r e three called J u d a s , J u d a s T h a d d a e u s , Judas T h o m a s , a n d J u d a s Iscariot. T h e r e w e r e t w o called T h a d d a e u s , T h a d d a e u s the apostle, a n d T h a d d a e u s the disciple.

2

N o w it is t h i s T h a d d a e u s t h e d i s c i p l e w h o m t h e a p o s t l e T h o m a s s e n t to A b g a r , k i n g o f t h e l a n d o f A r m e n i a a n d t h e d i s t r i c t n o r t h o f t h e river E u p h r a t e s . A b g a r ' s l e g h a d b e c o m e i n f l a m e d , a n d , ha v i n g h e a r d o f t h e w o n d e r s a n d i n n u m e r a b l e m i r a c l e s o f C h r i s t , h e s e n t a l e t t e r to C h r i s t .

3

T h i s w a s its c o n t e n t : Euagarius filius Came lesu saluatori qui aparuit in locis lerusolimorum, salutem. N o w A b g a r heard that h e healed those suffering from every disease without plant o r herb, simply with a w o r d o n l y , a n d f u r t h e r , that h e r a i s e d t h e d e a d , b a n i s h e d d e m o n s , a n d p e r f o r m e d o t h e r g o o d d e e d s b e s i d e s . A n d A b g a r s a y s to C h r i s t : " Y o u are either o f these; you are the G o d o f heaven, earth, and hell, o r else y o u a r e t h e s o n o f that G o d . F o r t h i s r e a s o n 1 s e n d y o u a l e t t e r , t h a t y o u m a y m a k e m e well. N o w I k n o w that there is m u c h m u r m u r i n g a n d p l o t t i n g a g a i n s t y o u a m o n g t h e J e w s . I h a v e a n a g r e e a b l e little c i t y h e r e , s u b s t a n t i a l e n o u g h f o r t h e t w o o f u s . S o c o m e to u s " , s a i d A b g a r to C h r i s t .

4

T h e n J e s u s w r o t e t h e c e l e b r a t e d l e t t e r to A b g a r : Beatus es Euagare et cetera: " B l e s s e d a r e y o u , A b g a r , to b e l i e v e in m e w i t h o u t h a v i n g s e e n m e , for m a n y see m e a n d do not believe in m e " , said Christ. " A s y o u h a v e s e n t a l e t t e r a s k i n g m e t o h e a l y o u , first I m u s t fulfil all t h a t 1 h a v e c o m e o n e a r t h to d o . T h e n , w h e n I will g o to h e a v e n , y o u will b e h e a l e d " . T h e r e a f t e r , A n a n i a s w a s s e n t b y J e s u s to A b g a r to s a y to h i m : " A f t e r t h e c r u c i f i x i o n a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n o f C h r i s t , a d i s c i p l e o f m i n e will 48

15.

THE

ABC:AR

LEGEND

c o m e to y o u , A b g a r . it is h e w h o will m a k e y o u w e l l " . N o w a f t e r t h e c r u c i f i x i o n a n d a s c e n s i o n of C h r i s t , the a p o s t l e T h o m a s s e n t T h a d d a e u s t h e d i s c i p l e to A b g a r to fulfil C h r i s t ' s p r o m i s e , a n d l o h e a l Abgar. At that t i m e T h a d d a e u s w e n t to the h o u s e o f T o b i a s to e n j o i n faith a n d piety on h i m , a n d lo c u r e every sickness. A b g a r w a s u n d e r the i m p r e s s i o n that h e w a s the m a n p r o m i s e d b y C h r i s t to c o m e to h i m s e l f to h e a l h i m , so T o b i a s w a s t h e n s u m m o n e d to A b g a r , w h o s a i d : " I s it n o t t r u e t h a t t h e i m p o r t a n t rrian o f C h r i s t ' s h o u s e h o l d i s w i t h y o u ? " " I t is t r u e , i n d e e d " , s a i d T o b i a s , " T e l l h i m to c o m e t o m e " , s a i d A b g a r . " I w i l l " , s a i d T o b i a s . W h e n T o b i a s c a m e h o m e , h e s a i d to T h a d d a e u s : " A b g a r a s k s y o u t o g o to heal h i m " . "I will g o " , s a i d T T i a d d a e u s , " a s it i s f o r t h a t r e a s o n t h a t I c a m e h e r e , to g o to h i m " . T o b i a s set o u t e a r l y o n t h e f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g , a l o n g w i t h T h a d d a e u s , to g o t o A b g a r . A s T h a d d a e u s e n t e r e d A b g a r ' s h o u s e , A b g a r s a w a shining light and a n inescapable radiance e m a n a t e from the face of T l i a d d a e u s , s o t h a t all the w a l l s o f t h e h o u s e w o r e lit u p b y it. W h e n A b g a r s a w h i m , h e immediately b o w e d his head before h i m . All w e r e a s t o n i s h e d a t t h e h o m a g e s h o w n b y A b g a r to T h a d d a e u s . " T r u l y y o u a r e C h r i s t ' s o w n d i s d p l e " , s a i d A b g a r . T h a d d a e u s s a i d : "It is I w h o w a s p r o m i s e d to y o u . If y o u w i s h f o r t r u e f a i t h , a n d p e r s e v e r e in it, I will m a k e y o u w e l l " . A b g a r s a i d : "1 h a v e b e l i e v e d , a n d 1 d o b e l i e v e . A n d if I h a d b e e n b e s i d e C h r i s t with m y h o s t s w h e n t h e J e w s c r u c i f i e d h i m , 1 w o u l d h a v e killed and slaughtered them, unless t h e m i g h t of the R o m a n s h a d b e e n a l o n g s i d e t h e m " . " I t w a s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h h i s o w n w i l l , a n d t h e will o f t h e h e a v e n l y F a t h e r t h a t h e w a s c r u c i f i e d " , s a i d T h a d d a e u s . "1 b e l i e v e t h a t t h e y a r e b o t h G o d , u n i q u e a n d a l m i g h t y " , said A b g a r . T h e n T h a d d a e u s laid his h a n d o n A b g a r , a n d healed him instantly. A b g a r m a r v e l l e d g r e a t l y t h a t , w i t h o n l y a w o r d , T h a d d a e u s heals^d t h e d i s e a s e in h i s l e g , d e s p i t e t h e e x t e n t o f its v i r u l e n c e a n d m a l i g nancy. And h e healed m a n y others besides.

16. LETTER OF JESUS ON SUNDAY OBSERVANCE H e r e b e g i n s t h e E p i s t l e of t h e S a v i o u r , o u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t , c o n c e r n i n g S u n d a y . H i s o w n h a n d w r o t e it in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f h e a v e n , a n d it w a s p l a c e d o n t h e a l t a r o f t h e a p o s t l e P e t e r in R o m e o f L a t i u m in o r d e r to h a v e S u n d a y k e p t h o l y f o r all t i m e . W h e n t h i s e p i s t l e w a s b r o u g h t f r o m h e a v e n t h e w h o l e e a r t h b e g a n to t r e m b l e f r o m e a s t to w e s t , a n d t h e l a n d h e a v e d u p its s t o n e s a n d t r e e s i n f e a r o f t h e C r e a t o r , a n d in j o y a t t h e v i s i t a t i o n o f t h e a n g e l s w h o c a m e w i t h t h e E p i s t l e . S u c h w a s t h e r u m b l i n g that t h e R o m a n g r a v e o f t h e b o d y o f t h e a p o s t l e P e t e r opiened a t t h a t t i m e . W h i l e t h e a b b o t o f R o m e w a s offering M a s s , h e saw the Epistle on the altar. It w a s f o u n d to c o n t a i n t h i s : ' T e o p l e s h o u l d b e p r o h i b i t e d f r o m t r a n s g r e s s i n g S u n d a y . F o r w h a t e v e r p l a g u e o r s u f f e r i n g a p p e a r e d in t h e w o r l d , it c a m e b e c a u s e o f n o n - o b s e r v a n c e o f S u n d a y . In s o m e e a s t e m r e g i o n s t h e r e a r e b e a s t s s e n t to m e n a s p u n i s h m e n t f o r n e g l e c t o f S u n d a y . T h e s e a r e c a l l e d brucha, w i t h i r o n s p i k e s i n p l a c e o f h a i r , a n d fiery e y e s . T h e y enter the vineyards, cut the tendrils o f the vine, a n d m a k e t h e m fall o n t h e g r o u n d . T h e n t h e y roll a b o u t o n t h e f m i t , so that the gra p e s b e c o m e i m p a l e d o n their spikes, a n d they b e a r t h e m a w a y thus to their lairs". ' T h e r e a r e also other creatures such as locusts there. T h e s e have iron w i n g s , w h i c h fasten a r o u n d e v e r y t h i n g t h e y e n c o u n t e r . T h e y g o i n a m i d s t t h e w h e a t , a n d f a s t e n o n the e a r s o f c o m until t h e y fall to t h e g r o u n d . T h i s , i n d e e d , is to p u n i s h p e o p l e for v i o l a t i o n o f t h e S u n d a j ' " . It is c o m m a n d e d b y t h e h e a v e n l y F a t h e r in t h e E p i s t l e to s h o w m e r c y to t h e p o o r a n d i n f i r m , a n d to p i l g r i m s . T h e t e a r s w h i c h t h e s e s h e d w h e n f a c e d w i t h i n c l e m e n c y a r e v i s i b l e o n t h e C r e a t o r h i m s e l f . It i s h e w h o a v e n g e s t h e w r o n g d o n e to t h e m . T h i s is t h e o r d e r f r o m h e a v e n , that S u n d a y b e o b s e r v e d f r o m e v e n t i d e ( v e s p e r s ) o n S a t u r d a y to t h e e n d o f M o n d a y m o r n i n g ( t i e r c e o n 50

16.

LETTER O F JF5US O N SUN D A Y OBSERVANCE

51

M o n d a y ) . Christ, son of the living G o d , w h o endured crucifixion a n d m a r t y r d o m o n b e h a l f o f t h e h u m a n r a c e , r o s e f r o m the d e a d o n Sunday. Even on that account alone, Sunday should be exalted. O n t h a t d a y , m o r e o v e r , h e will c o m e o n D o o m s d a y , to j u d g e the l i v i n g a n d t h e d e a d . It i s a d v i s a b l e f o r all to b e in r e a d i n e s s for it. It is t h e r e that all w i l l b e j u d g e d j u s t l y , in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e m a g n i t u d e o r s m a l l ness o f their offence. " H e w h o d o e s not k e e p S u n d a y for ils p r o p e r p u r p o s e s , h i s s o u l will n o t a t t a i n h e a v e n " , s a y s t h e h e a v e n l y F a t h e r . " N e i t h e r will h e l o o k o n m e , n o r o n t h e a r c h a n g e l s a n d a p o s t l e s , i n t h e k i n g d o m of heaven". " A n y h o r s e w h i c h is r i d d e n o n S u n d a y b e c o m e s a h o r s e o f f i r e u n d e r t h e t h i g h s o f h i s rider i n h e l l . A n y o x , o r s e r v a n t , m a l e o r f e m a l e , w h o is k e p t in w r o n g f u l s u b j e c t i o n o n S u n d a y , s h e d s t e a r s o f b l o o d f r o m t h e e y e s t o G o d , t i e c a u s e G o d g a v e t h e m that d a y a s a d a y o f f r e e d o m . F o r not even those in hell a r e tortured on that d a y " . " U n l e s s y o u o b s e r v e S u n d a y w i t h i n its p r o p e r l i m i t s " , says t h e L o r d , " t h e r e will c o m e o n y o u g r e a t s t o r m s , m a n y fiery l i g h t n i n g f l a s h e s , t h u n d e r a n d l i g h t n i n g w h i c h will b u m f a m i l i e s a n d p e o p l e s , h e a v y , s t o n y h a i l - s h o w e r s , a n d f l y i n g s e r p e n t s . H e a t h e n s w i l l c o m e to y o u through m y a g e n c y " , said G o d himself. " A race of p a g a n s will b r i n g y o u f r o m y o u r o w n l a n d s i n t o c a p t i v i t y , a n d will s a c r i f i c e y o u to t h e i r o w n g o d s . T h e r e are, m o r e o v e r , five h u g e , horrible beasts in the d e p t h s o f hell s e e k i n g a w a y to c o m e o n e a r t h to p e o p l e to p u n i s h thoir neglect o f Sunday, unless the m e r c y o f G o d holds them b a c k " . " T h i s i s t h e r e w a r d for t h o s e w h o k e e p S u n d a y h o l y : T h e w i n d o w s o f h e a v e n w i l l b e o p e n e d f o r t h e m , a n d G o d will g r a n t a b l e s s i n g o n themselves, on their dwellings, a n d on their lands, so that n o p o v e r t y o r h u n g e r will a f f e c t a h o u s e in w h i c h S u n d a y is o b s e r v e d . A n y p r a y e r a s k e d o f G o d a t t h e b u r i a l - p l a c e s o f s a i n t s will b e g r a n t e d to t h o s e w h o m a i n t a i n S u n d a y o b s e r v a n c e . T h e y will i n h e r i t t h e e a r t h h e r e , a n d t h e y will h a v e h e a v e n in t h e n e x t life, a n d t h e Lond will m a k e w e l c o m e their souls". " I f y o u d o n o t k e e p S u n d a y h o l y " , s a y s t h e L o r d , "1 s w e a r b y m y p o w e r , a n d b y the only-l?egotton S o n , Christ s o n of G o d , a n d b y m y h o l y a n g e l s , t h a t f i r e will rain d o w n o n y o u o n t h e f e a s t o f J o h n , k i l l i n g

52

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

e v e r y o n e , m e n a n d b o y s , w o m e n a n d g i r l s , a n d y o u r s o u l s will b e in e v e r l a s t i n g hell t h e r e a f t e r " . 10

" T h i s is w h a t i f o r b i d " , G o d s a y s ; " O n S u n d a y , let t h e r e b e n e i t h e r dispute, controversy, b w - c a s e nor contention, no trading nor horsedriving. T h e r e shall b e no s w e e p i n g the floor of a h o u s e , n o s h a v i n g , w a s h i n g o r b a t h i n g , n o g r i n d i n g in mill o r q u e r n , n o c o o k i n g , c h u r n ing or spinning, n o conjugal intercourse, n o travelling b e y o n d b o u n d a r i e s , n o swift running, casting shots, or riding on horse or ass, n o r a n y t h i n g w h i c h is c r i r m n a l A n y o n e w h o d o e s s u c h a t h i n g o n S u n d a y , u n l e s s h e g r e a t l y r o p e n t s o f it, h i s s o u l will n o t a t t a i n h e a v e n " .

11

"I s w e a r b y the p o w e r of G o d the Father, a n d b y the cross o f Christ", s a i d t h e a b b o t o f R o m e , " t h a t t h i s is n o t a p r o d u c t o f m y i m a g i n a t i o n , n o r it is a fiction o r f a b r i c a t i o n , r a t h e r , it is f r o m G o d t h e F a t h e r that t h i s l e t t e r w a s b r o u g h t to t h e a l t a r o f P e t e r i n R o m e o f L a t i u m , to r e n d e r S u n d a y h o l y . E v e n if t h e r e h a d not c o m e f r o m J e s u s C h r i s t h i m s e l f t h i s w o n d r o u s precept for the observance of S u n d a y , the d a y should b e s a c r e d , r e v e r e d , s a n c t i f i e d , a n d h o n o u r e d , s i n c e it w a s t h e d a y o n w h i c h all t h e s e m i r a c l e s h a p p e n e d " .

12 a

" F o r it w a s o n a S u n d a y t h a t t h e firet l i g h t o f d a y e v e r in t h e w o r l d w a s seen.

b

O n a S u n d a y G o d first c r e a t e d h e a v e n a n d e a r t h , a n d , o n t h e first S u n d a y , the formless primordial matter, and angelic light.

c

O n a S u n d a y G o d a l l o w e d N o a h ' s a r k to c o m e to rest o n t h e m o u n t a i n o f A r m e n i a a f t e r its e s c a p e f r o m t h e t o r r e n t of t h e d e l u g e .

d

O n a S u n d a y a r a i n b o w a p p e a r e d a s a sign of the saving o f A d a m ' s s e e d a f t e r t h e d e l u g e , for G o d h a d p r o m i s e d t h e m that w h e n t h e r a i n b o w w a s to b e s e e n h i s a n g e r w o u l d n o t d e s c e n d .

e

O n a S u n d a y the Israelites crossed the Red Sea dry-shod.

f

O n a S u n d a y G o d p r o v i d e d the h e a v e n l y f o o d for t h e I s r a e l i t e s , t h e p l e a s a n t m a n n a , w h e n t h e y w e r e forty y e a r s in t h e d e s e r t .

16.

L m T E R O F JESUS O N S U N D A Y OBSEKVANCF.

53

g

It w a s o n a S u n d a y t h a t t h e s o n o f G o d t h e Fa ther w a s c o n c e i v e d i n t h e w o m b o f t h e v i r g i n M a r y , not b y m a l e a g e n c y , b u t b y t h e g r a c e a n d i n s p i r a t i o n of tlie H o l y Spirit.

h

O n a S u n d a y he w a s b o m o f the Virgin, w h o s e virginity

w a s not

diminished either b y the birth or thereafter. i

O n a S u n d a y , t h e c h i l d w a s venerated by three magi w h o c a m e to h i m w i t h t h e i r triad o f g i f t s , g o l d , f r a n k i n c e n s e , a n d m y r r h .

j

O n a S u n d a y t h e S o n [ o f G o d ] w a s b a p t i z e d b y J o h n t h e B a p t i s t in t h e river Jordan.

k

O n a S u n d a y C h r i s t b l e s s e d t h e five l o a v e s a n d t w o s a l m o n , s o t h a t f i v e t h o u s a n d w o r e f e d f r o m t h e m , a n d t h e y h a d t w e l v e b a s k e t s o f leftovers.

m

n

O n a Sunday, the transfiguration of the divinity and h u m a n i t y o f the S o n o f G o d o n M o u n t T a b o r , to w h i c h t h e s e f i v e w e r e w i t n e s s e s : P e t e r , J o h n , a n d J a m e s , f r o m the p e o p l e of this earth, M o s e s , from the d e a d , and Elias, from the sanctified. O n a S u n d a y , h e (Christ) rode on the ass, w h e n p a l m s were strewn before him.

o

O n a S u n d a y Christ o v e r c a m e the d e m o n , o n the fifteenth of February.

p

O n a S u n d a y w a s t h e first p r c a c h i n g o f C h r i s t h i m s e l f in t h e t e m p l e , o n the K a l e n d s of M a y .

q

O n a S u n d a y C h r i s t m a d e w i n e f r o m w a t e r in C a n a a n o f G a l i l e e , a t t h e wedding of John, the beloved disciple.

r

O n a S u n d a y the extraordinary vision a n d heavenly revelation w a s s e e n b y J o h n s o n o f Z e b e d e e , that i s , t h e m y s t i c a l A p o c a l y p s e .

s

T h e resurrection o f the Lord w a s on a S u n d a y .

t

O n a S u n d a y , C h r i s t h i m s e l f c a m e f o r t h f r o m the e n c l o s e d c a p t i v i t y i n

54

IRISH B I B L I C A L

ApocRypHA

which h e w a s placed by the J e w s , without o p e n i n g a lock or chain. u

O n a S u n d a y h e b e s t o w e d o n h i s d i s c i p l e s [ m a s t e r y of] t h e m a n y languages on earth.

w

O n a S u n d a y t h e H o l y S p i r i t d e s c e n d e d o n t h e a p o s t l e s in t h e f o r m o f fire.

X

O n a S u n d a y w i l l b e t h e g e n e r a l r e s u r r e c t i o n , w h e n C h r i s t will c o m e to j u d g e t h e l i v i n g a n d t h e d e a d .

y

O n a S u n d a y all c r e a t e d t h i n g s will b e r e n e w e d i n a b e t t e r a n d m o r e b e a u t i f u l f o r m t h a n t h e y w e r e f a s h i o n e d in t h e i r first c r e a t i o n , w h e n t h e s t a r s o f h e a v e n w i l l b e like t h e m o o n , t h e m o o n l i k e t h e s u n , a n d t h e s u n l i k e t h e b r i g h t n e s s of s e v e n s u n s , a s w a s t h e first light o f t h e s u n , b e f o r e t h e sin o f A d a m .

z

O n a S u n d a y C h r i s t will s e p a r a t e t h e t w o g r o u p s , t h e i n n o c e n t l a m b s , the saints a n d the just, being separated from the host of arrogant sinners o f the world.

13

Therefore, b y these precepts G o d c o m m a n d e d that the sanctity o f S u n d a y b e maintained, b e c a u s e the hand o f G o d himself wrote that c o m m a n d m e n t for people, that they should not perform a n y b u s i n e s s o r servile w o r k on a S u n d a y " .

17. THE MYSTICAL TREE L e a r n e d t r a d i t i o n tells o f a w o n d e r f u l tree, w i t h its u p p e r p a r t a b o v e t h e f i r m a m e n t , i t s l o w e r p a r t i n t h e e a r t h , a n d e v e r y m e l o d y in its m i d s t . A n o t h e r o f its m a r v e l l o u s f e a t u r e s w a s that w a s t h a t it g r e w d o w n w a r d f r o m a b o v e , w h i l e e v e r y o t h e r t r e e g r o w s u p w a r d . It g r e w d o w n w a r d f r o m a s i n g l e r o o t , w i t h i n n u m e r a b l e r o o t s c o m i n g f r o m it below. There were nine branches, every branch m o r e beautiful than t h a t a b o v e . T h e r e w e r e p u r e w h i t e b i r d s o n t h e f o r k s o f the b r a n c h e s , l i s t e n i n g to t h e i r m a n y m e l o d i e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e a g e s . T h e t r e e i s j e s u s C h r i s t , t h e a c m e o f all G o d ' s c r e a t u r e s , a b o v e t h e m b y r e a s o n o f h i s d i v i n i t y , w h o c a m e forth o n e a r t h , a s s u m i n g h u m a n i t y f r o m t h e V i r g i n M a r y . A l l t h e m e l o d y in t h e t r e e ' s m i d s t r e p r e s e n t s t h e p e r f e c t i o n o f e v e r y b l i s s i n t h e m y s t i c d e p t h s o f t h e d i v i n i t y . It g r e w from a b o v e , that is, f r o m the H e a v e n l y Father. Its single root from a b o v e is t h e o n e G o d h e a d o f t h e d i v i n i t y . T h e m a n y r o o t s b e l o w a r e t h e twel v e apostles, t h e d i s c i p l e s , a n d thesaints. T h e n i n e b r a n c h e s a r e the n i n e h e a v e n l y o r d e r s , w i t h e a c h o r d e r m o r e n o b l e t h a n that b e f o r e it. T h e w h i t e birds a m o n g the b r a n c h e s are the shining souls of the just a m o n g the heavenly orders. T h o s e o f us w h o dwell together here implore the mercy o f G o d that w e m a y d well a m o n g t h e b r a n c h e s of t h a t t r e e , t h a t i s , a m o n g t h e h e a v enly orders.

55

18. THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 1

T h e r e w a s a w i c k e d a n d c r u e l k i n g in t h e e a s t e m w o r l d , H e r o d s o n o f A n t i p a t e r , w h o w a s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r the k i l l i n g o f J o h n t h e B a p t i s t . T h i s is t h e r e a s o n w h y t h e o u t s t a n d i n g a n d n o b l e y o u n g m a n w a s k i l l e d : T h e r e w a s a g o o d j u d g e in H e r o d ' s k i n g d o m , w h o m a d e j u s t d e c i s i o n s a n d a r r a n g e d e q u i t a b l e p e a c e t e r m s a m o n g all t h e v a r i o u s p e o p l e s , a n d p r o c l a i m e d t h e i r r i g h t s a n d t h e i r l a w s to t h e m . H i s n a m e w a s Philip, a m a n of great justice a n d g o o d fortune. Ardargas w a s the n a m e o f the city w h e r e h e dwelt. A n d disease c a m e u p o n h i m , a n d within a short time h e died. H e h a d a beautiful graceful wife w h o h a d few e q u a l s in t h e w h o l e w o r l d for c o m e l i n e s s a n d s h a p e l i n e s s , e l o q u e n c e , a n d a r t i s t i c s k i l l . E v e n w h i l e h e r o w n h u s b a n d , PhiHp t h e j u d g e , w a s alive, Herod loved her greatly, and he often thought of taking her a w a y b y f o r c e , b u t f o r t h e p o w e r of t h e m a n w i t h w h o m s h e l i v e d .

2

N o w w h e n t h e k i n g o f A s c o l o n , P h i l i p s o n o f A n t i p a t e r , t h e b r o t h e r of H e r o d , h e a r d that H e r o d i a s t h e w i f e o f P h i l i p w a s w i t h o u t a h u s b a n d , h e h u r r i e d w i t h a h o s t to t h e p l a c e w h e r e H e r o d i a s w a s , a n d t o o k h e r a w a y with him. S h e cohabited with h i m as his spouse for a long time. H e r o d ' s heart w a s seized with great jealousy a n d insupportable f e r o c i t y b e c a u s e the w o m a n h e l o v e d m o s t i n t h e w o r l d h a d b e e n t a k e n from h i m b y his o w n brother. A n d because of his intense love for h e r , h e d i d n o t a l l o w a n y c h a n g e in h i s f e e l i n g s , d e s p i t e t h e f a c t that s h e remained with his brother.

3

Thereafter the king gathered together a large troop, and c a m e to A s c o l o n a s if o n a r o y a l c i r c u i t . H e r e a c h e d h i s b r o t h e r ' s d w e l l i n g , a n d Philip rose to greet h i m , kissed him a n d m a d e h i m w e l c o m e . H e a s s i g n e d h i m a l o d g i n g - h o u s e that w a s f i t t i n g l y p r e p a r e d , a n d h e served H e r o d with plentiful food a n d drink. W h e n his meal e n d e d Herod rose u p furiously, having m a n y of his a r m e d and equipped soldiers with him, as he had previously arranged, and h e proceeded in t h a t f a s h i o n to t h e h o u s e in w h i c h H e r o d i a s a n d P h i l i p w e r e . H e r o d had no weapon except a big pliant rod. W h e n h e entered thus, h e 56

18.

T H E D E A T H O F J O H N T H E BAPTIST

57

f o u n d himself at a beautiful princely throne, with the lustre of g o l d on its j o i s t s . P h i l i p w a s u p o n it, w i t h H e r o d i a s b e s i d e h i m . H e r o d w a s e n r a g e d throughout his w h o l e being, a n d h e raised his h a n d , a n d struck Philip on the c r o w n of his h e a d with a reckless b l o w from his rod.Then he dragged him from the throne, interposed himself beside H e r o d i a s a n d k i ^ d h e r . H i s b r o t h e r ' s b e d w a s p r e p a r e d for h i m , a n d he b r o u g h t the w o m a n there, a n d slept w i t h her that night. N e x t d a y h e t o o k h e r w i t h h i m to h i s o w n c i t y , a n d t h e r e a f t e r s h e w a s h i s paramour. 4

W h e n John the Baptist, son of Zacharias, heard these t i d i n g , h e w a s d i s p l e a s e d that H e r o d s h o u l d h a v e t a k e n a c o n c u b i n e . T h e r e w a s , indeed, close kinship between John and Herod, because Cassandra daughter o f C o m e r w a s the mother of Herod a n d Philip, while Elizabeth, another daughter of G o m e r , w a s the m o t h e r o f John the B a p t i s t . J o h n u r g e d H e r o d to r e p u d i a t e t h e w o m a n , a n d c a m e o f t e n to H e r o d to s a y this. In fact, s h e w a s t h e first u n l a w f u l s p o u s e e v e r d e n o u n c e d in t h e w o r l d . F u r t h e r m o r e , J o h n h i m s e l f w a s t h e first m a r t y r i n C h r i s t e n d o m , a s w e l l a s t h e first h e r m i t , the first m o n k , a n d t h e first b e l i e v e r . H e w a s o u t s t a n d i n g a s a p r o p h e t a m o n g p r o p h e t s , a hermit a m o n g hermits, a confessor a m o n g confessors, a celibate a m o n g c e l i b a t e s , a n d a s a n a p o s t l e a m o n g a p o s t l e s . F o r h e it is w h o m t h e L o r d well d e s c r i b e d t h u s : " A m o n g all t h e w o m e n ' s s o n s i n t h e world none has been born w h o is greater than John the Baptist".

5

H e r o d t h e n c a m e to t h e l a n d o f J u d a , a n d a g r e a t f e a s t w a s p r e p a r e d b y him there. Herodias, Herod's woman, had two daughters. Sailusa a n d Neptis w e r e their n a m e s . O n e o f the girls w a s a singer, a fluteplayer, and a performer of various kinds of music. The other, moreo v e r , w a s a d e p t a t a c r o b a t i c s , lea p i n g , a n d g y m n a s t i c s . H e r o d b r o u g h t t h e m i n t o t h e h o u s e to u r g e t h e m to p e r f o r m t h e i r a r t s , a n d t o d e l i g h t the spirits o f the nobles a n d great lords of the w o r l d w h o w e r e g a t h e r e d w i t h i n . T h e g i r l s s a i d t h a t t h e y w o u l d not p e r f o r m u n l e s s t h e y r e c e i v e d w h a t e v e r t h e y d e s i r e d . T h e k i n g p r o m i s e d this to t h e m , a n d t h e y b o u n d h i m to h i s w o r d i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f all t h e a s s e m b l e d n o b l e s t h a t h e w o u l d fulfil w h a t e v e r d e m a n d s t h e y m a d e o n h i m .

6

T h e n , a f t e r that, t h e y d i s p l a y e d t h e i r w o n d e r f u l t a l e n t s w i t h skill a n d e n e r g y , a n d thedignitaries present praised their art highly. W h e n they

58

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

h a d f i n i s h e d t h e i r p e r f o r m a n c e t h e y c a m e to t h e i r m o t h e r , H e r o d ' s c o n c u b i n e , to c o n s u l t h e r r e g a r d i n g t h e d e m a n d w h i c h t h e y w o u l d m a k e o n t h e k i n g . " A s k f o r Uie h e a d o f J o h n t h e B a p t i s t , a n d d o n o t a c c e p t a n y o t h e r o f f e r b u t t h a t , a n d h a v e t h e h e a d b r o u g h t to y o u o n a p l a t t e r " , s a i d t h e q u e e n . T h e g i r l s c a m e to H e r o d a n d a s k e d h i m f o r J o h n ' s h e a d . H e r o d w a s d i s p l e a s e d a t t h i s , a n d s a i d that h e w o u l d s o o n e r g i v e t h e m t h e g r e a t e r p a r t of h i s k i n g d o m a n d t e r r i t o r y t h a n t o give t h e m the head which they were seeking. But they persisted, a n d s i n c e h e h a d g i v e n t h e m h i s w o r d a s k i n g t h a t h e w o u l d fulfil h i s u n d e r t a k i n g , h e c o n c e d e d to t h e m that J o h n ' s h e a d s h o u l d b e s t r u c k off. Thereafter John the Baptist w a s b e h e a d e d , a n d the head w a s b r o u g h t i n o n a p l a t t e r o n t h e h e a d o f o n e o f t h e w o m e n . It i s s a i d , m o r e o v e r , t h a t t h e r e w a s n o b o d y to b e f o u n d to b e h e a d J o h n u n t i l t h e I r i s h m a n M o g Ruith d i d so for the sake of the p a y m e n t involved. As a result o f t h i s , c o l d , h u n g e r , a n d d i s e a s e h a v e b e e n i n f l i c t e d in g r e a t e r m e a s u r e o n t h e Irish t h a n o n all o t h e r s . H e r o d w a s distressed at the d e e d b e c a u s e he feared the reaction o f the p e o p l e to t h e b e h e a d i n g o f J o h n . T h e h e a d w a s g i v e n to H e r o d i a s t h e r e a f t e r , a n d J o h n ' s d i s c i p l e s s o u g h t t h e b o d y for b u r i a l . T h i s w a s granted to t h e m , and it w a s buried with respect. Herodias, h o w e v e r , b u r i e d t h e h e a d w i t h o u t r e v e a l i n g t h e l o c a t i o n to J o h n ' s d i s c i p l e s o r friends. O n a certain occasion,a long time afterwards, t w o holy m o n k s f r o m t h e e a s t e r n w o r l d c a m e t o J e r u s a l e m to f a s t i n h o n o u r o f t h e L o r d . A n a n g e l m e t t h e m o n t h e w a y , a n d s a i d to t h e m : " T h e r e is a h o u s e i n J e r u s a l e m i n w h i c h i s t h e h e a d o f J o h n t h e B a p t i s t . I will s h o w y o u w h e r e it i s . Let y o u t a k e t h e h e a d a w a y f r o m t h e r e " . T h e m o n k s r e a c h e d J e r u s a l e m , w e n t to t h e p l a c e w h i c h t h e a n g e l p o i n t e d o u t to t h e m , a n d t o o k t h e h e a d w i t h t h e m . Its c o m p l e x i o n a n d a p p e a r a n c e w e r e still a s g o o d a s t h e y h a d b e e n w h e n t h e h e a d w a s a t t a c h e d to t h e b o d y . T h e y p l a c e d it in a s a t c h e l o f t h e i r s in o r d e r to b r i n g it w i t h t h e m to t h e i r o w n l a n d . A s t h e moT\ks set o u t o n t h e j o u m e y t o w a r d s t h e i r f a t h e r l a n d , t h e y encountered a certain m a n o n the w a y . H e w a s a skilled craftsman w h o h a d left h i s o w n h o m e l a n d b e c a u s e o f p o v e r t y . T h e m o n k s p u t t h e satchel containing J o h n ' s head on his back. T h e y proceeded then to a

18. T H E D E A T H O FJ O H N THF. BAPTIST

59

certain city which was o n their route, a n d spent t h e night there. John t h e B a p t i s t a p p e a r e d t o t h e c r a f t s m a n that n i g h t a n d s a i d t o h i m : " I a m J o h n t h e B a p t i s t , a n d it i s m y h e a d w h i c h i s in t h e s a t c h e l o n y o u r b a c k . R i s e u p , l e a v e t h e m o n k s , t a k e t h e h e a d w i t h y o u , a n d y o u wiU r e c e i v e food a n d clothing [through its p o w e r ] " , said he. T h e artisan a r o s e a n d left t h e m o n k s , t a k i n g w i t h h i m t h e s a t c h e l c o n t a i n i n g t h e h e a d . 10

H e c a m e to the d t y called l n s h e n a , a n d remained there for a time. H e w a s g r e a t l y h o n o u r e d a n d r e g a r d e d i n that c i t y , a n d p e o p l e t r u s t e d him. Thereafter the craftsman fashioned a golden shrine around the h e a d . T h i s c o u l d b e s h u t a n d o p e n e d , a n d it h a d a l o c k o n it. N o w t h e c r a f t s m a n d i e d s u b s e q u e n t l y , a n d h e left h i s d w e l l i n g t o h i s s i s t e r , a p i o u s w i d o w . W h e n s h e d i e d , s h e b e q u e a t h e d t h e s h r i n e to h e r h e i r . However, another m a n called Eodraissimus took the shrine which contained t h e head. M a n y wonders a n d m i r a d e s w e r e performed for him b y virtue o f his having the head, a n d diseases a n d pestilences a m o n g the people were cured. T h e marvels and miracles of John the Baptist were thereby spread abroad.

11

W h e n tidingsof the m a n [ w h o had the head] b e c a m e k n o w n , h o w e v e r , h e w a s b a n i s h e d f r o m t h e district. A h o l y m a n c a l l e d M a r c e l l u s t o o k h i s p l a c e i n t h e houK: w h o r e h e l i v e d . I n s i d e t h a t h o u s e w a s t h e h e a d o f J o h n t h e B a p t i s t , w h i c h h a d b e e n c o n c e a l e d in t h e g r o u n d . J o h n a p p e a r e d i n t h e n i g h t t o M a r c e l l u s , a n d t o l d h i m that t h e h e a d w a s b u r i e d u n d e r t h e h o u s e . H e p o i n t e d o u t w h e r e the h e a d w a s , a n d t o l d h i m t o u n e a r t h i t . W h e n M a r c e l l u s h e a r d t h i s , h e told t h e b i s h o p , L u b r a b a n u [ s ] , w h o r u l e d o v e r that p a r t i c u l a r c i t y , E m i s e n a . T h e b i s h o p c a m e , together with t h e people of the city, a n d they raised John's head out of its burial-place. T h e y sang psalms a n d h y m n s in h o n o u r o f J o h n , and e v e r y o n e r e n d e r e d p r a i s e t o h i m , s i n c e t h e y h a d s e e n all t h e m i r a c l e s w h i c h t h e h e a d h a d p e r f o r m e d d a i l y , t h e h e a d o f the chaste martyr, John t h e Baptist.

19. GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS {Prologue) In t h e n i n e t e e n t h y e a r o f t h e r e i g n o f T i b e r i u s C a e s a r , e m p e r o r o f t h e R o m a n s , a n d h i g h k i n g o f t h e w h o l e w o r l d , in t h e s a m e y e a r i n w h i c h the son of Herod w a s king o v e r the Jewish people a n d the children o f Israel, on the twentieth d a y of March of t h a t y e a r , an i n n u m e r a b l e host of J e w s c a m e to denounce and accuse Jesus Christ, son of the living G o d in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e m a n c a l l e d P i l a t e . T h e l a t t e r w a s a j u d g e a n d justiciary, the m a n w h o administered law, rule, a n d the maintenance o f right a m o n g the Jewish people on behalf o f the high king o f the R o m a n s , Til>erius C a e s a r . I 1

T h e s e w e r e t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e g r o u p w h o c a m e to m a k e t h e a f o r e m e n tioned denunciation: A n n a s and Caiaphas, two high priests o f the Jews, Nicodemus, Abime, Dathan, Gamaliel, Judas, Leui, Neptalim, A l e x a n d e r , S i r u s , a s w e l l a s t h e rest o f t h e J e w s - T h i s is w h a t t h a t g r o u p s a i d t o P i l a t e ; ' T h e r e is a c o n s p i c u o u s p e r s o n i n t h e l a n d w h o i s l e a d i n g t h e p e o p l e a s t r a y w i t h false t e a c h i n g . H e is a s o n o f J o s e p h , a craftsman, and Mary is his mother's n a m e . His own n a m e is Jesus. Furthermore, he disrespects and defiles our Sabbath, and banishes a n d breaks our ancestral l a w " . Pilate asked: " S h o w h o w h e breaks the l a w " . T h e y a n s w e r e d : " O n e o f t h e f u n d a m e n t a l s o f t h e l a w is n o t to w o r k o n t h e S a b b a t h , t h a t is o n a S a t u r d a y . Y e t it is o n t h a t d a y that Jesus Christ healed certain people w h o were blind, deaf, lame, o r hunchbacked, lepers, a n d those w h o were agitated b y d e m o n s , o r b y r e a s o n o f v a r i o u s o t h e r d i s e a s e s " . " I t w o u l d s e e m to m e " , s a i d P i l a t e , "that the m a n w h o did those d e e d s should be praised rather than conderrmed". " N o " , said they, "for h e is a diabolic person, w h o cures e v e r y o n e b y d e m o n i c a l p o w e r " . " I t is n o t a t all l i k e l ) ^ ' , s a i d P i l a t e , " t h a t it is t h r o u g h a n u n c l e a n s p i r i t that h e b a n i s h e s t h o s e d e m o n s f r o m t h e p l a c e s w h i c h t h e y a r e w o n t to f r e q u e n t . R a t h e r , it a p p e a r s 60

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m o r e p r o b a b l e t h a t it is t h r o u g h t h e e f f i c a c y o f G o d t h a t h e c o u l d o r d e r t h e derrrons to l e a v e t h e i r h a u n t s " . 2

" W e beseech you, O lord Pilate", they responded, "that through y o u r dignity a n d sovereignty y o u h a v e this m a n b r o u g h t b e f o r e y o u , s o that y o u m a y s p e a k to h i m " . T h e n P i l a t e s e n t C u r s o r , a m e s s e n g e r , t o a s k J e s u s to c o m e a n d s p e a k to h i m . T h e m e s s e n g e r w e n t to t h e p l a c e where Jesus was, and he did him homage, and b o w e d d o w n before him. He spread the garment which he was wearing on the ground b e f o r e J e s u s C h r i s t , s a y i n g to h i m : " O L o r d , g o t o t h e j u d g e m e n t c h a m b e r , for Pilate seeks y o u " . T h e J e w s saw the honour which the m e s s e n g e r s h o w e d to t h e S a v i o u r , a n d t h e y r o s e u p , s a y i n g : " O l o r d P i l a t e , w h y w a s it n o t b y m e a n s o f t h e s h o u t o f t h e h e r a l d o r s t e w a r d that y o u s u m m o n e d that corrupter into y o u r presence? W h y did y o u s e n t C u r s o r t o fetch h i m w i t h h o n o u r ? " T h e y t h e n t o l d h i m o f t h e h o m a g e w h i c h t h e m e s s e n g e r s h o w e d to J e s u s .

3

Pilate called the messenger, a n d enquired w h y h e h a d s h o w n revere n c e to J e s u s , a n d w h y h e h a d h o n o u r e d h i m . T h e m e s s e n g e r r e p l i e d : " O l o r d , o n a f o r m e r o c c a s i o n w h e n y o u s e n t m e to J e r u s a l e m , I s a w J e s u s C h r i s t riding o n a n a s s . T h e J e w i s h y o u t h s w e r e s p r e a d i n g t h e i r g a r m e n t s b e n e a t h h i s f e e t , a n d , w i t h p a l m b r a n c h e s in t h e i r h a n d s , t h e y b o w e d d o w n to r e v e r e n c e a n d h o n o u r J e s u s . T h e y c r i e d o u t to h i m : " S a v e u s , O L o r d , O s o n o f G o d w h o h a s c o m e to o u r a s s i s t a n c e " .

4

At that, the J e w s again cried out together against the m e s s e n g e r , saying: " H o w did you understand their H e b r e w language, since y o u yourself a r e a G r e e k ? " T h e messenger answered: "I had a companion w h o w a s H e b r e w , w h o r e v e a l e d to m e e v e r y t h i n g t h a t t h e y w e r e saying in their o w n t o n g u e " . Pilate said: ' T h e m e s s e n g e r h a s n o t t r a n s g r e s s e d a t all i n d o i n g r e v e r e n c e to J e s u s , s i n c e h e s a w a h o s t o f t h e J e w s t h e m s e l v e s a c t t h u s " . P i l a t e s a i d to t h e m e s s e n g e r : " G o a n d b r i n g t h a t s a m e m a n to s p e a k w i t h u s " . T h e m e s s e n g e r d i d a s h e w a s t o l d , a n d a s k e d J e s u s to g o to P i l a t e , a s r e s p e c t f u l l y a s h e h a d d o n e b e f o r e . T h e l a t t e r w a s in t h e c o u r t - r o o m , a n d b e f o r e h i m w e r e h i s soldiers, h o l d i n g standards aloft on staffs.

5

A n d when Jesus entered the palace, the staffs which bore the stand a r d s b o w e d d o w n f o r c i b l y in t h e s o l d i e r s ' h a n d s , t h r o u g h t h e m i r -

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acles of G o d , when Jesus c a m e into their presence. Yet the J e w s rebuked the soldiers w h o were holding the standard-poles. T h e s o l d i e r s , h o w e v e r , s a i d that t h e y h a d b o w e d d o w n t h e s t e n d a r d s involuntarily. P i l a t e s a i d : " I t is n o t a m a t t e r to b e a d j u d i c a t e d a t all w h e t h e r t h e b a n n e r s b o w e d d o w n a g a i n s t t h e i r w i s h e s , a n d a d o r e d J e s u s " . " It w a s not the standards that did obeisance, but those w h o w e r e holding t h e m " [said t h e J e w s ) . " L e t J e s u s g o o u t a g a i n , a n d let t w e l v e o u t s t a n d i n g l y s t r o n g s o l d i e r s h o l d t h e s t a n d a r d s to s e e if t h e y w i l l b o w a g a i n , a s before". T h e standard-bearers got up, a n d Jesus went out again, a n d w h e n h e entered the palace a second time, the standards b o w e d d o w n o v e r t h e i r h a n d s , a n d d i d h o m a g e to J e s u s .

II W h e n P i l a t e s a w that m i r a c l e , h e set a b o u t rising f r o m h i s c h a i r , a n d i n s t a l l i n g J e s u s t h e r e , f o r h e w a s filled w i t h g r e a t f e a r a n d t e r r o r . J u s t a t t h a t t i m e a m e s s e n g e r c a m e f r o m h i s w i f e to P i l a t e , t e l l i n g h i m : "Utecide j u s t l y t h e c a s e o f t h e h o l y m a n w h o is b e f o r e y o u , f o r I s u f f e r e d m u c h a n x i e t y a n d t o r m e n t last n i g h t o n h i s a c c o u n t " . T h e J e w s r e s p o n d e d b y s a y i n g to P i l a t e : " W e h a v e t o l d y o u , P i l a t e , that m a n is d e v i l i s h , a n d n o w h i s e v i l - d o i n g is m a n i f e s t , f o r h e s e n t a d e m o n a s a t e m p t e r to h a r m y o u r w i f e " . P i l a t e t h e n c a l l e d J e s u s to h i m , a n d s a i d : "Do y o u h e a r t h e g r i e v o u s a c c u s a t i o n s w h i c h this c r o w d m a k e a g a i n s t y o u ? W h y d o y o u n o t r e p l y to t h e m ? " J e s u s a n s w e r e d c a l m l y , a n d s a i d to t h e m : " I f t h e y d i d not h a v e the p o w e r of speech, they w o u l d not speak, but from the d a y t h a t G o d g r a n t e d t h e m t h e a b i l i t y to u s e t h e i r t o n g u e s , t h e y c a n p r o c l a i m e i t h e r g o o d o r e v i l , a n d t h e e n d r e s u l t o f t h i s will e v e n t u a l l y be manifest". T h e elders of the priests a n d the J e w s replied, saying: " W e o b s e r v e , a n d w e k n o w f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g , t h a t it w a s t h r o u g h a n illicit u n i o n t h a t y o u w e r e c o n c e i v e d , for y o u r m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r w e r e n o t m a r r i e d . W e k n o w , f u r t h e r m o r e , t h a t it w a s in B e t h l e h e m y o u w e r e b o m , a n d

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that, as a result of y o u r birth there, a terrible slaughter w a s visited on t h e c o u n t r y , w i t h t h e k i l l i n g b y H e r o d o f t h e o t h e r c h i l d r e n in h i s search foryou,all t h e b o y s b e t w e e n t h e a g e o f t w o , a n d t h e a g e o f a y e a r and a day. W e k n o w a third fact, m o r e o v e r , that y o u r father a n d m o t h e r fled w i t h y o u f r o m J e r u s a l e m to t h e l a n d o f E g y p t , b e c a u s e t h e y d i d n o t d a r e t o r e m a i n in t h e i r o w n c o u n t r y o n y o u r a c c o u n t " . 4

T h e n a l a r g e g r o u p o f J e w s w h o h a d n o t p a r t i c i p a t e d in t h e a c c u s a t i o n o f J e s u s s a i d : " W e d o n o t c o n c u r t h a t h e w a s c o n c e i v e d in a n illicit u n i o n , f o r w e k n o w that J o s e p h w a s m a r r i e d to M a r y " . P i l a t e s a i d t o the J e w s w h o w e r e d e n o u n c i n g Christ: "It s e e m s to m e that w h a t y o u r e l a t e o f t h a t m a n is n o t t r u e , f o r a h o s t o f p e o p l e o f y o u r o w n r a c e is contradicting y o u , a n d saying that Jesus is the son o f a m a r r i e d c o u p l e " . T h e n A n n a s a n d C a i a p h a s , a l o n g w i t h all t h e p e o p l e w h o w e r e d e n o u n c i n g C h r i s t s a i d : " I t is w e w h o a r e t r u t h h i l , a n d n o t t h o s e people. T h o s e w h o o p p o s e us are disciples of Jesus. T h e y are aliens in our land, and cannot lawfully b e accepted as witnesses against u s " . Pilate asked Armas and Caiaphas: " W h o arc these people w h o are siding with J e s u s ? " " T h e y are p a g a n s " , they told him, " w h o had J e w i s h m o t h e r s , a n d t h u s call t h e m s e l v e s J e w s " . T h e s e w e r e t h e n a m e s o f t h e t w e l v e m e n w h o a f f i r m e d that J e s u s w a s b o r n o f a w e d d e d m o t h e r : Lastair, Astair, Antoin, J a c o b , Tetos, S a m u e l , Isaac, Fineis, C r i s p u s , A g r i p p a , A m e s , J u d a s . T h e s e s a i d : " W e a r e not a l i e n s , b u t a r e of Jewish ancestral descent, a n d w e speak the truth, for w e w e r e present at the marriage of Joseph and M a r y " .

5

Pilate ^ \ d to the foregoing twelve: " I b e g of y o u that y o u g i v e y o u r o a t h o n t h i s , t h a t y o u m a y s w e a r in t h e h o u s e o f C a e s a r t h a t h e is t h e son of a wedded wife". These said: " W e have a law against taking an oath in a n y worldly a s s e m b l y . Let the others s w e a r that w e a r e telling a l i e . W e a r e p r e p a r e d to risk o u r l i v e s " . T h e n t h e a c c u s e r s o f J e s u s a n s w e r e d : " W e b e l i e v e t h o s e t w e l v e w h e n t h e y s a y that h e w a s b o m o f a w e d d e d m o t h e r . N e v e r t h e l e s s , h e is a d i a b o l i c a l p e r s o n , s i n c e h e p r o c l a i m s h i m s e l f to b e t h e s o n o f C o d , a n d a k i n g a s w e l l . W e d o n o t b e l i e v e in h i m " .

6

P i l a t e o r d e r e d all t h e j e w s to b e s e n t o u t o f the p a l a c e , e x c e p t t h e t w e l v e m e n w h o had given testimony on behalf o f Christ, a n d Jesus Christ h i m s e l f . H e a s k e d w h y t h e J e w s w e r e d e m a n d i n g t h e d e a t h of C h r i s t .

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T h e y a n s w e r e d that it w a s b e c a u s e o f e n v y a n d m a l i c e , a n d o n a c c o u n t of the m a n y miracles which he had performed a m o n g the people. "It s e e m s to m e " , said P i l 3 l c , " t h a t i t i s b e c a u s e o f h i s g o o d d e e d s that they wish h a r m on him".

m 1

T h e n P i l a t e w e n t a n g r i l y o u t o f t h e p a l a c e , a n d s a i d : "I call s u n a n d m o o n to w i m e s s that I d o n o t f i n d a n y r e a s o n f o r d e a t h , n o r , i n d e e d , a n y c r i m e or sin against the h o l y m a n y o n d e r " . T h e J e w s replied, saying: " I f h e were not a n evil m a n , w e w o u l d not h a v e h a n d e d h i m o v e r to y o u " . P i l a t e r e s p o n d e d a n g r i l y a n d v e h e m e n t l y : " T a k e h i m w i t h y o u , a n d j u d g e h i m a c c o r d i n g to y o u r o w n l a w " . T h e J e w s s a i d : " W e c a n n o t p u t s o m e o n e to d e a t h u n l e s s y o u g i v e j u d g e m e n t t h a t h e m e r i t s t h e p e n a l t y of d e a t h " .

2

P i l a t e w e n t i n t o t h e p a l a c e a g a i n , c a l l e d J e s u s to h i m , a n d s a i d : " A r e y o u the k i n g o f the J e w s ? " Jesus answered him; " D o you say this of y o u r o w n accord, or has s o m e o n e else told y o u ? " Pilate replied, s a y i n g : " Y o u s e e that I a m n o t a J e w , a n d that it is y o u r o w n J e w i s h r a c e which has delivered you into m y hands. W h a t h a v e y o u d o n e against t h e m ? " J e s u s a n s w e r e d , a n d s a i d ; " M y a n c e s t r a l k i n g d o m is n o t in t h i s w o r l d . If it w e r e , m y p e o p l e , a n d m y o w n h o u s e h o l d w o u l d h a v e f o u g h t o n m y b e h a l f , a n d t h e J e w s w o u l d not h a v e h a n d e d m e o v e r " . Pilate said: " S o y o u are a king, t h e n ? " " Y o u say thai 1 a m a king, a n d y o u tell t h e t r u t h , for it i s f o r that I w a s b o m , a n d for t h a t I c a m e . A n d e v e r y o n e w h o is o n t h e s i d e o f truth s h o u l d listen to m e " . P i l a t e s a i d : ' T h e l a w p r o c l a i m s that t m t h is n o t to b e f o u n d o n e a r t h " . " T h a t is f a l s e " , s a i d J e s u s , " f o r t h e r e will b e t r u t h o n e a r t h f o r a s l o n g a s I a m o n

ir.

IV T h e n P i l a t e left J e s u s in t h e p a l a c e , a n d w e n t o u t h i m s e l f . H e t o l d t h e J e w s t h a t h e h a d n o t f o u n d a n y fault o r c r i m e in J e s u s , a n d t h a t n o h a r m o u g h t t o to b e d o n e to h i m . T h e J e w s s a i d : " H e h a s d o n e evil for w h i c h

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h e d e s e r v e s to d i e , f o r h e s a i d t h a t h e w o u l d d e m o l i s h t h e t e m p l e o f G o d , a n d r e b u i l d it in t h r e e d a y s . " P i l a t e a s k e d : " T o w h a t t e m p l e w a s Jesus referring?" ' T h e temple which Solomon son of David took fortys e v e n y e a r s to b u i l d , y e t J e s u s s a i d t h a t h e w o u l d b u i l d it i n t h r e e d a y s " . P i l a t e s a i d : " I call h e a v e n a n d e a r t h to w i t n e s s that I a m n o t guilty o f the blood of this holy m a n " . H o w e v e r , the J e w s replied: " H i s blood be upon u s , a n d upon our sons after u s " . T h e n Pilate called the elders, priests, deacons and n o b l e m e n o f the J e w s t o h i m , a n d t o l d t h e m : "I d o not f i n d c r i m e , s i n , o r fault in t h e m a n w h o m y o u d e n o u n c e to m e a s o n e d e s e r v i n g o f d e a t h " . T h e e l d e r s o f t h e J e w i s h p r i e s t s s a i d t o P i l a t e : " W e a l l a f f i r m thai e v e r y o n e w h o p r a c tices deceit should die, and h e has deceived his lord". P i l a t e o r d e r e d t h e J e w s to g o o u t o f the p a l a c e , a n d h e c a l l e d J e s u s t o h i m , a n d a s k e d : " W h a t a m I to d o w i t h y o u ? " J e s u s r e p l i e d : " F r o m t h e earliest times, Moses, son of A m r a , and the prophets foretold m y coming a n d m y resurrection". The Jews rose u p against Jesus, and s a i d : " W h a t g r e a t e r f a l s e h o o d c o u l d w e a s s e r t a g a i n s t h i m t h a n that which he himself asserts?" P i l a t e s a i d : " I f h i s t e s t i m o n y to m e i s f a l s e , t a k e h i m , a n d J u d g e h i m a c c o r d i n g to y o u r o w n l a w s " . " A c c o r d i n g to the l a w " , s a i d J u d a s , " i f a person offends against his neighbour, he should give the n e i g h b o u r r e s t i t u t i o n to t h e v a l u e o f f o r t y t a l e n t s l e s s o n e . If h e o f f e n d s a g a i n s t God, however, he should be stoned immediately". Pilate looked at the Jewish c r o w d , and seeing a large g r o u p s o r r o w i n g a n d l a m e n t i n g g r e a t l y that J e s u s w a s in c a p t i v i t y b e f o r e t h e m , h e s a i d : " N o t all t h e p e o p l e a r e c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t J e s u s , a n d d e m a n d i n g h i s d e a t h " . T h e J e w s a n s w e r e d a n d s a i d : " W e h a v e c o m e h e r e to s e e t h a t h e s h o u l d d i e , a n d that h i s n a m e s h o u l d b e s e t d o w n a s a l e s s o n to t h e p e o p l e " . P i l a t e a s k e d : " W h y d o e s h e d e s e r v e to d i e ? " T h e y a n s w e r e d t h a t it w a s b e c a u s e h e h a d p r o c l a i m e d h i m s e l f t h e s o n o f G o d . " T h e n let h i m b e e x e c u t e d w i t h o u t d e l a y " , s a i d P i l a t e .

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T h e n a noble J e w called N i c o d e m u s rose u p before Pilate a n d said : " H e a r m e , O lord, Pilate, and allow m e a few words with y o u " . " S p e a k , a n d I will l i s t e n " , s a i d P i l a t e . "I a s k o f t h e n o b l e s , p r i e s t s , a n d d e a c o n s , a n d of t h e w h o l e J e w i s h p e o p l e w h y t h e y s e e k t h e d e a t h o f J e s u s . F o r t h e r e h a s n o t c o m e , n o r will t h e r e c o m e , a n y o n e a m o n g s t t h e J e w s a b l e to p e r f o r m s u c h w o n d e r f u l s i g n s a n d m i r a c l e s a s d i d J e s u s . F o r t h i s r e a s o n I o f f e r b o l d b u t g o d l y c o u n s e l to t h e a f o r e m e n t i o n e d p e o p l e , t h a t t h e y f r e e J e s u s f r o m t h e c h a r g e s a g a i n s t h i m . If h i s m a n i f o l d d e e d s a r e p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h t h e p o w e r o f G o d , t h e y will t r u l y p r o s p e r . If, h o w e v e r , t h e y c o m e f r o m t h e d e v i l , t h e y will p e r i s h , l i k e e v e r y falsehood".

2

T h e J e w s r e p l i e d to N i c o d e m u s in f u i y a n d a n g e r : " W e l>elieve y o u to be a disdple of Jesus because you are speaking on his behalf". N i c o d e m u s r e s p o n d e d ; " P i l a t e i s n o d i s d p l e o f J e s u s , y e t h e w h o is appointed b y C a e s a r a s his representati v e a m o n g s t y o u , J e w s , speaks o n b e h a l f o f J e s u s " . T h e J e w s s n a r l e d a n d b a r e d t h e i r teeth a t N i c o d e m u s b e c a u s e o f t h o s e w o r d s , a n d t h e y s a i d : " M a y h i s truth a n d p o w e r avail y o u a n d y o u r soul in the hereafter". N i c o d e m u s a n s w e r e d : " S o b e it, a s y o u h a v e s a i d " .

VI 1

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T h e n a n o t h e r n o b l e m a n o f t h e J e w s l e a p t u p , a n d a s k e d for a h e a r i n g f r o m P i l a t e , w h o a g r e e d . " F o r a full y e a r " , s a i d t h e m a n , " I l a y ill i n b e d , u n a b l e t o rise, a n d I a s k e d m y s e r v a n t s to b r i n g m e t o J e s u s . W h e n h e s a w m e , his mercy c a m e upon m e , and h e said to m e : ' Rise u p and walk'. And I rose immediately afterwards at the word of Jesus, and I a m to t h i s d a y w i t h o u t i l l n e s s o r i l l - h e a l t h " . T h e J e w s a s k e d that m a n : " O n w h a t d a y w e r e y o u h e a l e d ? " H e replied that it w a s on the S a b b a t h , that i s , o n S a t u r d a y . " I s t h i s n o t w h a t w e t o l d y o u , O l o r d , P i l a t e ? " , s a i d t h e J e w s , " t h a t it w a s o n t h e S a b b a t h t h a t h e p e r f o r m e d all h i s h e a l i n g s " ? T h e r e u p o n a n o t h e r J e w i s h m a n g o t u p , a n d s a i d : "1 w a s b o m b l i n d , a n d h e a r d t h e v o i c e o f J e s u s t h o u g h I d i d n o t s e e h i m . I p r a y e d that h i s

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m e r c y would descend on m e . T h e n h e put his fingers o v e r m y e y e s , a n d i m m e d i a t e l y I s a w h i m " . Yet another m a n rose, a n d said : " I w a s hunchbacked from birth, and he cured m e with a single w o r d " . A f u r t h e r m a n r o s e , a n d s a i d : "I w a s a l e p e r , a n d h e c u r e d m e w i t h a single w o r d " .

Vil T h e n a J e w i s h w o m a n g o t u p , s a y i n g : " I h a d a h a e m o r r h a g e for t w e l v e y e a r s , a n d I c a u g h t a n d a p p l i e d to m e t h e h e m of h i s g a r m e n t , a n d straight a w a y the flow of blood was stopped". T h e J e w s responded : "It is in the law that the testimony o f a w o m a n b e not a c c e p t e d " .

VIIl T h e n there rose together a large c r o w d of Jews, both w o m e n a n d m e n , w h o d e c l a r e d t h a t n e v e r b e f o r e h a d c o m e a p r o p h e t s u c h a s j e s u s , to w h o m a l l t h e d e m o n s w e r e in s u b j e c t i o n . P i l a l e a s k e d t h e J e w s : " W h y a r e t h e d e m o n s n o t i n s u b j e c t i o n to y o u r t e a c h e r s a s t h e y a r e to J e s u s ? " " W e d o n o t k n o v / ' , ihay r e p l i e d . N o w a n o t h e r g r o u p of J e w s p r o claimed h o w Jesus had resurrected Lazarus after f o u r d a y s a n d nights i n t h e g r a v e . P i l a t e t r e m b l e d f r o m f r o m h e a d to f o o t , a n d s a i d : " O p e o p l e , w h a t d o e s it p r o f i t y o u to t a k e i n n o c e n t b l o o d ? "

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T h e n h e c a l l e d to h i m N i c o d e m u s , a n d t h e t w e l v e m e n w h o w e r e a s s i s t i n g C h r i s t , a n d s a i d : " W h a t a m 1 to d o , for m u c h evil c o u n s e l h a s b e e n set b e f o r e t h e p e o p l e ? " " W e a r e a w a r e o f t h a t " , t h e y r e p l i e d . " Y o u s h a l l s e e h o w t h e y s h a l l b e p u n i s h e d f o r ir. T h e r e u p o n P i l a t e c a l l e d all t h e j e v k i s h p e o p l e to h i m , a n d s a i d to t h e m : " Y o u k n o w that it is a n a n c e s t r a l c u s t o m a m o n g y o u that a t e v e r y g r e a t festival a p r i s o n e r c o n d e m n e d to d e a t h is s e t free w i t h o u t r a n s o m o r p u n i s h m e n t , b y j u d g e m e n t o f t h e l a w . T h e r e a r e a t p r e s e n t t w o p r i s o n e r s in m y c h a r g e , B a r a b b a s , a s a m u r d e r e r , a n d J e s u s C h r i s t , w h o is g u i l t y o f n o c r i m e o r s i n . M a k e y o u r c h o i c e a s to w h i c h o f t h e m y o u w i s h l o b e

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freed from m y p o w e r " . T h e Jews rose together, s a y i n g : "Let Barabas b e f r e e d , a n d let J e s u s b e c r u c i f i e d " . A n d t h e y d e c l a r e d : " I f y o u let J e s u s g o f r e e , y o u will b e n o f r i e n d o f C a e s a r , f o r e v e r y o n e w h o p r o c l a i m s h i m s e l f a k i n g is a n e n e m y o f C a e s a r . N o w J e s u s s a y s that h e is t h e s o n o f G o d , a n d that h e is a k i n g . F o r t h a t r e a s o n J e s u s m u s t not b e freed, for, after all, y o u yourself are the servant of C a e s a r " . P i l a t e g r e w f u r i o u s a t t h i s , a n d s a i d to t h e J e w s : " T r u l y y o u a r e a n e n v i o u s , o d i o u s p e o p l e . Y o u a r e t u r n i n g u p o n t h e o n e w h o c o m e s to your o w n assistance". The Jews responded, saying : "Against w h o m have w e turned thus?" rilaiereplied:"AgainstyourownGod,he who freed y o u f r o m terrible captivity in E g y p t , a n d brought y o u d r y - s h o d a c r o s s t h e R e d S e a , a s t h o u g h y o u w e r e t r a v e r s i n g a c r o s s l a n d . It is h e w h o f e d y o u i n t h e d e s e r t w i t h m a n n a , that i s , w i t h t h e b r e a d o f a n g e l s , a n d s a t i s f i e d y o u r thirst w i t h w a t e r d r a w n f r o m f o r t r e s s o f s t o n e . H e g a v e y o u y o u r a n c e s t r a l l a w , b r o u g h t y o u t o f a i t h , a n d g u i d e d y o u in e v e r y w a y . A f t e r all that, y o u b e t r a y e d a n d d e f i e d y o u r L o r d , a d o r i n g the golden calf m a d e by h u m a n hands, and forsaking y o u r own G o d . Because of this d e e d , your G o d w a s o n the point o f exterminating you a l l , until M o s e s p r a y e d o n y o u r b e h a l f t h a t y o u s h o u l d n o t all d i e t o g e t h e r . S i n c e y o u a c t e d t h u s a t that time, it is n o w o n d e r t h a t y o u s h o u l d tell m e t h a t I h a t e m y o w n k i n g a n d l o r d " . T h e n P i l a t e g o t u p f r o m h i s r o y a l s e a t , w i s h i n g to l e a v e , b u t t h e J e w s r o s e , a n d s a i d : " T h o u g h y o u m a y l e a v e , it is C a e s a r w h o i s k i n g o v e r u s , a n d not J e s u s . M o r e o v e r , it i s o n a c c o u n t o f J e s u s t h a t H e r o d killed t h e b o y s i n B e t h l e h e m w h e n h e h e a r d that t h e M i d i a n w i s e m e n h a d brought him gifts as though for a king". W h e n Pilate heard those w o r d s , h e b e c a m e a f r a i d a n d f e a r f u l , a n d in t h e h e a r i n g o f all t h e p e o p l e h e c r i e d o u t ; " I s it t h e c a s e t h a t t h i s is t h e J e s u s w h o m H e r o d w a s s e e k i n g ? " T h e y all a n s w e r e d that it w a s s o . T h e n Pilate got water, and washed his hands before the people, s a y i n g : " I a m i n n o c e n t o f t h e b l o o d o f t h i s righteous m a n " . T h e J e w s replied ; " L e t his blood b e u p o n us, a n d on o u r s o n s after u s " . T h e n P i l a t e o r d e r e d that J e s u s b e b r o u g h t i n t o h i s p r e s e n c e , a n d h e d e l i v e r e d j u d g e m e n t o n h i m in t h e s e w o r d s : " O J e s u s " , s a i d h e , " Y o u r o w n p e o p l e m a d e a c c u s a t i o n a b o u t y o u to m e , a f f i r m i n g t h a t y o u p r o c l a i m e d t h a t y o u w e r e a k i n g , a n d that y o u w e r e t h e s o n o f G o d . F o r

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t h i s r e a s o n , I h a n d y o u o v e r to t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e s e p e o p l e , in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e j u d g e m e n t o f t h e l a w , to b e s c o u r g e d , b e a t e n , a n d b a t t e r e d first, a n d t h e r e a f t e r t o b e c r u c i f i e d " .

X

T h e n Jesus w a s d r a g g e d out of the palace, a n d there w e r e two thieves along with him, called Dismus and lasmus. W h e n they reached the p l a c e o f c r u c i f i x i o n , J e s u s w a s s t r i p p p e d of h i s g a r m e n t s , a n d a c r o w n o f thorns was placed on his head. H e w a s then crucified, with the t w o t h i e v e s o n e i t h e r s i d e o f h i m , n a m e l y , D i s m u s a t h i s right s i d e , a n d l a s m u s a t h i s left. J e s u s s a i d : " O f a t h e r , s p a r e a n d f o r g i v e the w r e t c h e s w h o are d o i n g this, for they do not k n o w w h a t they are d o i n g " . T h e n t h e J e w s d i v i d e d C h r i s f s g a r m e n t s a m o n g t h e m b y the c a s t i n g o f l o t s , and those Jews who were around the c r o ^ were deriding Jesus, s a y i n g : " I f you are the son o f G o d , saveyourself no w " . T h e Icadersand elders of the Jews, moreover, were saying amongst themselves after t h e m : " H e s a v e d o t h e r s , a n d is n o t a b l e to s a v e h i m s e l f . If h e he t h e s o n o f G o d , let h i m c o m e d o w n from t h e c r o s s , a n d w e will b e l i e v e in h i m " . T h e n J e s u s s a i d : " I a m t h i r s t y " . T h e r e u p o n t h e s o l d i e r s filled a v e s s e l w i t h v i n e g a r a n d g a l l , a n d g a v e it to J e s u s , w h o d r a n k it. T h e n o n e o f th s o l d i e r s w h o s e n a m e w a s L o n g i n u s c a m e f o r w a r d . H i s a p p p e a r a n c e w a s s u c h t h a t h i s f a c e w a s a flat s u r f a c e , a n d h e w a s w i t h o u t e y e s . With a great spear h e struck Jesus's side, as h e had been instructed, for n o - o n e w h o c o u l d s e e J e s u s w i s h e d to w o u n d h i m . I m m e d i a t e l y t h e r e flowed two sfreams from Jesus's side, a stream of blood, a n d a stream o f w a t e r . A n d L o n g i n u s r u b b e d o n h i s f o r e h e a d the b l o o d w h i c h r a n d o w n h i s s p e a r . T h e n t w o c l e a r grey e y e s a p p e a r e d in h i s h e a d , a n d w h e n h e t h u s s a w t h e f a c e o f J e s u s h e b e l i e v e d in h i m , a n d a s k e d h i s m e r c y . T h i s w a s i m m e d i a t e l y g r a n t e d to h i m . P i l a t e t h e n o r d e r e d that a n i n s c r i p t i o n b e p l a c e d a b o v e t h e h e a d of J e s u s o n the c r o s s , w r i t t e n in H e b r e w a n d G r e e k a n d L a t i n . T h i s is w h a t w a s w r i t t e n : " H e r e i s t h e king o f the J e w s " . T h e J e w s rose u p , saying : " W h y have you written that this m a n w a s the k i n g of the J e w s ? " Then the second o f the m e n being crucified with Jesus spoke: " I f you b e J e s u s C h r i s t , s a v e y o u r s e l f , a n d s a v e u s f r o m t h e g r e a t peril in w h i c h w e find o u r s e l v e s " . T h e o t h e r c o n d e m n e d m a n a n s w e r e d , s a j n n g :

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" Y o u h a v e n o f e a r o f G o d , a n d y o u a r e l i k e the c r o w d y o n d e r , f o r y o u h a v e h a d a s i m i l a r u p b r i n g i n g . It is f i t t i n g t h a t w e s h o u l d b e c r u c i f i e d , for w e h a v e c o m m i t t e d m u c h evil, j e s u s , h o w e v e r , h a s not d o n e the slightest w r o n g " . H e spoke then to Jesus: " O L o r d " , said h e , " R e m e m b e r m e w h e n y o u re^ch y o u r o w n k i n g d o m " . J e s u s a n s w e r e d h i m , s a y i n g : " I tell y o u t r u l y t h a t t o d a y y o u will b e in m y c o m p a n y in Paradise".

XI It w a s t h e s i x t h h o u r o f t h e d a y , a n d f r o m that t i m e , a g r e a t d a r k n e s s c a m e o v e r the earth until the ninth hour. A n d the s u n w a s o b s c u r e d , a n d the d o m e of the temple split in t w o from top lo bo tto m. T h e earth shifted a n d the land trembled greatly. T h e n Jesus cried out with a loud v o i c e : " O L o r d , I c o m m e n d m y spirit t o y o u r c h a r g e " . T h e n h e b o w e d his h e a d , a n d his spirit d e p a r t e d from h i m . A certain powerful m a n called Centurio, having seen these w o n d e r s , glorified G o d , saying: " T h a t m a n yonder w h o w a s crucified a n d t o r t u r e d i s a righteous m a n " . T h e p e o p l e w h o w e r e a r o u n d h i m b e a t t h e i r b r e a s t s , a n d w e r e g r e a t l y fearful a n d a f r a i d . W h e n P i l a t e h e a r d t h e s e t h i n ^ , h e b e c a m e v e r y s o r r o w f u l , a n d h e c a l l e d t h e J e w s to h i m , saying: " A r e you a w a r e n o w of these great miracles jjerformed for y o u ? " T h e j e w s replied: "These are no miracles, simply an eclipse w h i c h c o v e r e d t h e s u n in a m a n n e r w h i c h is n o r m a l " . The acquaintances of Jesus, and the w o m e n w h o had followed him from Galilee, w e r e around the cross, grieving a n d lamenting at the s i g h t o f all t h a l h a d b e e n d o n e to J e s u s . T h e n t h e r e c a m e f o r w a r d a m a n w h o w a s g o o d a n d righteous, t r u l y p i o u s a n d g o d l y , c h a r i t a b l e a n d judicious. H e w a s called Joseph, a n d c a m e from the city k n o w n a s A r i m a t h a e a . H e w a s a m a n w h o h a d n o part i n t h e s i n f u l n e s s a n d i n i q u i t y o f t h e J e w s . H e a s k e d P i l a t e t o a l l o w h i m to t a k e t h e b o d y o f J e s u s f r o m t h e c r o s s in o r d e r to b u r y it, a n d P i l a t e g r a n t e d h i m t h a t permission. T h e n he r e m o v e d the b o d y o f Jesus from the cross, b o u n d it in the b e s t w h i t e l i n e n , a n d b u r i e d it in a p l a c e w h e r e n o b o d y h a d ever been buried before.

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N o w w h e n t h e J e w s h e a r d t h a t J o s e p h h a d a s k e d for t h e b o d y o f J e s u s , a n d h a d b u r i e d it, t h e y s e n t a h u g e t r o o p to l o o k for h i m , a n d to l o o k f o r t h e t w e l v e m e n w h o h a d g i v e n t e s t i m o n y that J e s u s w a s n o t b o m o f a harlot. T h e y were also seeking N i c o d e m u s , and the others w h o h a d related the miracles and g o o d w o r k s of Jesus. All o f these h a d fled, a n d h a d concealed themselves except for N i c o d e m u s alone. For h e w a s a n o b l e a n d p o w e r f u l m a n a m o n g s t t h e J e w s , a n d h e s a i d to t h e m ; " W h y h a v e y o u c o m e i n t o t h e c h u r c h to p r a y a f t e r y o u h a v e p e r p e t r a t e d t h e m o s t m o m e n t o u s d e e d o n e a r t h , n a m e l y , the c r u c i f i x i o n a n d torture of Jesus Christ?" " W h y , indeed, have you yourself c o m e into t h e t e m p l e " , t h e y r e t o r t e d , " s i n c e y o u s i d e d w i t h C h r i s t , a n d m a y it b e a l o n g w i t h h i m t h a t y o u f i n d c o m p a n y in t h e a f t e r l i f e ? " " M a y it b e a s y o u s a y " , said N i c o d e m u s . There was another J e w w h o was being s o u g h t in like m a n n e r , w h o d i d not conceal himself, n a m e l y , J o s e p h . H e s a i d to t h e J e w s : " A r e y o u a n g r y w i t h m e f o r h a v i n g s o u g h t t h e b o d y o f J e s u s f r o m P i l a t e , a n d b u r i e d it, p l a c i n g a s t o n e a t t h e e n t r a n c e to t h e t o m b ? Y o u d i d n o g o o d b y c r u c i f y i n g that just m a n w i t h o u t cause. Indeed, not only did y o u c m c i f y h i m , but y o u beat and stripped him, and pierced his side with a great spear". W h e n the J e w s heard t h i s , t h e y laid h o l d o f J o s e p h , a n d t h e y c o m m a n d e d t h a t h e b e k e p t c a p t i v e until a f t e r t h e S a b b a t h . T h e y s a i d to h i m : " W e k n o w t h a t y o u d o n o t d e s e r v e b u r i a l a f t e r b e i n g p u t to d e a t h , s o w e will l e a v e y o u r b o d y t o b e e a t e n b y t h e b i r d s o f t h e a i r , a n d t h e b e a s t s of t h e e a r t h " . Thereup>on J o s e p h s a i d : ' T h a t s p e e c h is l i k e t h e s p e e c h o f t h e p r o u d G o l i a t h b e f o r e D a v i d , o n t h e d a y that t h e y e n c o u n t e r e d e a c h o t h e r . H i s p r i d e w a s h u m b l e d , a s will y o u r p r i d e , f o r G o d h i m s e l f h a s s a i d , t h r o u g h t h e m o u t h o f h i s p r o p h e t , ' L e a v e v e n g e a n c e to m e , a n d I vAll e x a c t it'. P i l a t e w a s h e d h i s h a n d s in y o u r p r e s e n c e , a n d s w o r e b y t h e s u n a n d m o o n to y o u t h a t h e w a s i n n o c e n t o f the b l o o d o f t h e righteous m a n w h o m y o u c m c i f i e d . A n d y o u a n s w e r e d h i m : ' l ^ t his b l o o d b e u p o n u s , a n d u p o n o u r d e s c e n d a n t s ' . I f e a r t h a t t h e a n g e r o f G o d will d e s c e n d o n y o u , a n d o n y o u r s o n s a f t e r y o u , a n d t h a t h e will u t t e r l y destroy you on account of the enormous deed which you perpetrated". W h e n the J e w s heard t h i s s p e e c h , great anger a n d fury seized t h e m . T h e y took Joseph captive, a n d placed h i m in a closed c h a m b e r with n o w i n d o w at all. T h e y put an iron lock on the door, a n d set t w o m e n to g u a r d it, n a m e l y A n n a s a n d C a i a p h a s .

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T h e n they took counsel with the priests and d e a c o n s o f t h e people, a n d d e c i d e d to g a t h e r in o n e p l a c e a f t e r t h e S a b b a t h , in o r d e r to r e s o l v e h o w t o p u t J o s e p h to d e a t h . N o w t h e r e a s s e m b l e d a f t e r t h e S a b b a t h t h e ciders, priests, a n d leaders o f the people, a n d they d e m a n d e d thai A n n a s a n d C a i a p h a s b r i n g J o s e p h b e f o r e t h e m to b e p u n i s h e d . T h e y o p e n e d t h e d o o r o f t h e c h a m b e r , b u t f o u n d that J o s e p h w a s n o t t h e r e a t a l l . It g r e a t l y a s t o n i s h e d all t h e p e o p l e t h a t t h e d o o r h a d b e e n left c l o s e d , b u t that J o s e p h w a s not to b e f o u n d i n s i d e t h e c h a m b e r .

xm A s they wore discussing this, they saw a p p r o a c h i n g t h e m a band o f the soldiers w h o w e r e g u a r d i n g t h e b u r i a l - p l a c e o f j e s u s . These called out: " L i s t e n to us- A s w e w e r e w a t c h i n g o v e r J e s u s ' s b u r i a l - p l a c e , a g r e a t d a r k n e s s c a m e o v e r t h e s u n . a n d theearth quaked a n d shook. Then w e s a w a n a n g e l o f G o d b y t h e s t o n e w h i c h w a s a t t h e e n t r a n c e t o the t o m b . H e w a s r e s p l e n d e n t l i k e the s u n , a n d h i s g a r m e n t s a s w h i t e a s s n o w . In o u r t e r r o r o f h i m , o u r s t r e n g t h a n d v i g o u r d e s e r t e d u s . I n d e e d , w e w e r e l i k e d e a d m e n . W e h e a r d t h e a n g e l Sf>eaking w i t h t h e w o m e n w h o w e r e at the other s i d e o f the t o m b , a n d s a j i n g to t h e m : 'Do n o t b e a f r a i d , f o r I k n o w that it is J e s u s w h o m y o u s e e k , h e w h o w a s c r u c i f i e d , a n d w a s b u r i e d h e r e . H e is n o l o n g e r h e r e , f o r h e is risen f r o m t h e d e a d , a s h e p r o m i s e d . Lot y o u h u r r y to h i s a p o s t l e s a n d d i s c i p l e s , a n d tell t h e m t o g o t o G a l i l e e t o m e e t h i m . H e will h a v e g o n e b e f o r e y o u t h e r e , a n d y o u will s e e h i m t h e n , a s h e f o r e t o l d a n d p r o m i s e d y o u ' . T h e J e w s w e r e e n r a g e d a n d e x t r e m e l y a n g r y with t h e s o l d i e r s i n charge of the tomb, a n d they said : " W h o were these w o m e n w h o m y o u s a w , a n d w h a t p o s s e s s e d y o u n o t to l a y h o l d o f t h e m , a n d b r i n g them with y o u ? " T h e soldiers replied: "In our fear of the angel, w e w e r e l i k e d e a d rru;n. H o w c o u l d w e t a k e t h e w o m e n p r i s o n e r w h e n w e w e r e in t h a t c o n d i t i o n ? " T h e J e w s a n s w e r e d t h e m , s a y i n g : " W e will p r o n o u n c e the Lord alive o n l y in his presence, for w e d o n o t believe anything of what you s a y " . T h e soldiers responded, saying: " W h y should you believe us? For h e w h o m you saw raising the dead, curing e v e r y d i s e a s e a n d i l l n e s s , a n d p e r f o r m i n g all t h e s e g o d l y m i r a c l e s b e f o r e y o u , that i s J e s u s C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d , not o n l y d i d y o u n o t b e l i e v e i n h i m , b u t y o u c r u c i f i e d a n d t o r t u r e d h i m for t h o s e v e r y

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d e e d s o f g o o d n e s s . It i s t r u e , i n d e e d " , t h e y s a i d , " t h e L o r d is a l i v e , Jesus Christ, son of the living G o d , he w h o m you crucified a n d t o r t u r e d . W e h a v e h e a r d that y o u i m p r i s o n e d J o s e p h f o r h a v i n g e n t o m b e d t h e b o d y o f J e s u s , a n d t h a t , a f t e r h a v i n g left h i m in a c l o s e d c h a m b e r , w h e n y o u o p e n e d it u p , J o s e p h w a s not to b e f o u n d t h e r e i n . L£t y o u , t h e n , p r o d u c e f o r u s J o s e p h , t h e m a n w h o m y o u w e r e g u a r d i n g in a s e a l e d c h a m b e r , a n d w e will b r i n g y o u the b o d y o f J e s u s , w h i c h w e w e r e g u a r d i n g in t h e t o m b " . T h e J e w s r e p l i e d : " W e w i l l b r i n g y o u J o s e p h , s o let y o u b r i n g u s J e s u s . F o r J o s e p h is i n h i s o w n c i t y o f A r i m i t h a e a " . T h e g u a r d s a n s w e r e d b a c k : "If, i n d e e d , J o s e p h i s t h e r e , s o t o o is J e s u s in t h e p l a c e c a l l e d G a l i l e e , a s w e h e a r d t h e a n g e l tell t h e women". W h e n the J e w s heard this, they trembled with hate a n d fear and consternation. A m o n ^ t themselves they said: "If these tidings are h e a r d p u b l i c l y t h r o u g h o u t t h e l a n d , all o f t h e p e o p l e w i l l b e l i e v e in J e s u s " . T h e y t h e y g a t h e r e d m o n e y , a n d g a v e it to t h e g u a r d s o f t h e t o m b , telling t h e m to s a y that while they w e r e asleep the b o d y of Jesus w a s stolen from them. T h e g u a r d s took the m o n e y , a n d did a s they w e r e told b y the J e w s .

XIV \

While these discussions were taking place, they saw approaching t h e m a priest a n d d e a c o n a n d teacher from Galilee, and in the church, in t h e m i d s t o f t h e t e m p l e , t h e s e s a i d to t h e m : ' T h e J e s u s w h o m y o u c r u c i f i e d w e h a v e s e e n , s e a t e d o n t h e s u m m i t o f M o u n t O l i v e t , in t h e c o m p a n y of eleven disciples. A n d he w a s s a y i n g to t h e m : ' G o througho u t t h e w h o l e w o r l d , a n d p r e a c h a b o u t m e to all t h e p e o p l e s , a n d proclaim m y tidings. Baptize everyone w h o believes in you in the n a m e of the Father, S o n , and H o l y Spirit. H e w h o believes will b e s a v e d , a n d h e w h o will n o t b e l i e v e will b e d a m n e d ' . A f t e r h e h a d s a i d t h i s , w e s a w h i m g o u p in t h e m i d s t o f t h e c l o u d s to h e a v e n " .

2

W h e n the chief priests a n d elders of the Jewish people heard this, they said to the three [who h a d given testimony]: " G i v e glory and honour t o G o d , a n d a f f i r m i n o u r p r e s e n c e w h e t h e r t h e s e t h i n g s w h i c h y o u tell us are true". " W e s w e a r " , they said, " b y the G o d o f A b r a h a m , a n d the

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G o d o f I s a a c , a n d t h e G o d o f J a c o b , that w e s a w J e s u s , a s w e h a v e r e l a t e d , a n d if w e w e r e to c o n c e a l w h a t w e s a w , w e w o u l d b e c o m m i t i n g s i n " . T h e n the chief priest rose, a n d g a v e the three a l a r g e h o a r d o f m o n e y in r e t u r n f o r t h e i r c o n c e a l m e n t o f t h e i r t i d i n g s . P e o p l e w e r e s e n t to e s c o r t t h e m o u t o f t h e l a n d , lest t h e y r e m a i n a n y l o n g e r a m o n g the people. T h e n the J e w s a ^ m b l e d in o n e place, a n d w r u n g their h a n d s a n d m a d e g r e a t l a m e n t a t i o n , s a y i n g to o n e a n o t h e n " W h a t i s t h i s p r o d i g i o u s s i g n b e i n g m a n i f e s t e d in t h e l a n d o f I s r a e l ? " T w o J e w i s h l o a d e r s , the priests A n n a s and C a i a p h a s , rose to hearten the p e o p l e , telling t h e m n o t to b e d e j e c t e d o r t r o u b l e d . T h e y s a i d ; "Do y o u w i s h to g i v e credence to the g u a r d s o f the tomb? For they are of foreign race, from o u t s i d e t h i s c o u n t r y , a n d t h e y a c c e p t e d p a j m i e n t f r o m u s in r e t u r n f o r t h e i r c o n c e a l i n g w h a t w e w i s h to b e c o n c e a l e d . H o w d o w e k n o w t h a t that they did not take similar payment from the disciples of Jesus as a r e w a r d f o r s a y i n g t h a t h e h a d risen f r o m t h e d e a d ? "

XV At that, there stood u p an outstanding n o b l e m a n a m o n g the people, whose n a m e was Nicodemus. "Beloved kinsmen", said he, "did you hear those three swear that they s a w Jesus on the s u m m i t o f M o u n t Olivet, a m o n g his apostles a n d disciples, and that they s a w h i m a f t e r w a r d s a s c e n d to h e a v e n ? Let y o u not w o n d e r at t h a t " , said h e , " f o r h o l y s c r i p t u r e r e l a t e s t h a t t h e p r o p h e t Elijah w a s b o r n e t o h e a v e n in h i s e a r t h l y b o d y . A n d w h e n t h e p e o p l e a s k e d t h e p r o p h e t E l i s h a : ' W h e r e w a s o u r f a t h e r t a k e n ? ' , h e a n s w e r e d that h e h a d b e e n b r o u g h t t o h e a v e n . T h e r e f o r e , w e s h o u l d g o to l o o k f o r J e s u s t o M o u n t O l i v e t , w h e r e h e w a s s e e n , to d i s c o v e r if h e is to b e f o u n d t h e r e . A n d if w e f i n d h i m t h e r e , let u s r e p e n t o f o u r s i n s , a n d d o h i m r e v e r e n c e " . T h e J e w s t h e n s e l e c t e d a t r o o p to g o in s e a r c h of J e s u s . T h e s e s e t o u t , a n d spent three d a y s traversing the m o u n t a i n s of Israel w i t h o u t finding Jesus. They returned, saying: " W e did not find Jesus, but w e f o u n d J o s e p h in the city called A r i m a t h a e a " . W h e n the J e w s heard that Joseph w a s i n that city, they rejoiced greatly, a n d t h e y m a d e e n q u i r y a s to h o w t h e y c o u l d b r i n g J o s e p h to t h e m t o

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r e l a t e h i s s t o r y . T h e y t o o k p a r c h m e n t , a n d w r o t e a l e t t e r o n it, t h e w o r d s o f w h i c h w e r e : ' T e a c e a n d j o y to y o u , O f a t h e r , J o s e p h , a n d to all w h o a r e w i t h y o u . W e a c k n o w l e d g e that w e s i n n e d , a n d t h a t w e b e t r a y e d J e s u s , a n d y o u a l s o . T h o u g h w e a c t e d t h u s , it w o u l d b e r i g h t f o r y o u to c o m e to s p e a k w i t h y o u r f a t h e r s a n d c h i l d r e n , a n d y o u r o w n r a c e . F o r it i s a g r e a t w o n d e r to u s h o w y o u g o t o u t o f t h e c h a m b e r in which you were detained. Grievous, indeed, was the plan which we p r o p o s e d to c a r r y o u t a g a i n s t y o u , y e t G o d s a v e d y o u f r o m o u r h a n d s , a n d f r o m t h e m a l i c e o f o u r d e c i s i o n . P e a c e , t h e n , t o y o u , O lord J o s e p h , a n d g r e a t h o n o u r f r o m all o f t h e p e o p l e " . T h e s e w e r e t h e w o r d s o f t h e l e t t e r to J o s e p h . T h e J e w s c h o o s e seven f r i e n d s o f Joseph, and sent t h e m with the letter to J o s e p h , s a y i n g : " W h e n y o u r e a c h the p l a c e w h e r e J o s e p h i s , g i v e h i m t h i s letter i n t o h i s h a n d " . T h e s e v e n w e n t t o t h e p l a c e , a n d g a v e t h e l e t t e r i n t o J o s e p h ' s h a n d , a n d w h e n h e r e a d it h e s a i d : " B l e s s e d is o u r L o r d , the G o d o f Israel, h e w h o saved m e f r o m the h a n d s o f that p e o p l e , so t h a t t h e y d i d n o t s h e d m y b l o o d " . A n d J o s e p h k i s s e d t h e m e s s e n g e r s w h o c a m e with the letter. A n a s s w a s p r o v i d e d f o r h i m , a n d h e m o u n t e d it, a n d t r a v e l l e d to w h e r e t h e J e w s w e r e . W h e n t h e p e o p l e h e a r d t h i s , t h e y all c a m e to m e e t h i m , a n d k i s s e d h i m . J o s e p h s a i d : " P e a c e , O L o r d to all t h e p e o p l e " . N i c o d e m u s t o o k h i m to h i s o w n h o u s e t h a t n i g h t . A n d o n t h e m o r r o w t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e p e o p l e a s s e m b l e d t h e r e to q u e s t i o n J o s e p h , s a y i n g : " C o n f e s s n o w to G o d , y o u r L o r d , a n d r e v e a l t r u l y to u s all t h a t w e e n q u i r e o f y o u . W e w e r e g r e a t l y a n g e r e d a n d s a d d e n e d b y y o u r b u r i a l o f J e s u s , a n d w e i m p r i s o n e d y o u in a c h a m b e r , a n d s h u t it f a s t . T h e n , w h e n w e o p e n e d it, w e d i d n o t f i n d y o u within. This astonished us very m u c h . Tell us n o w what h a p p e n e d to y o u , a n d h o w y o u e s c a p e d " . J o s e p h r e p l i e d , s a y i n g : " A f t e r y o u s h u t m e i n t h e c h a m b e r at e v e n i n g t i m e , I w a s p r a y i n g until m i d n i g h t . A n d t h e n 1 s a w a n a n g e l a t e v e r y c o m e r o f t h e h o u s e , a n d J e s u s C h r i s t in t h e c e n t r e . I a m not a b l e to d e s c r i b e h i s r e s p l e n d e n c e a d e q u a t e l y . In f e a r , I t h r e w m y s e l f f a c e d o v m w a r d o n t h e g r o u n d . H e t o o k m y r i g h t h a n d in h i s , a n d r a i s e d m e up, shook rose-water on m e to clean m y face, and kissed m e . H e said

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scripture into their h a n d s . T h e y requested t h e m b y the G o d o f J e r u s a l e m , t h e G o d o f A b r a h a m , a n d o f J a c o b , a n d o f I s a a c , to tell t h e p e o p l e h o w t h e y t h e m s e l v e s h a d risen f r o m t h e d e a d , a n d w h a t t h e y h a d s e e n . Then two of those who were resurrected, whose names were Carinus a n d L e u i c i u s r o s e . T h e y a f f i r m e d that t h e y w e r e t w o s o n s o f S i m e o n , the just m a n w h o m w e h a v e mentioned earlier. T h e y t r e m b l e d , s i g h e d , a n d r a i s e d t h e i r eyes to h e a v e n . T h e n t h e y m a d e t h e s i g n o f t h e c r o s s with their fingers over their tongues, a n d they said: "Bring u s parchm e n t , s o that w e m a y w r i t e d o w n all t h a t w e h a v e s e e n a n d h e a r d " . T h i s w a s brought to them, and they wrote thus: IKXVIII) O J e s u s C h r i s t , L o r d a n d G o d , t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n o f t h e d e a d a n d t h e life o f t h e l i v i n g , p e r m i t a n d a l l o w u s to s p e a k o f t h e s i g n s a c c o m p a n y i n g y o u r c m c i f i x i o n , s i n c e w e h a v e b e e n a s k e d b y y o u r n a m e to r e l a t e t h e m to t h e p e o p l e . F o r y o u y o u r s e l f , O L o r d , a l r e a d y o r d e r e d u s , y o u r s e r v a n t s , in o u r l a n d to tell p e o p l e o f y o u r d i v i n e g l o r y . T h e r e f o r e , b e l o v e d k i n s f o l k , listen to u s a s w e r e l a t e t i d i n g s to y o u in o u r o w n way. A s w e w e r e in the c o m p a n y of o u r fathers a n d m o t h e r s i n the d e p t h s o f hell, a golden ray of sun suddenly illuminated the majestic great p r i s o n a r o u n d u s , s o t h a t w e c o u l d all s e e e a c h o t h e r c l e a r l y . T h e n o u r f a t h e r A d a m r o s e , a l o n g w i t h all t h e p a t r i a r c h s a n d p r o p h e t s , a n d t h e y r e j o i c e d g r e a t l y . T h e y s a i d : " T h e light g i v e s rise to t h e e t e r n a l l i g h t which our o w n everlasting luminary, the Heavenly Father, promised to send lo our assistance". T h e n Isaiah son o f A m o s , chief e m i n e n t p r o p h e t a m o n g s t the p r o p h e t s , r o s e a n d s a i d in a l o u d v o i c e : " T h i s l i g h t i s t h e l i g h t o f t h e s o n o f the H e a v e n l y Father, as I told y o u o n c e u p o n a time w h e n 1 w a s alive, p r o c l a i m i n g t h e s e w o r d s to y o u : ' T h e p e o p l e w h o a r e in d a r k n e s s will s e e a g r e a t light, a n d t h o s e u n d e r t h e s w a y a n d s h a d o w o f d e a t h will ha v e a great brightness s h i n e o n t h e m " . A n d y o u see that m y p r o p h e c y h a s n o w c o m e t r u e . F o r n o w t h e e v e r i a s t i n g light c o m e s to u s h e r e in the gloom of death".

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As w e w e r e discussing this, the noble ancestor S i m e o n rose a n d said: " B e l o v e d p e o p l e , g l o r i f y y o u r l o r d , J e s u s C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e li vi n g G o d , f o r o n c e , w h e n i w a s a l i v e , I t o o k h i m a s a n i n f a n t in m y a r m s in t h e temple, a n d , p r o m p t e d b y the H o l y S p i r i t , ! said; " O Lord, accept m y s p i r i t , for n o w m y e y e s h a v e s e e n y o u r s a l v a t i o n , t h e s a l v a t i o n y o u h a v e p r e p a r e d f o r t h e w h o l e p e o p l e . H e i s a light a n d a g l o r y t o all t h e p e o p l e o f I s r a e l " A n d that light w h i c h y o u n o w s e e is t h e l i g h t o f j e s u s C h r i s t , s o n of t h e l i v i n g G o d " . W h i l e S i m e o n w a s saying this, a m a n rose up, resplendent like a ray o f s u n . H e w a s u n k n o w n to a l l , a n d t h e w h o l e p e o p l e a s k e d h i m : " W h o are y o u ? " H e answered them, saying: "I a m John, the voice a n d p r o p h e t o f J e s u s C h r i s t , s o n of t h e l i v i n g G o d . M y m o t h e r w a s pregi\ant w i t h m e w h i l e h i s m o t h e r w a s c a r r y i n g m y L o r d . H i s m o t h e r w a s Mary, a n d m y mother w a s Elizabeth. W h e n M a r y approached, while I w a s i n m y m o t h e r ' s w o m b i said: " T h i s i s the L a m b of G o d , w h o t a k e s a w a y the sin of the w o r l d " . Later I baptized h i m with m y o w n h a n d s i n t h e river J o r d a n , a n d a f t e r t h e b a p t i s m I s a w t h e H o l y S p i r i t d e s c e n d in t h e f o r m o f a d o v e o v e r h i s h e a d , a n d I h e a r d a v o i c e f r o m h e a v e n s a y i n g : " T h i s is m y b e l o v e d s o n i n w h o m I a m w e l l p l e a s e d " . A n d I h a v e c o m e to y o u to tell y o u t h a t h e c o m e s n o w t o find y o u , to deliver y o u f r o m the d a r k n e s s in w h i c h y o u exist".

ni(XiX) N o w , w h e n John the Baptist had said this, the noble pre-eminent p a r e n t , o u r f a t h e r A d a m , r o s e a n d c r i e d o u t in a l o u d v o i c e : " B e l o v e d s o n , S e t h , tell y o u r o w n s o n s a n d y o u r f a m i l y , t h a t i s , t h e p a t r i a r c h s a n d prophets, what you heard from the Archangel Michael w h e n I s e n t y o u t o t h e g a t e s o f P a r a d i s e t o a s k G o d to s e n d h i s o w n a n g e l to m e w i t h t h e oil o f t h e t r e e o f m e r c y to a n o i n t m y b o d y i n m y i l l n e s s " . Seth rose a n d answered; "Beloved father, I w a s praying at the g a t e s o f P a r a d i s e a s y o u told m e , w h e n I s a w Michael the Archangel a p p r o a c h m e , a n d h e s a i d to m e ; " I w a s s e n t f r o m m y L o r d to s p e a k to y o u , S e t h . D o n o t e x p e n d a n y m o r e t e a r s o r p r a y e r s b e s e e c h i n g G o d for oil f r o m t h e t r e e o f m e r c y to a n o i n t y o u r f a t h e r , for it c a n n o t b e h a d o n t h i s o c c a s i o n , n o r c a n a n y o n e e l s e r e c e i v e t h a t oil until t h e e n d o f t h e time w h e n five thousand and ninety-nine years years are completed".

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" T h e n the beloved son o f the Heavenly Father, J e s u s Christ, son o f the l i v i n g G o d , will c o m e , a n d will r e v i v e t h e b o d y o f A d a m , a l o n g . w i t h t h e b o d i e s o f m a n y o t h e r s a m o n g the d e a d . H e will b a p t i z e h i m in t h e river J o r d a n , a n d a f t e r t h e b a p t i s m h e will h i m s e l f b r i n g the oil o f t h e t r e e o f m e r c y to all t h o s e w h o b e l i e v e in h i m . H e will g r a n t e t e r n a l l i f e to e v e r y o n e b a p t i z e d in h i s n a m e , a n d in t h e n a m e o f t h e H o l y S p i r i t , a n d h e will b r i n g y o u r f a t h e r , A d a m , w i t h h i m i n t o P a r a d i s e , w h e r e the tree of m e r c y stands".

IV(XX) W h e n t h e p a t r i a r c h s a n d p r o p h e t s , a n d all t h e o t h e r h o l y p e o p l e , h e a r d this they rejoiced greatly. T h e n Satanus, the m a s t e r a n d lord o f death a n d Hell r o s e , a n d s a i d to H e l l a n d i t s o f f i c i a l s : " P r e p a r e y o u r s e l f t o accept the soul o f Jesus, h e w h o h a s been glorifying himself lately in t h e w o r l d a s t h e s o n o f G o d , t h o u g h h e w a s h u m a n , a n d in f e a r o f d e a t h . F o r b e f o r e h i s c r u c i f i x i o n , in m y o w n p r e s e n c e , h e s a i d : " M y s o u l is s o r r o w f u l f a c i n g d e a t h " . S a t a n c o n t i n u e d : " G r e a t is t h e a m o u n t o f h a r m d o n e m e b y J e s u s , a n d I o r d e r t h a t h e b e p u n i s h e d f o r it. F o r there were m a n y people w h o m 1 blinded, and others w h o m I m a d e l a m e a n d b e n t , a n d m o r e w h o m 1 m a d e l e p e r s in t h e w o r l d , a n d J t s u s h e a l e d t h e m all w i t h o u t f a t i g u e o r l a b o u r , s i m p l y w i t h w o r d s . M o r e o v e r , t h e r e a r e s o u l s o f d e a d p e o p l e w h o m I b r o u g h t to y o u to t o r t u r e , a n d he d r a p e d them back to their o w n bodies, a n d revived them in turn". T h e n H e l l r e p l i e d to Satan, the leader of the d e m o n s : " W h o is thisgreat p o w o - f u i m a n w h o is f e a r f u l o f d e a t h , d e s p i t e h a v i n g s u c h p o w e r s ? F o r e v e r y p o w e r f u l o n e e v e r to c o m e i n t o t h e w o r l d i s in m y g r a s p , h a v i n g b e e n b r o u g h t to m e b y y o u , t h r o u g h y o u r o w n p o w e r . T h a t b e i n g s o , w h e r e has y o u r p o w e r g o n e , since J e s u s , w h o w a s fearful o f d e a t h , is a b l e to w i t h s t a n d d e a t h ? I tell y o u t r u l y , if h e h a s t h a t a m o u n t o f p o w e r in h i s h u m a n f o r m , s o m u c h t h e g r e a t e r i s h i s p o w e r in h i s divinity, and there is n o b o d y able to withstand his might. H e could take you b y force, a n d could cause you w o e forever". Satanus, lord o f Hell, answered: " W h a t doubt and fear seizes you about receiving this adversary into y o u r grasp? For I attacked him on earth, inciting the m i n d o f the Jewish people to anger and envy against him, and I thrust

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a s p e a r i n t o h i s s i d e a n d p i e r c e d it. 1 a l s o m i x e d gall a n d v i n e g a r , a n d g a v e h i m a d r i n k o f it, a n d ! p r e p a r e d a c r o s s f o r h i m o n w h i c h h e w a s h u n g . H e is still o n t h e c r o s s , a n d h i s d e a t h d r a w s n e a r . O n c e h i s spirit d e p a r t s f r o m h i m I will b r i n g h i m l o y o u to p u n i s h a n d t o r t u r e h i m " . 3

H e l l r e p l i e d , a n d s a i d ; " Y o u t o l d m e , O S a t a n , t h a t h e is t h e o n e w h o dragged souls of the d e a d from m y p o w e r a n d grasp. I have m a n y p e o p l e h e r e w h o m h e s u m m o n e d . H e is s o m e o n e w h o , w h i l e a l i v e in t h e w o r l d , r e l e a s e d p e o p l e f r o m d e a t h , not b y h i s o w n p o w e r , b u t b y h i s p r a y e r s to h e a v e n a n d to G o d . J e s u s , t h e n , w i t h o u t a s s i s t a n c e o r help, but b y word alone, brought the dead out of m y clutches. I w ^ o b l i g e d t o let o u t t h e s o u l o f L a z a r u s , t h o u g h h i s b o d y h a d b e e n d e c a y i n g in t h e g r a v e for t h r e e d a y s a n d t h r e e n i g h t s , b e c a u s e o f a single word of c o m m a n d . F o r when thesoul of Lazarus heard Jesussay o v e r his grave; " A r i s e , L a z a r u s " , Lazarus bestirred himself, and leapt u p i n s w i f t f l i g h t , a n d n e i t h e r I n o r m y h o u s e h o l d w e r e a b l e to o p p o s e t u m , s o t h a t h e r e t u r n e d to h i s e a r t h l y b o d y a g a i n " . " W h e n ! h e a r d t h e c o m m a n d o f t h e w o r d of Jesus, 1 w a s trembling and shaking with fear a n d t e r r o r b e f o r e t h a t v o i c e . N o w I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t h e w h o d i d that d e e d is a l m i g h t y , a n d I b e s e e c h y o u , O m l e r o f Hell, b y that great p o w e r w h i c h I k n o w y o u to w i e l d , t h a t y o u will n o t a l l o w t h e o n e w h o p e r f o r m e d t h a t d e e d l o c o m e to m e l o m y d w e l l i n g . F o r if h e s h o u l d c o m e , w e w o u l d b e r e d u c e d to s u b j e c t i o n to h i m f o r e v e r a f t e r , a n d all the p e o p l e w h o m I h a v e in b o n d a g e a n d captivity h e r e , h e will free t h e m a l l , a n d will t a k e t h e m w i t h h i m t o d i v i n e l i f e " .

V(XXI) W h i l e Hell and Satanus were thus conversing, they heard a voice like t h u n d e r o r l i k e a s u p e r n a t u r a l c l a m o u r at t h e e n t r a n c e to H e l l . It s a i d : " O p e n y o u r g a t e s , a n d b r e a k t h e l o c k s , so that t h e K i n g o f g l o r y m a y enter". W h e n Hell heard that voice, it cried out in a loud voice: " O S a t a n u s , d e p a r t a n d l e a v e m y h o u s e h o l d to m e , a n d if y o u b e a p o w e r f u l w a r r i o r , g o a n d fight n o w a g a i n s t t h e K i n g o f g l o r y , a n d d o n o t a l l o w h i m to d e f e a t y o u , o r to d e f e a t u s " . A t t h a t . Hell t h r u s t S a t a n o u t p a s t t h e g a t e s , a n d told hisofficials; " S h u t y o u r stout b r o n z e g a t e s , a n d strengthen t h e m with iron locks, a n d k e e p a strongly-armed w a t c h f o r t h e r a i d e r w h o is c o m i n g to b r i n g y o u i n t o s u b j e c t i o n

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forever". 2

T h e saints, a n d the noble prophet D a v i d , heard that conversation, a n d D a v i d r o s e a n d s a i d : "I f o r e t o l d t h e s e w o r d s to y o u a t t h e t i m e w h e n I d w e l t in t h e w o r l d : " H e is t h e o n e a g a i n s t w h o m b r o n z e d o o r s a n d i r o n l o c k s d o n o t p r e v a i l , c o m i n g to assist t h e p e o p l e w h o a r e in d a r k n e s s " . T h e n I s a i a h s o n o f A m o s r o s e , a n d s a i d : "I p r o p h e s i e d t h i s w h e n 1 w a s a l i v e ; " T h i s is t h e y o u n g m a n w h o will b e c a l l e d E m m a n u e l . . . H e will b e a b l e to d e f e a t evil a n d e x a l t g o o d , a n d t h e g a t e s o f Hell shall not prevail against him- After his resurrection, the d e a d in the g r a v e s will arise with h i m , o n c e they taste of the d r o p w h i c h b r i n g s them salvation, namely, jesus Christ".

3

W h e n all t h e b l e s s e d o n e s h e a r d t h a t , t h e y s a i d to H e l l : " O p e n y o u r gates, for y o u r p o w e r has been taken from y o u , and you have b e e n v a n q u i s h e d " . T h e n they h e a r d the l o u d voice like t h u n d e r outside the entrance, saying: " O p e n y o u r gates for the King o f glory to enter". W h e n H e l l p e r c e i v e d t h a t v o i c e a g a i n a t t h e g a t e , it s a i d , a s it d i d not k n o w : " W h o s e is the voice seeking entrance?" The prophet David replied, saying; "I recognize the voice at the gate, for I prophesied a b o u t it b y t h e g r a c e o f t h e H o l y S p i r i t w h e n I w a s a l i v e , a s I a l r e a d y t o l d y o u . I d e c l a r e n o w tt\at it i s the L o r d a n d K i n g o f g l o r y w h o i s at the g a t e , the son o f the Heavenly Father w h o c a m e of his o w n accord f r o m t h e h e a v e n l y d w e l l i n g in t h e f o r m o f h i s o w n s e r v a n t s , i n h u m i l i t y a n d m o d e s t y , t o listen to y o u r m e a n s p e e c h e s , y o u r c o m plaints and m o a n s a n d illnesses, those o f y o u r o w n people, and those o f u s w h o a r e in y o u r c o m p a n y , h e l d in c a p t i v i t y b y S a t a n u s . T h e r e fore, O depressing, foul, dark, dismal Hell, open u p y o u r gates so that t h e k i n g o f g l o r y m a y e n t e r " . A f t e r D a v i d h a d s a i d this, t h e g a t e s o p e n e d on theirown, the locks shattered,and the K i n g o f glory entered in h u m a n f o r m a n d a p p e a r a n c e .

VKXXIl) T h e p l a c e w h i c h n e v e r b e f o r e w a s lit b e c a m e b r i g h t , a n d t h e b o n d s o f i n h e r e n t d e a t h , t h a t i s , o f H e l l , w e r e b r o k e n . H e l l w a s s t a r t l e d to s e e t h e s e s i g n s , a n d w a s left w i t h o u t s t r e n g t h o r p o w e r . W h e n t h e o f f i c e r s o f H e l l s a w t h a t J e s u s C h r i s t w a s in t h e i r d w e l l i n g , a n d b r i g h t l i g h t to

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a n d fro t h r o u g h o u t H e l l , s o m e t h i n g w h i c h t h e y h a d n e v e r b e f o r e experienced, they cried out, saying loudly: " W h o are you, w h o has s h o w n g r e a t o f f e n c e t o u s , a n d to o u r p o w e r s ? W h o a r e y o u , w h o a r e so great a n d mighty, h u m b l e , a n d like an e m p e r o r , a fighting m a n a n d l i k e a k n i g h t , w o n d e r w o r k i n g , a n d in t h e f o r m o f a s e r v a n t , y o u w h o are K i n g o f glory over the l i v i n g a n d t h e d e a d ? " "It surprises usgreatly that y o u should h a v e been crucified, that you should die, a n d b e b u r i e d , a n d t h a t y o u n o w c o m e a l i v e to u s . Y o u h a d c h a n g e d c o l o u r a s all c r e a t u r e s d o a t d e a t h . N o t o n l y t h a t , b u t the s t a r s a n d c o n s t e l l a t i o n s c o m m i n g l e d , a n d the earth shook when you died. A n d n o w y o u are a m o n g the d e a d , and y o u are alive in o u r midst. Yo u harassed o u r l e g i o r ^ , a n d o v e r c a m e o u r p o w e r s , s o t h a t w e c a n s c a r c e l y t a l k to y o u . It is g r e a t a u d a c i t y o n y o u r p a r t t h a t y o u a r e s u m m o n i n g , a n d t a k i n g w i t h y o u to t h e p l a c e o f a n c e s t r a l freedom, t h o s e w h o a r e h e l d in c a p t i v i t y a n d b o n d a g e b y u s , a s a r e s u l t of t h e o r i g i n a l s i n o f A d a m a n d Eve. W h o are y o u , before w h o m o u r darkness refreated?. You shone the radiant eternal light on the blind w h o w e r e o u r captives, so that t h e y s e e e a c h o t h e r , a n d s e e u s , a n d s e e y o u r s e l f b e s i d e s " . T h e n all t h e legions of demonsgrewfearfui,and t h e y c r i e d o u t i n a s i n g l e w a i l , a n d w i t h o n e v o i c e : " W h e r e h a v e y o u c o m e from, O s f r o n g r e s p l e n d e n t J e s u s , full o f g l o r y a n d b r i g h t n e s s , w i t h o u t fault o r s i n ? A l a s f o r u s t o b e l i k e t h i s , f o r until n o w t h e e a r t h l y w o r l d , f r o m w h i c h y o u c a m e l o us, w a s u n d e r o u r d o m i n a t i o n . N o d e a d person like y o u w a s e v e r b r o u g h t to u s b e f o r e , f o r all t h e d e a d w h o c a m e t o u s u p to n o w w e r e in t e r r o r o f u s , b u t w e a r e i n f e a r a n d a p p r e h e n s i o n o f y o u . T h e r e f o r e , w h o a r e y o u , y o u w h o h a v e c o m e in t i n u d a t i n g l y , a n d w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n , to o u r t e r r i t o r i e s a n d a n c e s f r a l h o m e ? . Y o u a r e n o t a f r a i d o f o u r t o r t u r e o r o u r p u n i s h m e n t . N o t o n l y that, b u t y o u a r e s e e k i n g t o b r i n g o u r p r i s o n e r s a n d c a p t i v e s w i t h y o u to e t e r n a l g l o r y . It a p p e a r s that y o u are the o n e G o d of w h o m o u r leader, Satanus, spoke, saying that, through the o u t c o m e o f the crucifixion, you would draw the p o w e r of all t h e w o r l d to y o u r s e l f " . 2

T h e n t h e K i n g o f g l o r y s u p p r e s s e d d e a t h b e n e a t h h i s feet.

VIKXXIII) 1

H e seized Satanus, the leader of Hell, b o u n d h i m , and cast h i m d o w n

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lo the depths of Hell. Thereafter Hell received Satanus, a n d proceeded to r e b u k e h i m g r e a t l y , s a y i n g to h i m : " O c h i e f o f d e s t r u c t i o n , l o r d o f immoderation, foe of the angels, antagonist of truth and of the righteous, h o w did you allow, a n d h o w did you contemplate letting the K i n g o f glory b e crucified? W h y did you promise us his soul thereafter to t o r t u r e , a n d m u c h m o r e b e s i d e s ? " " Y o u l a c k e d k n o w l e d g e l i k e o n e u n l e a r n e d . L o o k h o w y o u fulfil w h a t y o u p r o m i s e d . D o y o u s e e J e s u s n o w , c l e a r l y h a v i n g b a n i s h e d all t h e d a r k n e s s o f Hell b y h i s o w n b r i g h t n e ^ ? H e b r o k e all b o n d s , r e l e a s i n g all t h o s e w h o u p to n o w w e r e s u b j e c t to u s , in l a m e n t a t i o n a n d g r o a n i n g . T h e s e a r e n o w d e r i d i n g u s . N o t o n l y t h a t , b u t t h e h u m a n r a c e n o w n o l o n g e r feare u s . R a t h e r , it is t h r e a t e n i n g u s . T h u s , O lord o f all e v i l , d e s e r t e r o f e t e r n a l light, w h y h a s this h a p p e n e d through y o u r a g e n c y ? W h y d i d y o u a l l o w t h e m to b e g i v e n t h i s c a u s e for p r i d e ? S e e n o w t h o s e w h o from the beginning o f the world to the present had no expectation o f s a l v a t i o n o r l i f e , a n d n o c r y o r s o r r o w o r l a m e n t a t i o n is h e a r d from t h e m n o w . M o r e o v e r , n o frace o f t e a r o r s a d n e s s a p p e a r s o n t h e i r faces". " O Satanus, O chief of destruction, and possessor of malediction, you w e r e not l o n g w a s t i n g t h e r e s o u r c e s o f H e l l , t h e g r e a t s t o r e w h i c h y o u b r o u g h t w i t h y o u t h r o u g h t h e s e i z u r e o f t h e free o f life in P a r a d i s e , w h e n you urged the crucifixion without reason of Jesus Christ on the free o f t h e c r o s s . N o w y o u r h a p p i n e ^ h a s e n d e d , a n d y o u r s a d n e s s a n d g r i e f h a s b e g u n f o r e t e r n i t y . N o w y o u will u n d e r s t a n d h o w m u c h t o r t u r e a n d v a r i o u s p a i n s y o u will s u f f e r in m y c l u t c h e s f r o m h e n c e f o r t h until D o o m s d a y " . H e l l s a i d f u r t h e r m o r e to S a t a n u s : " O i n s t i g a t o r o f d e a t h , f o u n t o f p r i d e , y o u w e r e e n t i t l e d to a s k f o r a c a u s e o r r e a s o n w h y J e s u s d e s e r v e d to b e c r u c i f i e d , a n d w h e n y o u f o u n d n o n e , w h y d i d y o u a l l o w h i m to b e u n r i g h t e o u s l y c r u c i f i e d , w i t h o u t c r i m e o r justification for p u n i s h m e n t ? A s a result o f this, both w e , a n d yourself have been sent asfray forever". A f t e r t h a t s p e e c h of Hell to S a t a n u s , J e s u s C h r i s t , K i n g o f g l o r y , s p o k e to Hell: "I give y o u authority over the devils, Satan under y o u r c o m m a n d a n d p o w e r f o r e v e r , in p l a c e o f A d a m a n d h i s righteous d e s c e n d a n t s w h o m 1 will b r i n g w i t h m e n o w to m y o w n k i n g d o m " .

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VIIKXXiV) 1

T h e n h e s t r e t c h e d o u t h i s h a n d , a n d s a i d ; " C o m e to m e , b e l o v e d h o l y ones, w h o bear m y own imageand likeness. Foryou were condemned because of a tree, and because of the devil. And you have been saved b e c a u s e of a tree, a n d b e c a u s e o f m e " . H e took A d a m b y the right h a n d , a n d s a i d to h i m : ' T e a c e to y o u , a n d to all y o u r r i g h t e o u s d e s c e n d a n t s . W h e n I c r e a t e d y o u , 1 d i d not i n t e n d y o u to b e in t h i s d w e l l i n g . C o m e w i t h m e n o w to m y o w n k i n g d o m , f o r y o u a r e o f m y b o d y a n d m y b l o o d " . T h e n A d a m b o w e d his head before the k n e e of his L o r d , a n d h e g a v e liberal s p o n t a n e o u s t h a n k s , s a y i n g in a l o u d v o i c e , " I t h a n k you, O Lord, who has saved m e from my enemies, my God and m y L o r d , G o d o f m y s a l v a t i o n , G o d o f m y life. I c r i e d o u t t o y o u , a n d y o u s a v e d m e , b r i n g i n g m y s o u l o u t of H e l l , f r o m t h e t a l o n s o f t h e D e v i l . Y o u f r e e d m e f r o m t h o s e w h o fell i n t h e m i r e . C o m e y e h o l y a n d j u s t p e o p l e , a n d r e n d e r t h a n k s to y o u r G o d a n d L o r d f o r l i b e r a t i n g y o u f r o m t h e g r e a t c a p t i v i t y i n w h i c h y o u l a n g u i s h e d " . T h e n all t h e b l e s s e d k n e l t d o w n at t h e feet o f t h e L o r d , a n d s a i d a l o u d ; " O r e d e e m e r a n d saviour o f the world, what y o u promised through the law a n d the p r o p h e t s y o u h a v e f u l f i l l e d . Y o u h a v e p u r c h a s e d life t h r o u g h y o u r crucifixion, and y o u have c o m e because of your h o n o u r from a cross o f c r u c i f i x i o n to u s to s a v e u s f r o m t h e d e p t h s o f H e l l , a n d f r o m d e a t h . As y o u claimed y o u r g l o r y in heaven, y o u reached out with a cross on earth. O Lord, place the sign of the cross on A d a m , a n d o n his descendants".

2

T h e n h e t o o k A d a m ' s h a n d , a n d b r o u g h t h i m o u t o f H e l l , a n d all t h e blessed followed. Thereupon David cried out with a loud voice: " O h o l y a n d r i g h t e o u s p e o p l e , s i n g o u t r o u s i n g m u s i c a n d h a r m o n y to y o u r L o r d , with the choral s o n g of archangels, to the one w h o perf o r m e d g r e a t m i r a c l e s for y o u , f o r h i s h a n d h a s s a v e d y o u , o n o b l e faithful". All the blessed responded that they g a v e glory, h o n o u r , and m a g n i f i c a t i o n to t h e i r L o r d , a s t h e y s a i d "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia".

3

T h e n a h o l y p r o p h e t , H a b a k k u k , r o s e a n d s a i d : "1 t h a n k y o u , O L o r d , f o r h a v i n g c o m e t o s a v e t h e p e o p l e , a n d to f r e e u s f r o m o u r d a r k n e s s " . T h e p r o p h e t Isaiah rose then, a n d cried aloud; " O L o r d , w h a t k i n g or g o d is l i k e y o u , w h o c o u l d d o w h a t y o u h a v e d o n e , to t a k e a w a y o u r s i n s a n d o u r u n r i g h t e o u s n e s s , a n d to s a v e u s f r o m t h e g r a s p o f t h e

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D e v i l , a s y o u o n c e p r o m i s e d o u r f o r e f a t h e r s in d a y s o f y o r e " . All t h e b l e s s e d r e p l i e d , s a y i n g : " H e is o u r G o d a n d o u r L o r d w h o will g o v e r n u s f o r e v e r " . A n d all t h e p r o p h e t s in t u m c r i e d o u t v e r y l o u d l y in t h i s manner.

IX(XXV) T h e n j e s u s C h r i s t p l a c e d A d a m ' s h a n d in t h e h a n d o f t h e A r c h a n g e l M i c h a e l , a n d s a i d to h i m : " T a k e A d a m , w i t h all h i s righteous d e s c e n d a n t s , to P a r a d i s e . I a m g o i n g t o a s s u m e m y b o d y , s o that 1 m a y g o i n b o d i l y f o r m to h e a v e n " . T h e r e a f t e r , t h e A r c h a n g e l M i c h a e l , w i t h t h e h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s , t h e s a i n t s , a n d t h e j u s t , c a m e t o t h e g a t e of Paradise. T h e y met there with t w o noble a g e d m e n , o f patriarchal a n d s a i n t l y a p p e a r a n c e . T h e s e g a v e a g r e a t w e l c o m e to t h e h o s t w h i c h t h e y s a w arrive. A d a m and his descendants asked them: " W h o are you two, w h o h a v e n o t b e e n w i t h u s u p to n o w , y o u w h o a r e b o d i l y i n Paradise?" T h e two responded, and one of them said: "I a m Enoch, w h o , by the word of G o d m y lord, has been brought here for as long a s I l i v e . H e r e w i t h m e is t h e p r o p h e t E l i j a h , w h o , b y t h e w o r d s o f t h e L o r d , w a s b r o u g h t h e r e i n a fiery c h a r i o t . W e h a v e n o t t a s t e d d e a t h to t h e p r e s e n t d a y , n o r will w e , until A n t i c h r i s t c o m e s a t t h e e n d o f t h e w o r l d , w h e n w e h a v e to g o to J e r u s a l e m to fight a g a i n s t h i m . W e will kill h i m t h e r e , a n d t h r e e d a y s a f t e r w a r d s w e will b e b r o u g h t a l i v e , in o u r b o d i e s , to P a r a d i s e a m o n g t h e c l o u d s o f h e a v e n " .

X(XXVl) While the host was there, they saw a certain dark, ugly i m a g e a p p r o a c h t h e m wi th t h e s i g n o f t h e h o l y c r o s s o n its s h o u l d e r - b l a d e s . T h e b l e s s e d l o o k e d at h i m , a n d a s k e d : " W h o is t h i s , f o r a s w e l o o k a t h i m , h i s a p p e a r a n c e a p p e a r s to u s to b e t h a t o f r o b b e r ? H o w is it that t h e sign of the holy cross is on his shoulders?" H e answered and told t h e m : " I t is t r u e t h a t I a m a t h i e f , f o r e v e r y evil w h i c h I c o u l d h a v e d o n e on earth I did, a n d the J e w s cmcified m e along with Jesus Christ. T h e n I s a w the great miracle performed instantly on earth through his c m c i f i x i o n . I b e l i e v e d that h e w a s t h e c r e a t o r o f all t h e e l e m e n t s , t h e almighty High-King, and 1 beseeched him; " R e m e m b e r me, O Lord,

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w h e n you c o m e to your k i n g d o m " . H e accepted m y prayer, a n d said to m e : "I tell y o u t r u l y , t o d a y y o u w i l l b e w i t h m e i n P a r a d i s e " . A n d a f t e r h e h a d s a i d t h i s , h i s spirit d e p a r t e d f r o m h i m , a n d m y s o u l left m e . H e w e n t to Hell to fetch y o u , a n d t o l d m e to g o b e f o r e h i m to Paradise. H e put the sign of the cross on m y shoulder-blades, saying to m e : " G o to P a r a d i s e , a n d if t h e a n g e l g u a r d i n g P a r a d i s e will n o t let y o u i n , s h o w t h a t s i g n o f the c r o s s t o h i m , a n d s a y to h i m that it w a s J e s u s C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e li v i n g G o d , w h o w a s c r u c i f i e d b y t h e J e w s , w h o s e n t y o u a h e a d o f h i m s e l f . " A n d w h e n I s a i d t h i s to t h e a n g e l guarding Paradise, h e w e l c o m e d m e warmly, a n d placed m e in the m i d s t o f e t e r n a l life in P a r a d i s e . A n d h e t o l d m e : " W a i t a w h i l e , a n d s o o n y o u will s e e y o u r g r e a t f o r e f a t h e r , A d a m , a p p r o a c h y o u , w i t h all h i s j u s t d e s c e n d a n t s , t o b e i n e t e r n a l l i f e f o r e v e r " . W h e n all t h e patriarchs, prophets, a n d holy o n e s heard those w o r d s o f the thief, they called out joyfully in unison, a n d said: "Blessed b e o u r a l m i g h t y Lord, father of eternal lightand of mercy, w h o b e s t o wed t h i s g r a c e a n d c l e m e n c y o n h i s s i n n e r s , a n d b r o u g h t t h e m f r o m t h e s t a r v a t i o n o f Hell to h i s r e s t i n g p l a c e s t o c o n s u m e t h e f o o d o f P a r a d i s e w i t h o u t c e a s e , eternally. From him w e receive glory and honour forever".

XKXXVII) " O beloved people", said Carinus a n d Leuicius (for these w e r e the godly sanctified witnesses w h o m w e heard), " W e d o not venture to tell y o u a n y m o r e o f t h e t i d i n g s o f t h e K i n g o f h e a v e n a n d e a r t h , f o r M i d i a e l t h e a r c h a n g e l told u s w h e n w e rose from the d e a d : " G o a h e a d l o y o u r k i n s m e n t o J e r u s a l e m , a n d p r o c l a i m to t h e m t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n o f o u r Lord JesusChrist, son o f t h e living G o d , he w h o has revived y o u , a n d m a n y p e o p l e b e s i d e s , a n d s a i n t s a l s o . D o not s p e a k to a n y o n e , a n d b e l i k e t h e d e a d , a n d r e m a i n d u m b until t h e o c c a s i o n w h e n y o u will b e p e r m i t t e d to tell t h e b l e s s e d s t o r y o f t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n " . " A n d t h u s w e were, when w e s a w you approach, and you asked us to relate t i d i n g s o f t h e r e s u r r e c t i o n to y o u . W e p r a y e d to G o d t h a t h e w o u l d p e r m i t u s , a n d h e d i d s o , a n d w e t o l d y o u w h a t y o u h a v e h e a r d u p to t h e p r e s e n t . N o w , t h e A r c h a n g e l M i c h a e l h a s c o m e to u s to t a k e u s t o b e b a p t i z e d in t h e river J o r d a n , a n d t h e r e a f t e r to p l a c e u s i n the c o m p a n y o f m a n y others o f o u r kin w h o rose from the d e a d a l o n g with u s , a n d t o b r i n g u s i n t o t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e r i s e n C h r i s t , in t h e b e a u t i f u l , d e l i g h t f u l p l a c e w h e r e w e will b e , in o u r o w n b o d i e s , until D o o m s d a y .

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T h e n w e will g o , after the glorification of o u r bodies, into the p r e s e n c e o f G o d f o r all e t e r n i t y . N o w , b e l o v e d p e o p l e , p e a c e , c o n c o r d , l o v e , b r o t h e r h o o d , a n d belief in the Trinity b e a m o n g y o u f o r e v e r " . T h e r e a f t e r , all t h o s e w h o w e r e r e s u r r e c t e d w e n t w i t h M i c h a e l to t h e river Jordan, a n d they have not appeared since.

20. TEXTS RELATESTG TO THE BELOVED DISCIPLE 20 A. EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF JOHN, THE BELOVED DISCIPLE "Help me, O Creator, O Christ, O mighty Lord, angelic G o d the Father, without beginning or inception, without end or termination, without weariness or contempt, without fatigue or misfortune, O divine radiance, 0 son of the Virgin M a r y , 1 cry out clearly a n d constantly, a s s i s t m e in t h i s p e r i l , answer m e and help m e " . Thereafter, h e signed a n d blessed himself with the sign o f the cross, a n d h e d r a n k w h a t p o i s o n w a s i n the b e a u t i f u l g o l d e n c u p . A n d w h e n h e h a d f i n i s h e d d r i n k i n g h e s a i d : "1 p r a y y o u , O G o d , a l m i g h t y F a t h e r , a s s u m e i n t o faith a n d b e l i e f t h o s e f o r w h o s e s a k e I h a v e d r u n k t h i s " . T h e c r o w d s b e g a n to o b s e r v e h i m silently after he had c o n s u m e d the poisoned drink, and w h e n they saw no h a r m o r hurt being d o n e to h i m , t h e y all c r i e d o u t a l o u d w i t h p i e r c i n g s o u n d , p r a i s i n g G o d t h e C r e a t o r , a n d s a y i n g : ' T h e r e is n o G o d b u t t h e G o d w h o is w o r s h i p p e d b y John, the splendid apostle". A s for Aristodemus, h e did not believe, and the people proceeded to r e p r o a c h h i m o n a c c o u n t of t h e n o b l e o u t s t a n d i n g a p o s t l e . A n d A r i s t o d e m u s c a m e to t h e p l a c e w h e r e J o h n w a s , a n d said t o h i m : " l a m still d o u b t f u l a n d u n s u r e . If I w e r e to s e e d e a d p e o p l e b e i n g revi v e d in t h e n a m e o f y o u r G o d , t h e n all t h e u n c e r t a i n t y in m y h e a r t w o u l d d e p a r t " . T h e people responded to this, saying: " S h u t y o u r m o u t h , a n d c e a s e y o u r s p e e c h to t h e c o n s e c r a t e d a p o s t l e o f C h r i s t , o r e l s e y o u 89

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y o u r s e l f will b e b u r n e d , a l o n g w i t h y o u r h o u s e h o l d i n g a n d d w e l l ings". 5

6

W h e n J o h n h e a r d t h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n h e told t h e c r o w d s t o b e s i l e n t until h e himself should explain through the grace of the Holy Spirit and of di v i n e t e a c h i n g . . . c o n c e r n i n g h e a l i n g , c u r i n g f u l l y , a s d o g o o d p h y s i c i a n s in t h e c a s e o f g a l l o p i n g d i s e a s e s w h i c h a r e n o t r e l i e v e d w i t h o u t s u p r e m e skill in m e d i c a l s c i e n c e . T h e n J o h n r e p l i e d to A r i s t o d e m u s , giving h i m h i s b e a u t i f u l shining tunic, and saying: ' T a k e this,and put it o v e r t h e b o d i e s y o n d e r , a n d s a y T h e a p o s t l e o f C h r i s t s e n t m e to y o u w i t h h i s o w n t u n i c , to s a y to y o u : " A r i s e f r o m t h e d e a d , in o r d e r that all m a y u n d e r s t a n d t h a t d e a t h a n d life a r e in m y p o w e r , a n d in t h e p o w e r o f the Lord w h o m I reverence a n d entreat, Jesus Christ, son o f the living G o d " ' " . A r i s t o d e m u s did this, a n d w h e n h e h a d placed J o h n ' s tunic over the dead bodies before him, and had said over them the w o r d s told him by John, swiftly and speedily they rose from the d e a d , a n d w e n t j o y f u l l y to w h e r e J o h n w a s . T h e y b o w e d d o w n a n d p r o s t r a t e d t h e m s e l v e s o n t h e g r o u n d , a n d a s k e d h i m to b a p t i z e t h e m . Moreover, they related tidings of the time when they w e r e d e a d , that is t i d i n g o f t h e b r i g h t c i t y o f h e a v e n , a n d t i d i n ^ o f t h e m a n y m o n s t e r s a n d beasts o f hell. W h e n A r i s t o d e m u s h e a r d t h o s e s t o r i e s h e h u r r i e d to w h e r e t h e mighty proconsul was, and said these words loudly and with nobility: " C o m e , powerful consul. H u r r y joyfully with m e to t h e g r e a t h e a v e n l y a p o s t l e that we m a y be baptized. Let us foreswear zealously gods and base demons. Let u s f o l l o w C h r i s t l o v i n g l y . L e t u s a t o n e f o r o u r evil p r a c t i c e s . let u s a v o i d w o r l d l y d e l u s i o n s . Invoke, and again invoke t h e h e a v e n l y d w e l l i n g a n d its b r i g h t r e w a r d Come, consul" " W h a t are y o u saying concerning John n o w , O Aristodemus?", said

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the proconsul. " H e i s a god i n a h u m a n b o d y " , said A r i s t o d e m u s , " F o r the drink which he c o n s u m e d w o u l d h a v e killed worldly m e n w h o d r a n k it. W e r e it n o t that t h e p o w e r of t h e t r u e C o d p r o t e c t e d h i m , h e w o u l d h a v e d i e d . M o r e o v e r , in the c a s e o f t h e t w o w h o m t h e s a m e d r i n k k i l l e d , all I d i d w a s t o p l a c e J o h n ' s t u n i c o v e r t h e m , a n d t h e y arose completely well, without any sign o f death or distress o n them. Let u s go a n d seek his forgiveness for having often reviled, insulted, and shamed him, and barbarously discredited h i m " . T h e n t h e p r o c o n s u l a n d A r i s t o d e m u s c a m e to t h e fair a p o s t l e , J o h n . With their hosts a n d multitudes they cast themselves d o w n o n the g r o u n d before the apostle, a n d they asked forgiveness for their sins. H e b e g a n to p r a y f o r t h e m w i t h faith a n d m e r c y . A n d h e g a v e t h a n k s t o G o d t h a t s o m a n y p e o p l e h a d b e e n c a l l e d to G o d , a n d d e t a c h e d f r o m t h e d e v i l . H e told t h e m to s p e n d a w e e k m e d i t a t i n g o n the m a tier. T h i s t h e y d i d , a n d t h e r e a f t e r t h e y r e t u r n e d to J o h n , w h o b a p t i z e d t h e m a l l , w o m e n , boys, a n d children, princes, lords, and leaders, servants a n d attendants. T h e n i h e y h u r r i e d s w i f t l y a n d j o y f u l l y to t h e b a s e u n h o l y t e m p l e s wherein were their insubstantial unmerciful gods. And they s m a s h e d a n d b r o k e the d e m o n i c images, the strange idols, a n d the great i d o l a t r o u s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s , r e d u c i n g t h e m to d u s t . T h e y b u i l t a b e a u tiful l o f t y c h u r c h i n h o n o u r o f t h e e l o q u e n t b e l o v e d J o h n , w h e r e t h e m i g h t y Lord w a s honoured a n d served, and divine w o r s h i p has continued there to this present d a y . A n d archbishops, bishops, priests, a n d psalmists w e r e appointed throughout the whole C h u r c h at that time. O n o n e occasion, John rose, washed his hands and face, chanted the p s a l m s for t h e c a n o n i c a l h o u r , a n d e n t e r e d the c h u r c h f o r the s a c r i f i c e of Mass. A h a n d s o m e elegantly-attired priest called [SJEusisp rose, a n d placed about his neck a very beautiful amice, highly o r n a m e n t e d with golden thread. H e put on his b o d y a fine-textured tunic, a n d on h i s left wrist a beautiful gold-threaded m a n i p l e . He p u t on also a f i n e l y - e m b r o i d e r e d e m b o s s e d silk s t o l e , a n d , o v e r a l l , a w e l l - m a d e c h a s u b l e , b o r d e r e d w i t h g o l d e n c r o s s e s . H e p r o c e e d e d to c e l e b r a t e M a s s . J o h n o f t h e b r i g h t b l u e e y e s w a s p a y i n g c a r e f u l a t t e n t i o n to t h e sacrifice, a n d he perceived f r o m the beautiful divine host, a n d the

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chalice embellished with golden crosses, which were being held b y the p r i e s t S e u s i s p , that t h e l a t t e r h a d a h i d d e n s i n . 10

T h e r e u p o n John w e p t copiously a n d very sorrowhally, a n d h e b o w e d d o w n to the ground, saying: " O G o d who called us together, d o not r e p u d i a t e u s . O G o d w h o h e a l e d o u r d i s e a s e s a n d l o v e d u s , d o not repudiate us. O G o d w h o offered himself for us, d o not shun us once m o r e . I b e s e e c h y o u n o w , O G o d a n d Creator, Prince a n d L o r d , that y o u m a y cleanse the soul of that tonsured priest, Seusisp, from the d a r k n e s s o f evil t h o u g h t s , a n d f r o m the oppression of great sin w h i c h i s u p o n h i m . F o r h e is a s o n e w h o i s e n s n a r e d b y t h e d e v i l ' s n o o s e , s o t h a t h e is u n w o r t h y t o o f f e r s a c r i f i c e o r to s e r v e t h e m i g h t y L o r d " .

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W h e n the priest heard those holy consecrated w o r d s , h e a b a n d o n e d the sacrifice, fled from the temple, a n d began to bewail his sins b e f o r e G o d the Father, the Creator. Then the eloquent John rose a n d called B i r r o t h e d e a c o n , a n d s a i d to h i m : " G o t o t h e p l a c e w h e r e S e u i s p t h e p r i e s t i s , a n d tell h i m t o c o m e i n " . W h e n h e c a m e , h e c r i e d a l o u d , l a m e n t i n g h i s s i n s , a n d s a i d i n front o f a l l : " I i m p l o r e G o d s t e a d f a s t l y a n d f e r v e n t l y to w i p e o u t m y s i n s " . A n d h e k n e l t d o w n b e f o r e t h e m , and said these words: " D i s d p l e o f the Lord, ever-angelic John, a goodly, handsome-haired man, with bright blue eyes, r e d - c h e e k e d a n d fair o f f a c e , with g l e a m i n g teeth a n d d a r k b r o w s , red-lipped, white-throated, skilful a n d d e x t e r o u s , with supple lithe fingers, fair-sided, light-footed, noble, slender, and serene, distinguished, bright with holiness, friend of Christians, expeller o f the dark devil, G o d ' s fine disciple". G o d heard the prayer o f the priest a n d acted on his behalf. A n d J o h n

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the noble e v a n ^ l i s t took the offering o n c e more, a n d they sang the office a n d M a s s thereafter with lasting g o o d favour. 12

N o w there were very m a n y pious nuns, widows, a n d such holy p e r s o n s f o l l o w i n g J o h n , s p e n d i n g t h e i r l i v e s l i s t e n i n g to t h e s p l e n d i d s e r m o n s w h i c h h e u s e d to d e l i v e r t o t h e p e o p l e . A n d t h e y h a d n o l i v e l i h o o d o r s u b s t a n c e , p r o s p e r i t y o r riches, s a v e f o r w h a t e v e r a l m s John received from the Christians. T h e y complained constantly, and f o u n d fault o f t e n w i t h J o h n , b e c a u s e i n t h e i r e y e s , t h e a m o u n t o f g o o d s and alms which John got from the people was very ample and s u b s t a n t i a l , y e t thoir s h a r e o f it s e e m e d m e a g r e t o t h e m . T h e y s a i d ; " W h a t d o e s h e d o w i t h it, s i n c e w e d o n o t g e t it for f o o d a n d c l o t h i n g ? H e d e s i r e s that h e h i m s e l f b e rich, b u t t h a t w e s h o u l d b e p o o r " .

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J o h n heard this, yet he did not react with an a n g r y outburst or u n c o n t r o l l e d r a g e , b u t w e n t o n w i t h c a l m n e s s a n d c o m p o s u r e , until o n e d a y h e chanced to b e on a great wide bridge, w h e r e patient asses were d r a w i n g h o m e hay. John d r e w out a g o o d handful of the hay, a n d s a i d : " O G o d w h o m I t r u s t a n d f o l l o w , t u r n all o f t h i s i n to g o l d w i t h o u t d e l a y " . A n d J o h n s a i d to h i s c o m p a n i o n s : " C o u n t all t h e g o l d " . T h i s w a s d o n e , a n d t h e r e w a s f o u n d to b e a h u n d r e d s m o o t h r o d s o f beautiful burnished gold. John said: "Beloved children, take the gold t o t h e s m e l t e r s " . T h e y t o o k it to the n e a r e s t c r a f t s m a n , a n d it w a s p u t o v e r f i r e t o s m e l t a n d r e f i n e it. T h e y s a i d t h a t t h e y h a d n e v e r f o u n d f i n e r g o l d . T h e n t h e g o l d w a s h a n d e d to J o h n , w h o d r o p p e d it i n t o t h e deep waters and swift-flowing stream beneath the bridge. Everyone w a s astonished at this. J o h n said: "If I h a d w a n t e d unlimited g o l d a n d riches, I w o u l d h a v e r e c e i v e d t h e m f r o m t h e L o r d h i n ^ l f . B u t I f r e e l y p r e f e r to b e p o o r a n d l o w l y , for t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n b e l o n g s to t h e p o o r i n s p i r i t , a s t h e C r e a t o r h a s s a i d . A n d tell t h e h y p o c r i t i c a l w i d o w s t h a t t h e o n l y t h i n g I d o w i t h w h a t I r e c e i v e is t o g i v e it to t h e m , a n d t o other poor people. For the garment which 1 put on when I became an a p o s t l e o f m y L o r d is n o n e t h e w o r s e y e t , a s f a r a s its s h e e n a n d m a t e r i a l a n d b o r d e r is c o n c e r n e d , n o r a r e t h e s h o e s a n y t h e w o r s e , n o r will t h e y b e , a s l o n g a s 1 l i v e . M o r e o v e r , C h r i s t g r a n t e d t o u s a k n o w l e d g e of the seventy-two existing languages, so that w e u n d e r s t a n d t h e m a s well a s w e d o o u r m o t h e r - t o n g u e " .

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O n e d a y as John was travelling, h e s a w approaching a fully-armed

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s o l d i e r , r e a d y to kill h i m . W h e n h e w a s in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e a p o s t l e , the soldier said brutally a n d threateningly: " V e r y soon y o u will b e u n d e r m y c o n t r o l a n d p o w e r , a n d y o u will t>e killed w i t h f o r c e b y m e " . T h e r e u p o n John said; " M a y G o d extinguish your barbarous threat, y o u r p r i m e d futy, a n d yourself a l s o " . With that, the soldier i m m e d i a t e l y left t h e s p o t a n d v a n i s h e d , l i k e s m o k e v a n i s h e s f r o m a r e d - h o t fire, o r l i k e d u s t d i s a p p e a r s w i t h the w i n d . F o r it w a s t h e d e v i l w h o h a d c o m e in t h e f o r m o f a s o l d i e r to d o b a t t l e a g a i n s t J o h n , o n a c c o u n t o f J o h n ' s c o n v e r s i o n to C h r i s t i a n i t y o f m a n y p e o p l e w h o w i l l i n g l y served himself.

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" T h e n Christ sent the divine helper, the splendid holy angel Michael, to fight a g a i n s t a r r o g a n t A n t i c h r i s t a s h e h a d f o u g h t a g a i n s t L u c i f e r , A n d A n t i c h r i s t c a m e in t h e f o r m o f a d r a g o n to t h e s u n u n i t o f M o u n t G a r g a n u s to h a r m a n d a t t a c k t h e C h r i s t i a n s . B u t M i c h a e l k i l l e d t h e d r a g o n , a n d a s a r e s u l t , G o d a n d M i c h a e l w e r e g r e a t l y g l o r i f i e d in heaven and on earth".

3

' T h i s is t h e m a n n e r o f M i c h a e l ' s a p p e a r a n c e a s h e c o m e s to f i g h t A n t i c h r i s t . H e i s r a d i a n t , fair of c o u n l e n a n c e , r e d - c h e e k e d , w i t h g e n t l e steady long-lashed eyes, with eloquent red lips, a n d a white throat. H e is shining with zeal, light-footed, angry, furious, aggressive, with his beautiful four w i n g s spread a r o u n d h i m , with a protecting sharpe d g e d s p l e n d i d s h a r p o r n a m e n t e d s l e n d e r s w o r d f i r m l y in h i s s t r o n g h a n d , to s m i t e A n t i c h r i s t in a m a n n e r b e f i t t i n g a n o b l e a n g e l i c h e a v erJy personage".

4

" W i t h harshness, deep anger, bravery a n d strength, with s w i f m e s s a n d severity, strongly, fearlessly a n d terribly, h e strikes Antichrist o n the c r o w n of the h e a d , halving h i m on the spot in t w o splendid b r o a d h a l v e s f r o m t h e l o p o f h i s h e a d d o w n t o t h e g r o u n d . A n d that i s t h e evil s t r a n g e t a l e o f A n t i c h r i s t u p to t h e p r e s e n t , a s G o d c o n f i r m e d t o m e " , said John, the eloquent Beloved Disciple.

5

" T h e w o r l d will h a v e t h r e e y e a r s o f p e a c e " .

6

" A n d a f t e r all t h a t , t h e r e will b e a g r e a t s i l e n c e t h r o u g h t t h e w h o l e u n i v e r s e , s o that n e i t h e r t h e s o u n d o f t h e s e a , n o r t h e r o a r o f t h e w a v e , n o r the cry of the w i n d , nor bird-song, n o r the sound of any created thing in t h e w h o l e w o r l d will b e h e a r d f o r forty d a y s a n d f o r t y n i g h t s . T h e n t h e s i g n s o f D o o m s d a y w i l l a p p e a r , o n t h e fifteen d a y s b e f o r e t h e Judgement". 95

96

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" A f t e r t h e s e h a v e c o m e , f o u r a n g e l s rise u p f r o m t h e f o u r c a r d i n a l p o i n t s o f t h e w o r l d , a n d t h e y call o u t l o u d l y a n d i m p r e s s i v e l y : ' A r i s e ! Arise! Arise! A r i s e ! ' ".

8

" T h e n t h e b e a u t i f u l p u r e s o u l s o f h e a v e n a n d t h e m a n y evil s o u l s from hell will g o j o i n t l y w i t h t h e i r b o d i e s from t h e e a r t h l y g r a v e s i n w h i c h t h e y w e r e b u r i e d to t h e j u d g e m e n t o f D o o m s d a y " .

9

" A n d t h a t is a b r i e f a c c o u n t o f t h e e n d o f t h i s b a d w o r l d , a s w a s n a r r a t e d to m e b y t h e C r e a t o r , t h e g o o d L o r d " , s a i d J o h n , t h e b e l o v e d apostle.

10

T h e r e a f t e r J o h n s a i d to h i s d i s c i p l e s : " G o a n d m a k e a b u r i a l - p l a c e f o r m e in f r o n t o f t h e a l t a r . C a s t o u t t h e e a r t h f a r a w a y from it, a n d m a k e it v e r y d e e p " . T h i s w a s d o n e , a n d h e h i m s e l f w e n t i n t o it a n d l a y readily d o w n on the g r o u n d , a n d stretched u p his t w o h a n d s t o w a r d s the Creator, saying:

11

"I thank you, O Creator, Christ, the mighty Lord, great Heavenly Father, gentle soft-spoken brother, excellent noble teacher, who gently and lovingly calls m e to y o u r banquet, w h o well u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t I d e s i r e to g o t o b e w i t h y o u in y o u r k i n g d o m . Y o u perceive, O divine kinsman, h o w m y heart has loved y o u r truth a n d y o u r w o r d , loved to contemplate a n d look on y o u totally, I give you thanks".

12

" T h u s a m 1 " , s a y s J o h n , " l i k e o n e b e i n g r e v i v e d from d e a t h , o r b e i n g set f r e e from i m p r i s o n m e n t o r f r o m i l l n e s s , i n m y d e l i g h t a t s e e i n g y o u r radiant countenance. For your appearance i s fairer than every other, y o u r w o r d s are sweeter than delicate h o n e y - c o m b s , a n d y o u r

20

B. F R A G M E N T O F AN- A P O C A L Y P S E , A N D D E A T H O F J O H N

97

speech m o r e eloquent than the speech of majestic angels. F r o m early t i m e s I h a v e p r a y e d t o y o u to b r i n g m e f r o m t h i s w o r l d to y o u , a n d y o u told m e : 'Wait awhile, until y o u succour the people, a n d until they b e l i e v e d e v o u t l y in m e ' . I t h a n k y o u O h e a v e n l y F a t h e r , f o r y o u h a v e saved m y b o d y from every defilement, a n d saved m y soul from the seven sins, and y o u did not abandon m e when 1 w a s b e i n g denounced a n d b a n i s h e d , a n d in every other difficulty b e s i d e s " . 13

" Y o u g r a n t e d t h a t m y l i p s u t t e r e d h o l y a n d t r u e w o r d s in e l o q u e n t s e r m o n s , a n d y o u filled m y b o d y w i t h t h e s e v e n - f o l d S p i r i t , t h e S p i r i t of w i s d o m , understanding, fortitude, resolution, knowledge, love, a n d fear. A n d I a s s u m e d unto myself the seven virtues".

14

" I w r o t e all t h e g o s p e l t e a c h i n g s c o n c e r n i n g y o u r w i s d o m a n d g r a c e for y o u r acquaintances a n d for y o u r Church, a n d I looked after a n d p r o t e c t e d y o u r p e o p l e u p to t h e p r e s e n t t i m e " .

15

" N o w I e n t r u s t a n d h a n d o v e r y o u r p e o p l e b e l i e v i n g in C h r i s t , w h o h a v e obtained w i s d o m , true k n o w l e d g e , a n d sagacity, a n d h a v e been blessed a n d baptized. T a k e m e to y o u , a s y o u p r o m i s e d m e i n the c o m p a n y of m y b r e t h r e n , P a u l , P e t e r , M a t t h e w , a n d T h o m a s , a n d t h e o t h e r a p o s t l e s , s o that I m a y p a r t a k e o f t h e t h e g r e a t f e a s t w h i c h y o u created from the beginning, a n d which has no end. O p e n the divine g a t e s a n d b e a u t i f u l l y - d r a p e d w i n d o w s , a n d t h e p a t h w h i c h is u n d a r k ened by the devil, without opposition, without hosfile on.^t. Send y o u r s p l e n d i d a n g e l i c m e s s e n g e r to c h e r i s h a n d p r o t e c t [ m e j , f o r y o u are the almighty Christ, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, w h o l i v t ^ a n d flourishes f o r all e t e r n i t y " . A n d all t h e p e o p l e a n s w e r e d : " A m e n " .

16

T h e n a great brightness c a m e u p o n the people for the space of o n e h o u r o f t h e d a y . S u c h w a s t h e e x t e n t o f t h e i l l u m i n a t i o n that it c o u l d n o t b e looked o n . Everyone threw themselves o n the g r o u n d . Then there c a m e to t h e m a b e a u t i f u l f r a g r a n c e , a n d p e r f u m e o f a n g e l i c i n c e n s e .

17

Thereafter they raised their h e a d s , a n d looked at the burial-place. T h e y f o u n d n o t h i n g t h e r e in p l a c e o f the v a l i a n t p r i e s t , the e l o q u e n t judge, the d e v o u t helper, the wise preacher, the splendid confessor, the merciful dispenser of forgiveness, red-cheeked a n d blue-eyed, namely, John, the beloved apostle... And thus John parted from the

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final t h i n g s o f t h i s w o r l d . 18

T h e s u f f e r i n g a n d a f f l i c t e d o f t h e n e a r b y d i s t r i c t g a t h e r e d to t h a t p l a c e , a n d t h e y w e r e c u r e d o f all t h e i r ills.

19

A s for t h e b o d y o f J o h n , it is i n a b e a u t i f u l g o l d e n t o m b , a n d a t t h e e n d o f e a c h y e a r , t h e b e s t y o u t h , w h o is w i t h o u t d e f i l e m e n t o r s i n , i s c h o s e n , a n d h e g o e s to c u t J o h n ' s h a i r a n d p a r e h i s n a i l s , a n d w h e n h e h a s c o m p l e t e d that t a s k , h e p a r t a k e s o f t h e b o d y a n d s a c r i f i c e o f C h r i s t , a n d h e h i m s e l f a s c e n d s to h e a v e n o n t h a t d a y . T h u s j o h n ' s b o d y remains vrtthoutputrefaction o r corruption. Indeed, it is a s if it w e r e in a d e e p s l e e p , a n d it will b e t h u s until D o o m s d a y .

21. THE ACTS OF PETER AND PAUL

A f t e r P a u l r e a c h e d R o m e t h e J e w s c a m e to h i m a n d a d d r e s s e d h i m t h u s : " P r o t e c t a n d p r o c l a i m the faith in w h i c h y o u w e r e b o m , f o r it is n o t fitting t h a t y o u , a j e w , s h o u l d u n d e r m i n e the J e w i s h f a i t h . VS'hen y o u s e e P e t e r , o p p o s e h i m . It i s h e w h o h a s s u b v e r t e d o u r t e a c h i n g , i n matters s u c h as the sabbath, n e w m o o n , a n d circumcision". Paul said: " G o a n d telJ P e t e r t h a t we s h o u l d m e e t , a n d i f h e p r e a c h e s n e w d o c t r i n e I will c o n f u t e h i m in y o u r p r e s e n c e . H o w e v e r , if w h a t h e teaches has been confirmed b y testimonies from the b o o k s o f the H e b r e w s , w o s h o u l d s u b m i t to it, a n d g i v e it o u r c o n s e n t " . W h e n P a u l h a d uttered these a n d other such statements, the Jews c a m e to Peter, a n d s a i d to h i m : ' T a u i h a s c o m e f r o m t h e J e w s , a n d a s k s y o u t o c o m e to h i m . For they b r o u g h t h i m hither a s a prisoner, and will not a l l o w h i m to g o w h e r e h e w i s h e s until h e c o m e s b e f o r e C a e s a r " . W h e n P e t e r h e a r d t h i s h e w a s m u c h g l a d d e n e d , a n d h e c a m e to h i m without delay. W h e n they saw e a c h o t h o r they w e p t with joy, a n d shed c o p i o u s tears, each with his a r m a r o u n d the other's neck. T h e n Paul t o l d P e t e r all t h a t h e h a d e n d u r e d in c o m i n g , w h i l e P e t e r r e l a t e d t o h i m all t h a t h e h a d s u f f e r e d a t t h e h a n d s o f S i m o n M a g u s . P e t e r d e p a r t e d at the close of the day, a n d w h e n the m o r r o w d a w n e d h e c a m e back, a n d h e f o u n d a l a r g e c r o w d b e f o r e h i m at t h e d o o r o f t h e h o u s e w h e r e Paul was. At t h a t t i m e t h e r e w a s g r e a i c o n t e n t i o n a n d d i s t u r b a n c e b e t w e e n J e w s and Gentiles, for the j e w s proclaimed: " W e are a chosen race, a royal k i n d r e d o f t h e s e e d o f A b r a h a m , I s a a c , J a c o b , a n d all t h e p r o p h e t s , to w h o m t h e L o r d s p o k e f a c e to f a c e , a n d r e v e a l e d h i s g r e a t m i r a c l e s a n d secret mysteries. Y o u , Gentiles, h a v e nothing substantial or g o o d in y o u r heritage, only defilement from worship o f stones a n d trees a n d idols". T o these, a n d m a n y other remarks, the Gentiles replied: " W e , o n hearing the truth, a b a n d o n e d error a n d pursued righteousness. Y o u , h o w e v e r , k n e w t h e G o d w h o w a s to b e a d o r e d , y o u s a w t h e 99

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w o n d e r s a n d miracles o f the prophets, y o u were given the Law b y G o d , you crossed the Red Sea dryshod, you saw y o u r enemies d r o w n e d before y o u , you were given m a n n a from heaven, for you t h e r e a p p e a r e d a c o l u m n o f c l o u d in t h e d a y a n d a f i e r y c o l u m n a t n i g h t , f o r y o u p l e a s a n t w a t e r f l o w e d f r o m a r o c k . Y e t , a f t e r all t h e s e t h i n g s , y o u c o n s t r u c t e d t h e g o l d e n c a l f a n d a d o r e d it. W e , h o w e v e r , though w e did not see those marvels and miracles, nevertheless w e b e l i e v e d in t h e t r u e G o d . Y o u let h i m g o f r o m y o u w i t h o u t b e l i e v i n g in h i m " . W h i l e they w e r e e n ^ g e d in this contention Peter a n d P a u l p r e a c h e d to t h e m a n d m a d e peace between them. H o w e v e r , the Jewish leaders a n d the heathen priests stirred t h e m u p , and a r o u s e d the m u r m u r i n g o f t h e p o p u l a c e a g a i n s t t h e a p o s t l e s . T h e y p r a i s e d S i m o n M a g u s in t h e presence of Nero Caesar. Moreover, they denounced Peter and Paul because innumerable people h a d turned lo the Lord as a result o f the p r e a c h i n g of t h e a p o s t i e s . It w a s s u c h , i n d e e d , t h a t L i b i a , w i f e o f N e r o , a n d A g r i p p i n a , w i f e o f A g r i p p a t h e p r e f e c t , h a d c o n v e r t e d t o faith a n d b e l i e f , a n d left t h e i r r o y a l p a l a c e s to r e n d e r s e r v i c e t o t h e L o r d a n d l o Christianity. W h e n S i m o n M a g u s observed the m u r m u r i n g o f the people against t h e a p o s t i e s h e p r o c e e d e d lo r e v i l e P e t e r , s a y i n g : " P e t e r i s a m a g i c i a n a n d a false p r o p h e t " . T h o s e w h o m a r v e l l e d at the w o n d e r s w h i c h h e u s e d l o p e r f o r m p u t t h e i r t r u s t in S i m o n , f o r h e i n d u c e d m o v e m e n t in the b r o n z e serpent, a n d impelled i m a g e s of stone a n d brass lo stir a n d b e m o b i l e . M o r e o v e r , h e m a d e h i m s e l f a p p e a r to b e f l y i n g t h r o u g h t h e air. P e t e r , h o w e v e r , for h i s p a r i , w a s healing the sick a n d t h c b l i n d a n d the lame, banishing d e m o n s , a n d resurrecting the d e a d . H e a d m o n i s h e d t h e p e o p l e that t h e y s h o u l d s h u n t h e f a l s e l e a c h i n g o f S i m o n M a g u s . T h e C h r i s t i a n s t h e n p r o c l a i m e d S i m o n to t)e a w i c k e d s i n f u l m a g i c i a n , while those w h o believed in S i m o n affirmed that Peter w a s a sorcerer. W h e n N e r o heard these tidings h e o r d e r e d that S i m o n b e b r o u g h t lo h i m . O n arrival, S i m o n transformed himself into various forms, the f o r m o f a y o u t h , o f a n o l d m a n , y e t a n o t h e r time, o f a s o l d i e r . In s u c h a fashion, through the assistance of the devil, he a s s u m e d m a n y shapes. W h e n N e r o thus saw S i m o n h e supposed h i m lo b e truly the

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s o n o f G o d . H o w e v e r , P e t e r p r o c l a i m e d h i m to b e a l y i n g w i c k e d m a g i c i a n . T h e n S i m o n s a i d to N e r o : " L i s t e n t o m e , O r u l e r , f o r I a m t h e son of G o d w h o has c o m e from heaven. Hitherto i have endured Peter o n h i s o w n . N o w I a m faced with d o u b l y great trouble, in the person o f P a u l , w h o is f i g h t i n g a g a i n s t m e a l o n g s i d e P e t e r . Y o u d o n o t s e e t h a t u n l e s s y o u p l a n t h e d o w n f a l l o f t h e s e m e n t h e y will d e s t r o y y o u r kingdom". 7

N e r o said: " G o d teaches a n d loves everyone, yet you are the persecutor of these p e o p l e " . Simon M a g u s replied: "Those people have c o n v e r t e d all t h e J e w s s o that t h e y n o l o n g e r b e l i e v e in m e " . N e r o s a i d to P e t e r : " W h y d o y o u n o t b e l i e v e a s d o y o u r p e o p l e ? " P e t e r s a i d to S i m o n : " Y o u c o u l d deceive ail, but y o u w e r e not able to d e c e i v e m e , a n d G o d h a s e n j o i n e d o n m e t h e c o n v e r s i o n o f t h e e r r o r o f all t h o s e w h o m y o u h a v e led astray, i a m a m a z e d at y o u r brazen i m p u d e n c e in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e k i n g i n s e e k i n g to o v e r c o m e t h e d i s c i p l e o f C h r i s t b y y o u r sorcery, for y o u attempted this often before, but d i d not s u c c e e d " . S i m o n s a i d to N e r o : T t is n o l e ^ a m a z i n g to m e , O r u l e r , t h a t t h i s i g n o r a n t p e r s o n , P e t e r , is o f a n y c o n s e q u e n c e t o y o u . H e is a l y i n g f i s h e r m a n , w i t h o u t m e r i t a s r e g a r d s s p e e c h , f a m i l y , o r p o w e r . I will n o w order m y angels to c o m e and punish h i m " . Peter said: "I d o not f e a r y o u r a n g e l s . R a t h e r , t h e y a r e m o r e f e a r f u l o f m e , because of the strength of m y G o d , Jesus Christ".

8

N e r o r e s p o n d e d : " A r e y o u n o t afraid, Peter, of this m a n S i m o n w h o affirms his divinity with m a n y w o n d e r s ? " Peter replied: " T h e r e is no d i v i n i t y in h i m a t a l l , b u t h e h a s t w o n a t u r e s , h u m a n n a t u r e a n d d i a b o l i c n a t u r e " . M o r e o v e r , P e t e r d e c l a r e d to N e r o : " L e t S i m o n , if h e c o m e s from G o d , proclaim w h a t I a m thinking, for G o d k n o w s p e o p l e ' s t h o u g h t s . I will tell y o u p r i v a t e l y w h a t 1 a m t h i n k i n g , O N e r o . A s k t h a t a b a r l e y l o a f b e b r o u g h t h i t h e r to m e in s e c r e t " . T h i s w a s b r o u g h t , a n d h e b r o k e i l , a n d p u t it i n t o h i s s l e e v e s . P e t e r s a i d to S i m o n : " L e t y o u tell w h a t I h a v e b o o n t h i n k i n g o r w h a t I h a v e d o n e , O S i m o n " . " D o y o u think, P e t e r " , said N e r o , "that I w o u l d believe that S i m o n w o u l d not k n o w that? F o r h e h a s p e r f o r m e d great w o n d e r s in m y p r e s e n c e , a n d e v e r y t h i n g w h i c h h e p r o m i s e d t o d o , ho a c c o m p l i s h e d " . P e t e r s a i d : " I f h e h a s d o n e g r e a t t h i n g s , w h y d o e s h e n o t d o w h a t is s m a l l ? " N e r o s a i d : " W h a t a n s w o r d o y o u m a k e to t h a t , S i m o n ? " S i m o n replied: " L e t Peter reveal what I a m t h i n k i n g " . "It will n o w b e manifest

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that I understand S i m o n ' s t h o u g h t s " , said Peter. 9

T h e n S i m o n g r e w a n g r y , f o r h e h a d not perceived what t h e a p o s t l e h a d been thinking, a n d he said: "Let large hounds descend and devour Peter in the presence of N e r o C a e s a r " . S u d d e n l y h o u n d s o f startling s i z e c a m e a n d m a d e to a t t a c k P e t e r . P e t e r , h o w e v e r , s t r e t c h e d o u t h i s h a n d s in p r a y e r , r e v e a l i n g to t h e h o u n d s t h e l o a f w h i c h h e h a d b l e s s e d . W h e n the h o u n d s s a w this they immediately turned back. T h e r e u p o n P e t e r s a i d to N e r o : " I t o l d y o u that I k n e w w h a t S i m o n w a s t h i n k i n g , n a m e l y , that h e w o u l d b r i n g doglike angels against m e , which w e r e n o t a n g e l s o f G o d " . N e r o s a i d to S i m o n : " I t h i n k , S i m o n , t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n v a n q u i s h e d " . S i m o n r e p l i e d : " H e d i d t h i s t o m e in t h e l a n d o f Juda a n d Palestine, a n d because h e often contended against m e , h e learned these deeds from m e " ,

10

N e r o said: " Y o u h a v e b e e n incited b y e n v y against t h t ^ p e o p l e , for, a s I s e e it, y o u a r e g r e a t l y j e a l o u s o f t h e i r C h r i s t . I f e a r , h o w e v e r , that you have been defeated and destroyed by them". Simon replied: " D o not b e d e c e i v e d , O r u l e r " , said he. N e r o a n s w e r e d : "I h a v e not b e e n d e c e i v e d , but I see that y o u are an o p p o n e n t of Peter a n d Paul, a n d of their master, J e s u s " . S i m o n said: "Christ is not the master of Paul at all". Paul retorted: " H e w h o w a s physically present to teach Peter, that same m a n has instructed m e through revelation".

11

S i m o n s a i d to N e r o : " I a m s u r p r i s e d t h a t y o u s h o u l d s h o u l d b e i n doubt about m e , for I t ^ v e p e r f o r i r ^ numerous wonders and mira d e s b e f o r e y o u " . N e r o r e p l i e d : "1 a m n o t in d o u b t , a n d I d o n o t b e l i e v e in e i t h e r o f y o u . S i m p l y g i v e m e a n a n s w e r t o w h a t I a m a s k i n g y o u " . S i m o n s a i d : " I will n o t a n s w e r y o u a t a l l " . N e r o r e s p o n d e d : " W h a t e l s e then for m e but to regard y o u a s of n o account, for you are deceitful in all t h i n g s , a s 1 p e r c e i v e f r o m y o u r d e e d s . T h e t h r e e o f y o u h a v e m a d e m e p e r p l e x e d , s o t h a t I n o w d o not k n o w w h i c h G o d t o a c c e p t " . P e t e r s a i d : " B e l i e v e in t h e F a t h e r , S o n , a n d H o l y S p i r i t , t h e c r e a t o r o f all t h e e l e m e n t s , w h o m a d e h e a v e n a n d e a r t h , a n d all that i s in t h e m . H e is t h e true King, w h o s e rule is unlimited". Simon said: " D o you both not u n d e r s t a n d that y o u will g e t w h a t y o u s e e k , t h a t i s , m a r t y r d o m ? " P e t e r a n d P a u l r e p l i e d : " O S i m o n , O w i c k e d m a g i d a n , v e s s e l full o f d e m o n s a n d of b i t t e r n e s s , n o g o o d a w a i t s y o u in t h i s w o r l d o r i n t h e next".

21.

THE ACTS O F PETER A N D PAUL

103

12

S i m o n r e t o r t e d : " L i s t e n , O N e r o , s o that y o u m a y find o u t t h a t t h e s e m e n a r e d e c e i v e r s , w h i l e 1 a s s u r e d l y c o m e f r o m h e a v e n . I will g o to h e a v e n t o m o r r o w . T h e n I will g r a n t g o o d f o r t u n e to t h o s e w h o b e l i e v e in m e , a n d 1 will r e v e a l m y a n g e r a n d r a g e to t h o s e w h o r e j e c t m e " . T h e n P e t e r a n d P a u l s a i d : " G o d h a s c a l l e d u s l o n g s i n c e to h e a v e n , and to his great glory a n d honour. Y o u , h o w e v e r , are called b y the d e v i l , a n d a r e h a s t e n i n g to e t e r n a l t o r t u r e a n d p a i n " . S a i d S i m o n : " O N e r o , c a s t t h e s e m a d m e n a w a y f r o m y o u , a n d let m e b e o f b e n e f i t to y o u w h e n I r e a c h m y f a t h e r in h e a v e n " . N e r o r e p l i e d : " H o w a r e w e to p r o v e that you w i J i g o loheaven?" S i m o n s a i d : "Ordcra l a r g e w o o d e n t o w e r to b e m a d e , a n d I will e n t e r it. M y a n g e l s will b e a r m e f r o m t h e n c e u p i n t h e a i r , for t h e y c a n n o t c o m e d o w n to e a r t h to m i n g l e w i t h sirmers".

13

N e r o t h e n o r d e r e d a h i g h t o w e r to b e c o n s t r u c t e d o n t h e C a m p u s M a r t i u s , a n d h e a s k e d all the p e o p l e , t h e i r l e a d e r s , a n d t h e a p o s t l e s to c o m e t o w i t n e s s t h e h a p p e n i n g o n t h e m o r r o w . N e r o s a i d to t h e a p o s t l e s ; "It will s o o n b e e v i d e n t w h o is i n p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e truth". P e t e r a n d P a u l r e p l i e d : " I t will n o t b e r e v e a l e d b y u s that S i m o n i s a d e c e i v e r , b u t b y o u r L o r d , J e s u s C h r i s t " . P a u l t u r n e d to P e t e r , a n d s a i d t o h i m ; " M y p a r t i s to k n e e l a n d p r a y to t h e L o r d , y o u r s is to c a s t d o w n S i m o n a s h e r i s e s u p , for y o u w e r e f i rst t o b e c h o s e n b y G o d " . P e t e r s a i d to S i m o n ; " M a k e y o u r a t t e m p t , for e x p o s u r e o f y o u r i n i q u i t y will s o o n b e u p o n y o u . T h e time d r a w s n e a r w h e n w e will i n v o k e G o d , f o r I s e e m y Lord Jesus Christ summorung me, and summoning Paul". Nero a s k e d : " W h i c h w a y will y o u g o against m y w i l l ? " Peter replied: " W h i c h e v e r w a y t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t d i r e c t s " . " I s it to h e a v e n y o u will g o ? " , a s k e d N e r o . P e t e r a n s w e r e d : " W e will g o w h e r e v e r i s w i l l e d b y the G o d w h o calls u s " .

14

T h e n S i m o n a s c e n d e d i n t o t h e t o w e r in t h e p r e s e n c e o f a l l , a n d s t r e t c h e d o u t h i s h a n d s , a n d w a s flying in t h e a i r . N e r o d e c l a r e d : " T h i s m a n Simon is truthful. Y o u a n d Paul, however, are deceivers". Peter s a i d to h i m : " Y o u will r e a l i s e w i t h o u t d e l a y t h a t it is w e w h o a r e t r u t h t e l l e r s a n d d i s c i p l e s o f C h r i s t , a n d t h a t S i m o n is n o g o d , b u t a w i c k e d c h e a t i n g m a g i c i a n " . N e r o s a i d : " Y o u still p e r s i s t in y o u r evil w h i l e y o u s e e h i m c l e a r l y g o i n g to h e a v e n " . P e t e r s a i d to P a u l ; " R a i s e y o u r h e a d a n d s e e S i m o n flying". T h e n P a u l r e s p o n d e d ; " O P e t e r , c a r r y i n t o e f f e c t t h a t w h i c h y o u h a v e set o u t t o d o , f o r o u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t i s

104

IR'SH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

s u m m o n i n g u s " . W h e n N e r o h e a r d their conversarion h e d e r i d e d t h e m , s a y i n g : " I t i s c l e a r to t h e s e n o w t h a t t h e y a r e d e f e a t e d , a n d that they are deranged". Peter said: "I request y o u , O servants of the devil, w h o h a v e r a i s e d t h i s m a n u p in t h e a i r to l e a d t h e h e a r t e o f u n b e l i e v e r s a s t r a y , f o r t h e s a k e o f t h e C r e a t o r o f all t h i n g s , f o r t h e s a k e o f C h r i s t w h o a r o s e f r o m t h e d e a d o n t h e third d a y , let y o u n o t b e a r h i m u p f r o m t h i s m o m e n t f o r w a r d ! " . I m m e d i a t e l y S i m o n fell d o w n i n t h e p l a c e c a l l e d sacra xm, a n d h i s b o d y w a s b r o k e n in f o u r p a r t s . F o u r s t o n e s w e r e f o r m e d t h e r e in c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f t h e t r i u m p h o f t h e a p o s t l e s , a n d r e m a i n to this d a y . 15

T h e r e u p o n N e r o o r d e r e d t h e a p o s t l e s to b e i m p r i s o n e d , a n d t h e b o d y o f Sinvon t o b e w a t c h e d o v e r f o r t h r e e d a y s , f o r h e t h o u g h t t h a t S i m o n w o u l d r i s e o n t h e t h i r d d a y . P e t e r s a i d to h i m : " H e will n e v e r rise, f o r h e h a s d i e d to s u f f e r p a i n a n d t o r m e n t " . T h e n N e r o s a i d to t h e p r e f e c t A g r i p p a : " T h e s e i m p i o u s m e n a r e p r i s o n e r s . B r i n g f i e r y s w o r d s to b e a r o n t h e m to p u t a n e n d t h e r e b y l o t h e i r l i v e s , a n d t h e l i v e s o f all w h o s i d e w i t h t h e m " . T h e p r e f e c t r e p l i e d : " O k i n g a n d r u l e r , it is n o t fitting that their d e a t h s should b e similar, for Paul is not a convicted c r i m i n a l , w h i l e P e t e r i s a m u r d e r e r a n d a r e p r o b a t e . It s e e m s to m e that t h e j u s t c o u r e e is to b e h e a d P a u l , b u t to c r u c i f y P e t e r " . " Y o u h a v e g i v e n a satisfactory j u d g e m e n t " , said N e r o . Then the apostles w e r e b r o u g h t before Nero.

16

W h e n P a u l w a s t a k e n to t h e p l a c e o f d e c a p i t a t i o n h e s a w a c e r t a i n w o m a n w i t h w h i t e l i n e n c l o t h in h e r h a n d . P a u l s a i d to h e r : " G i v e m e t h e l i n e n c l o t h to p u t a r o u n d m y h e a d , s o t h a t I m a y n o t s e e t h e h a n d o f t h e e x e c u t i o n e r . Y o u s h a l l h a v e it b a c k i m m e d i a t e l y " . T h e w o m a n g a v e h i m the cloth. Paul w a s b e h e a d e d at the m a r b l e c o l u m n s in the via ostensi, a n d t h e l i n e n c l o t h c a m e b a c k a g a i n to t h e w o m a n . P a u l ' s h e a d , h o w e v e r , i m m e d i a t e l y r o l l e d a w a y i n t o a c e r t a i n l a k e w h e r e it r e m a i n e d for forty years. After the fortieth y e a r the d a u g h t e r o f the w o m a n w h o h a d g i v e n t h e l i n e n c l o t h t o P a u l c a m e to w a s h d o l h e s a t t h e s a m e l a k e . S h e s a w l i g h t s s h i n i n g in t h e l a k e , a n d m a d e t h i s k n o w n t h r o u g h o u t t h e c i t y . T h e n t h e R o m a n p o p u l a c e c a m e hi t h e r , a n d f o u n d P a u l ' s h e a d i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e l a k e . T h e y b o r e t h e h e a d in h o n o u r , w i t h m u c h h y m n - s i n g i n g , to w h e r e t h e b o d y w a s . A n d b o t h b o d y a n d head w e r e dripping blood, a s though Paul had b e e n b e h e a d e d o n that v e r y d a y . They settled t h e h e a d o n t h e b o d y , a n d t h e t w o f u s e d

21.

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105

together a s though in life. E v e r y o n e praised a n d b l e ^ d the L o r d o n account o f that miracle. 17

A s f o r P e t e r , w h e n h e c a m e to b e c r u c i f i e d h e s a i d : " M y L o r d j e s u s Christ w h o c a m e d o w n from heaven w a s crucified with his head u p w a r d a n d h i s f e e t d o w n w a r d . F o r m y p a r t , I a m n o t w o r t h y to b e p l a c e d t h u s , s o let m y h e a d b e d o w n w a r d , a n d m y feet u p w a r d " . T h e executioners did so. T h e n a n innumerable host gathered there, intent on burning Nero Caesar. But Peter called out, saying: "I c a m e hence today to s p e a k to a b r o t h e r o f m i n e , a n d m y L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t m e t m e o n t h e w a y . I a d o r e d h i m , a n d s a i d t o h i m : 'Dominequo vadis?' ' W h e r e a r e y o u g o i n g . L o r d ? ' 'Et dixit Christiis, uado in Roma crucifigi iterum' ' A n d C h r i s t s a i d t o m e : " F o l l o w m e , f o r 1 a m g o i n g t o R o m e to b e c r u c i f i K l a g a i n ' , t h a t i s , to b e c r u c i f i e d in t h e p e r s o n o f h i s f o l l o w e r s , the apostles. D o not, therefore, hinder m y p a s s a g e " , said Peter, " f o r I a m going to heaven, since Paul and I are followeis of Christ". W h e n Peter h a d s p o k e n these a n d other words, he yielded u p his spirit.

18

T h e n h o l y p e r s o n s a p p e a r e d - a n g e l s , in f a c t , t h e l i k e o f w h o m w a s never seen before or since. These said: " F o r Peter's sake we h a v e c o m e f r o m J e r u s a l e m " Oerusalem being the n a m e u s e d then for h e a v e n ) . T h e r e a f t e r they s e c r e t l y t o o k a w a y P e t e r ' s b o d y , a n d left it in t h e p l a c e n a m e d Vaticanus, saying to the R o m a n people: " B e glad and rejoice that these holy m e n and great anchorites are a m o n g y o u " . N o w the R o m a n s c o n c e i v e d a g r e a t h a t r e d f o r N e r o , s u c h that t h e y d e t e r m i n e d t o s c o u r g e a n d b e a t h i m t o d e a t h . W h e n N e r o h e a r d that p l a n , h e w a s seized with intense fear a n d terror. H e m a d e a secret e s c a p e lo the deserts a n d woods of the land, where he remained, wandering and astray, until h e died o f cold and h u n g e r , a n d animals a n d birds d e v o u r e d him thereafter.

22. THE PASSION OF THE APOSTLE PHILIP T h e a p o s t l e P h i l i p w a s p r e a c h i n g a n d t e a c h i n g for f o r t y y e a r s in S c y t h i a . H e a t h e n s t h e n c a m e to h i m , t o o k h i m p r i s o n e r , a n d b r o u g h t h i m w i t h t h e m to t h e t e m p l e o f M a r s , w h o w a s t h e i r i d o l g o d . T h e r e w a s a h u g e d r a g o n there, which had killed the t w o tribunes w h o w e r e p l a c e d o v e r the city b y the Ron\ans to levy t h e tribute of C a e s a r . A n d it w a s t h e i m p i o u s k e e p e r s o f t h a t d r a g o n w h o h a d i m p r i s o n e d P h i l i p . A n e n o r m o u s n u m b e r o f p e o p I e i n t h a t c i t y were suffering from v a r i o u s d i s e a s e s a s a r e s u l t o f t h e v e n o m o u s e m i s s i o n s f r o m Uiat dragon. S o m e were m a d e blind, others deaf or lame. A n d he brought u p o n t h e m e v e r y o t h e r a i l m e n t a l s o , s o t h a t they m i g h t o f fo" s a c r i f i c e s to t h e d e v i l to c u r e t h o s e m a l a d i e s , a n d t h u s t h e i r s o u l s m i g h t b e d a m n e d thereafter. T h e a p o s t l e P h i l i p s a i d lo all t h e p e o p l e i n t h e c i t y w h o w e r e i l l : " D o w h a t I a d v i s e , a n d y o u will b e h e a l e d in b o d y a n d s o u l . In t h e n a m e o f the Lord JesusChrist, the d e m o n i c dragon w h o has formerly d o n e y o u h a r m will b e h u n t e d o u t , a n d I will r e v i v e i n t h e n a m e o f C h r i s t t h o s e w h o w e r e k i l l e d b y i t " . T h e p e o p l e s a i d : " J u s t tell u s w h a t w e a r e t o d o " . " C a s t out the figure o f Mars, a n d break it", said Philip. "In its p l a c e p u t t h e c r o s s o f C h r i s t , a n d t h e n d o r e v e r e n c e to t h a t " . " S i m p l y grant u s h e a l t h " , said they, " a n d w e will then break the i m a g e of t h e idol M a r s " . A s a g r e a t s i l e n c e fell, t h e a p o s t l e s a i d : " D e p a r t , d r a g o n . L e a v e y o u r lair i n t h e n a m e o f t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d g o to s o m e p l a c e w h e r e h u m a n s d o n o t d w e l l , s o t h a t y o u m a y n e v e r a g a i n d o i n j u r y to a n y o n e " . Thereafter, at the word of the apostle, the dragon, surr o u n d e d b y a t t e n d a n t d e m o n s , d e p a r t e d w i t h a l o u d c r y , filling t h e t e m p l e w i t h its f u m e s a n d s t e n c h . A n d h e d i d n o t a p p e a r a g a i n . P h i l i p r e s u s c i t a t e d t h e s o n o f t h e p r i e s t w h o u s e d t o set fire l o t h e s a c r i f i c e s , a n d h e i m m e d i a t e l y c u r e d all t h e p e o p l e w h o w e r e m a d e ill b y t h e v e n o m o f the beast. T h o s e w h o were formerly at variance with Philip c o n v e r t e d to z e a l o u s r e p e n t a n c e w h e n t h e y s a w that g r e a t m i r a c l e . 106

22.

THE

PASSION

O F T H E APOSTLE PHILIP

107

T h e y u s e d to v e n e r a t e P h i l i p a s if h e w e r e a g o d . H e preached there for a year, his instruction dealing with the m a n n e r in w h i c h C h r i s t w a s b o m of t h e v i r g i n , h o w h e w a s c r u c i f i e d , h o w h e a s c e n d e d to h e a v e n b e f o r e t h e e y e s o f h i s a p o s t l e s , a n d h o w t h e g r a c e o f the Holy Spirit c a m e upon his apostles and g a v e t h e m the gift o f m a n y t o n g u e s , t h o u g h until t h e n t h e y s p o k e b u t t h e o n e l a n g u a g e , H e b r e w . "1 a m o n e o f t h e s e a p o s t l e s " , s a i d P h i l i p . " I h a v e b e e n s e n t to r e v e a l t h e s e t h i n g s to y o u , t h a t t h e i d o l s w h i c h y o u w o r s h i p a r e n o t true gods, but m u t e images, without intelligence or reason, the useless w o r k of sinners' hands. T h o s e w h o do them worship are truly the e n e m i e s o f G o d " . M u l t i t u d e s t h e n b e l i e v e d in P h i l i p . T h e r e w a s n o f e w e r t h a n m a n y t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e , w h o w e r e all b a p t i z e d b y h i m . A n d n u m e r o u s c h u r c h e s w e r e built by h i m there, a n d h e o r d a i n e d bishops, priests, a n d deacons. T h e n it w a s r e v e a l e d to P h i l i p in a v i s i o n t h a t h e s h o u l d l e a v e t h o s e l a n d s a n d c i t i e s , a n d g o to t h e b i s h o p o f A s i a , to s h o w h i m c o m p a s s i o n , a n d to s p e a k w i t h h i m a f t e r w a r d s . T h e a p o s d e Pliilip t h u s s e t o u t f o r A s i a , a n d s t a y e d in t h e c i t y o f H i e r a p o l i s , w h e r e h e c o n d e m n e d a n d s u b v e r t e d t h e r e l i g i o n o f the E b o n i t e s , w h o h e l d that C h r i s t w a s n o t b o m of a virgin. Philip disparaged a n d banished that belief. N o w Philip had two daughters, two excellent virgins, through w h o m G o d g r a n t e d t h a t i n n u m e r a b l e o t h e r v i r g i n s w e r e b r o u g h t to f a i t h a n d conversion. T w e l v e d a y s b e f o r e h e w a s c m c i f i e d , P h i l i p c a l l e d t o h i m all t h e priests, d e a c o n s , a n d b i s h o p s of the nearby cities, a n d said l o t h e m : " O n l y t w e l v e d a y s r e m a i n o f m y life. L e t y o u b e m i n d f u l o f t h e l e a c h i n g o f t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d p r a y well to t h e L o r d . D o b a t t l e bravely against y o u r vices a n d sins. S h o w contempt a n d s c o m for the ancient e n e m y , the devil, a n d his temptations. S u b d u e a n d restrain y o u r bodily desires by fasting, prayer, abstinence, and giving food a n d c l o t h i n g a s a l m s to t h e p o o r a n d n e e d y o f t h e l i v i n g G o d . G o d w i l l fulfil h i s p r o m i s e s t o u s if w e d o all o f t h e s e t h i n g s . H e will grar^t u s p e a c e a n d happiness in this life, a n d the k i n g d o m of h e a v e n for o u r souls a f t e r d e a t h . I n d e e d , G o d w i l l i n c r e a s e h i s w o n d e r - w o r k i n g in t h e c h u r c h e s o n e a r t h , for t h i s h a s b e e n t h e L o r d ' s p r o p h e c y a n d p r o m i s e t o u s , if w e c a r r y o u t t h e s e t h i n g s to t h e b e s t o f o u r a b i l i t y " .

lOS

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

T h e n i m p i o u s c r o w d s , a l o n g w i t h the J e w i s h p r i e s t s , r o s e u p a g a i n s t Philip, a n d said that his tongue should b e cut out. T h i s w a s d o n e , yet it d i d not a t all d i m i n i s h h i s t e a c h i n g o f t h e p e o p l e . T h e p e o p l e a n d p r i e s t s a s k e d that h i s t o n g u e b e c u t o u t a g a i n , b u t t h o u g h it w a s d o n e , it d i d not h a r m h i m . S e v e n t i m e s the a p o s t l e ' s t o n g u e w a s c u t o u t b y t h e m , y e t h e d i d n o t c e a s e f r o m p r e a c h i n g d u r i n g that t i m e . T h e n t h e y a s k e d that he b e s t o n e d . T h e y s h u c k h i m o n the face with fists, lead cudgels, a n d stones, but they caused him neither injury n o r a n y kind of pain. T h e r e u p o n the people and priests ordered that the apostle should b e c r u c i f i e d , s i n c e t h e y f a i l e d t o inflict a n y o t h e r d e a t h o n h i m . A c e r t a i n wicked cruel m a n a m o n g t h e m c a m e forward, and placed a deadly noose a r o u n d the apostle's neck, a n d they hanged h i m then, after h e h a d e n d u r e d m u c h pain, insult, a n d scourging, like his m a s t e r , Jesus. H i e r a p o l i s , t h e n , is t h e n a m e o f t h c d t y i n w h i c h P h i l i p t h e a p o s t l e w a s crucified. Great splendour a n d ministering angels were seen around the g a l l o w s w h e n Philip expired, a n d the angels placed the soul o f the a p o s t l e in t h e m a n s i o n s o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n in t h e g l o r y o f t h e angels, after his attainment of the crown o f m a r t y r d o m . T h e holy apostle Philip w a s eighty-six years old w h e n h e departed to t h e L o r d . T h e y b u r i e d h i s b o d y in t h e v i l l a ^ c a l l e d B e t h s a i d a . H i s t w o daughters, the two holy virgins, were buried there a long time later, o n e o f t h e m a t t h e right s i d e o f t h e a p o s t l e , t h e o t h e r a t h i s l e f t . A t t h a t place, everyone who prays fervently to the apostle and the two holy v i r g i n s will h a v e h i s r e q u e s t g r a n t e d .

23. THE EVERNEW TONGUE 1

In principio fecit Deus caelum et terram, et reliqua. T h e H i g h - K i n g o f t h e world, stronger than a n y king, higher than a n y p o w e r , fiercer than a n y d r a g o n , gentler than a n y child, brighter than suns, holier than a n y a n c i e n t , m o r e v e n g e f u l t h a n all m e n , m o r e a f f e c t i o n a t e t h a n a n y m o t h e r , t h e o n l y s o n o f G o d t h e F a t h e r , h e it w a s w h o g a v e this a c c o u n t o f t h e f o r m a t i o n a n d c r e a t i o n of t h e w o r l d to t h e m a n y p e o p l e s o n e a r t h , b e c a u s e it w a s n o t k n o w n t o a n y o n e e x c e p t G o d w h a t a n y v i s i b l e t h i n g in t h e w o r l d w a s l i k e , f o r it w a s a s if t h e r a c e o f A d a m h a d its h e a d in a b a g , o r e x i s t e d in a d a r k d w e l l i n g . F o r t h i s r e a s o n , t h e n , that there w a s n o k n o w l e d g e of the f o r m o f the world, or of w h o m a d e it, t h i s a c c o u n t c a m e f r o m h e a v e n t o o p e n t h e m i n d a n d i n t e l l e c t o f a l l , s o t h a t s o u l s m i g h t find t h e w a y o f life a n d s a l v a t i o n .

2

N o w everything w a s obscure to the eyes of A d a m ' s race except for their seeing the motion of the constellations, the m o o n , sun, a n d stars, which circulated each day without ever ceasing. They saw, moreover, t h a t t h e s p r i n g s a n d rivers o f t h e w o r l d n e v e r s t o p p e d flowing a t a n y time. They observed the depression o n theearth, the debility a n d sleep afflicting light a n d c r o p s at the c o m i n g o f winter. T h e y s a w also the r e v i v a l o f the e a r t h w i t h h e a t a n d l i g h t , flowers a n d fruit, a l t h e reawakening of summer.

3

Y e t t h e y d i d n o t k n o w w h o w a s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h i s unHI t h e r e c a m e , a s G o d a r r a n g e d , t h e a c c o u n t o f t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e w o r l d , its f o r m s a n d m o t i o n . All o f t h i s w a s o b s c u r e until t h e s t o r y w a s r e l a t e d , u n t i l t h e E v e m e w T o n g u e r e v e a l e d it, s p e a k i n g f r o m t h e h e i g h t o f h e a v e n a b o v e the a s s e m b l y of M o u n t Sion. For the hosts o f the e a s t e m w o r l d w e r e g a t h e r e d , t h o s e f r o m t h e m o u n t a i n s o f A b i a n a s f a r a s the s h o r e s o f the R e d Sea, a n d f r o m the D e a d Sea as far a s the island of S a b a m . This w a s the n u m b e r congregated, three thousand four h u n d r e d a n d e i g h t y - f i v e b i s h o p s , a n d fifty-four t h o u s a n d n i n e h u n d r e d a n d s i x t y nine kings o f the world.

109

no

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

T h a t assembly lasted for a year a n d four months, s u m m e r , winter, s p r i n g , a n d a u t u m n , u n d e r rune h u n d r e d w h i t e l i n e n a w n i n g s d e c o rated with golden insignia, on the s u m m i t of M o u n t Sion. T h e r e w e r e f i v e t h o u s a n d n i n e h u n d r e d a n d fifty p i l l a r e d l i g h t e a n d p r e c i o u s s t o n e s w h i c h lit u p to i l l u m i n a t e t h e g a t h e r i n g , in s u c h a w a y t h a t n o b a d w e a t h e r c o u l d h i n d e r it a t a n y t i m e . T h e r e w e r e t w o h u n d r e d a n d fifty b i s h o p s , f i v e h u n d r e d p r i e s t s , t h r e e t h o u s a n d i n e c c l e s i a s t i c a l orders, o n e h u n d r e d a n d fifty sirJess y o u t h s , a n d five h u n d r e d highk i n g s w i t h their retinues there before them. At m i d n i g h t their voices w o u l d reach Jerusalem, as at each n o c t u m s they c a m e to sing the g r e e t i n g s s u n g in t h e h o l y h e a v e n s , Gloria in excelsis Deo, et reliqua. T h e n the hoste of the assembly would c o m e u p between two p l a i n s , a s t h e m o v i n g h o s t s a n d c o n c o u r s e r e t u r n e d to M o u n t S i o n , w i t h t h e m u s i c o f their joyful greeting mingling with angelic m u s i c f r o m the just r a n k s o f the High-King. Thereafter, s u d d e n l y , at the etvl of the e v e of Easter, there w a s h e a r d in the c l o u d s a noise like thunder, or like the crackle of fire. T h e r e w a s a thunderous blast meanwhile, w h e r e b y suddenly a solar mass, like a bright s u n , w a s seen in the midst of the tumult. That radiant solar m a s s revolved a r o u n d in s u c h a w a y t h a t e y e s c o u l d n o t l o o k o n it, f o r it w a s seven times brighter than the sun. Immediately afterwards, as the e y e s of the host awaited the crash, for they t h o u g h t that it w a s a s i g n of D o o m s d a y , there w a s h e a r d a clear v o i c e w h i c h s p o k e in a n g e l i c l a n g u a g e "Haeli habia felebe foe niteia temnibissesalis sal", t h a t i s , " H e a r t h i s a c c o u n t , s o n s o f m e n . 1 h a v e b e e n s e n t f r o m G o d to s p e a k to y o u " . T h e n s u d d e n w e a k n e s s a n d fear c a m e upon the c r o w d s , a n d their fright w a s not u n f o u n d e d . T h e s o u n d of the voice c a m e forth like the s h o u t o f a c r o w d , y e t a t t h e s a m e t i m e it w a s c l e a r e r a n d p l a i n e r t h a n h u m a n v o i c e s . It r e s o u n d e d o v e r t h e e n c a m p m e n t l i k e t h e call o f a m i g h t y w i n d , y e t d i d n o t a p p e a r l o u d e r to e a c h i n d i v i d u a l t h a n t h e v o i c e o f a I r i e n d in t h e e a r , a n d it w a s m o r e m e l o d i o u s t h a n m u s i c . T h e Hebrew wise m e n responded, and said "Let us k n o w y o u r n a m e , y o u r status, and your message". The Evernew T o n g u e w a s heard.

23.

THE

EVERNEW TONGUE

111

s p e a k i n g in a n a n g e l i c v o i c e : " Nathire uimbaeolehiaem un nimhisse tiron tibia am biasesaufimbliafebeablefebiafuan", that i s , " I w a s b o m a m o n g the peoples of earth, conceived b y procreation of m a n a n d w o m a n . M y n a m e is P h i l i p t h e A p o s t l e . T h e L o r d s e n t m e t o p r e a c h to h e a t h e n peoples. N i n e times m y tongue w a s cut out of m y head b y heathens, a n d n i n e t i m e s i w a s a b l e to g o o n p r e a c h i n g a g a i n . F o r t h i s r e a s o n I am called the E v e m e w T o n g u e by the c o m p a n y of heaven". 10

T h e Hebrew savants said: 'l.et us k n o w what language you speak to u s " . H e r e p l i e d : " I s p e a k to y o u in t h e s p e e c h o f a n g e l s , a n d o f all t h e heavenly orders. E v e n the creatures of the sea, beasts, q u a d m p e d s , b i r d s , s e r p e n i s , a n d d e m o n s k n o w it. It is t h e l a n g u a g e w h i c h all w i l l s p e a k at J u d g e m e n t " .

11

" I t i s t h i s w h i c h h a s m a d e m e c o m e to y o u , to e l u c i d a t e to y o u t h e w o n d e r f u l story w h i c h the H o l y Spirit related through M o s e s s o n of A m r a m c o n c e r n i n g t h e c r e a t i o n o f e a r t h a n d h e a v e n a n d all v i s i b l e t h e r e o n . F o r t h e n a r r a t i v e tells o f t h e m a k i n g o f h e a v e n a n d e a r t h . L i k e w i s e , it c o n c e m s t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e w o r l d b r o u g h t a b o u t b y t h e resm-rection of Christ f r o m the d e a d o n this Easter e v e . F o r e v e r y s u b s t a n c e , e v e r y e l e m e n t , a n d e v e r y e s s e n c e v i s i b l e in t h e w o r l d w e r e all b o u n d t o g e t h e r in t h e b o d y in w h i c h C h r i s t a r o s e , t h a t i s , i n t h e body of every h u m a n " .

12

" I n t h e first p l a c e , t h e r e is m a t e r i a l f r o m w i n d a n d a i r . F r o m it c o m e s t h e c a p a c i t y to b r e a t h e i n h u m a n b o d i e s . T h e n t h e r e i s h e a t a n d b u r n i n g f i e r y m a t t e r . T h i s f o r m s t h e r e d h e a t o f b l o o d in b o d i e s . T h e r e is m a t e r i a l from t h e s u n , a n d from the s t a r s of h e a v e n b e s i d e s . T h i s m a k e s t h e l u s f r e a n d l i g h t in p e o p l e ' s e y e s . T h e r e is m a t e r i a l m a d e o f b i t t e r a n d sal ty e l e m e n t s , w h i c h f o r m s t h e b i t t e m e s s o f t e a r s , t h e gall o f t h e l i v e r , a n d m u c h a n g e r in h u m a n h e a r t s . T h e r e is, m o r e o v e r , material from stones and the clay of the earth, which causes the fusion o f f l e s h a n d b o n e s a n d l i m b s in p e o p l e . T h e r e is m a t e r i a l f r o m f l o w e r s a n d c o l o u r e d t h i n g s o f t h e e a r t h , w h i c h e n g e n d e r s the v a r i e g a t i o n a n d p a l e n e s s o f f a c e s , a n d t h e c o l o u r in c h e e k s " .

13

" A l l t h e w o r l d r o s e w i t h h i m b e c a u s e t h e e s s e n c e of all t h e e l e m e n t s w a s i n t h e b o d y w h i c h J e s u s a s s u m e d . F o r if t h e L o r d h a d n o t b e e n c m c i f i e d o n b e h a l f o f t h e r a c e o f A d a m , a n d if h e h a d n o t a r i s e n a f t e r

112

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

death, the w h o l e world a n d the descendants of A d a m w o u l d b e destroyed w h e n D o o m s d a y c a m e . N o creature of sea or earth w o u l d b e r e g e n e r a t e d , b u t the skies w o u l d b l a z e a s f a r a s t h e third h e a v e n . All but three h e a v e n s of the great Heavenly K i n g d o m would remain u n b u m t . T h e r e w o u l d b e neither land n o r people, alive o r d e a d , in the w o r l d , o n l y hell a n d h e a v e n , if t h e L o r d h a d n o t c o m e t o r e d e e m t h e m . All w o u l d t h u s perish without restoration". 14

' T o r t h i s I h a v e c o m e to y o u " , s a i d P h i l i p , " t o g i v e y o u t h e i n f o r m a t i o n , for the formation of the shape of the world, as has been related from o f o l d , is d i m a n d o b s c u r e to y o u " . " W e l l t h e n " , s a i d t h e H e b r e w s a g e s , "tell u s about the i n n u m e r a b l e m a r v e l s which h a p p e n e d then, for the m a t t e r i s e c l i p s e d f r o m u s u n l e s s w e h a v e it c l e a r l y set f o r t h " .

15

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e w a s heard speaking in angelic language:"Lae uidefodea taboabeliaatbefab", quodlatinedicitur: "in principio fecit Deus caelum et terram", a n d h e s a i d : "Ambilebane bea fabnefa liberasalese inbila tibon alesiboma fuan". It w o u l d b e t e d i o u s to r e c o u n t in H e b r e w all t h a t w a s r e l a t e d t h e r e : that t h e r e w a s n o o r d e r n o r b r i g h t n e s s , n o e a r t h w i t h m o u n t a i n s a n d t e r r i t o r i e s , n o s e a w i t h islaruls, n o h e l l w i t h t o r t u r e s b e f o r e it w a s s a i d " L e t t h e r e b e e l e m e n t s " . T h e c i r c u i t s o f t h e s e v e n h e a v e n s d i d n o t e x i s t , n o r c l o u d s to w a t e r t h e e a r t h , n o r s p a r k s , n o r o u t b r e a k s o f b a d w e a t h e r . T h e r e w e r e n o l a n d s o n w h i c h it m i g h t p o u r , for there w a s neither rain n o r s n o w . There was no lightning, nor blast of wind, nor thunder. T h e course of the sun did not exist, nor the altCTnations o f t h e m o o n , n o r t h e v a r i e g a t i o n o f t h e s t a r e . T h e r e w e r e n o sea-monsters, nor sea in w h i c h they w o u l d s w i m . T h e r e w e r e n o streams, herds, beasts, birds, dragons or serpents".

16

Responderunt sapientes Ebreorum: " W e ask what existed at that t i m e when n o n e of the things mentioned u p to n o w existed?" T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e a i i s w e r e d : " T h e m a r v e l o f all e l e m e n t s e x i s t e d , t h a t i s , G o d , w h o is w i t h o u t b e g i n n i n g o r e n d , w i t h o u t s o r r o w , a g e o r d e c a y . T h e r e w a s not a time or occcasion o r era w h e n h e did not exist. H e is neither y o u n g e r n o r o l d e r t h a n a t first. N o t h i n g w a s i m p o s s i b l e for h i m t o d o . H e reflected, a n d h a d a t h o u g h t . T h i s t h o u g h t h a d n o b e g i n n i n g . H e contemplated the existence of a m o r e splendid thing w h e r e b y his p o w e r a n d his unutterable dignity might b e seen, for these did not exist in a n y other things apart from himself".

23.

THE

EVERNEW TONGUE

113

17

"Finally, with these t h o u g h t s , h e i m m e d i a t e l y created light. T h e light w h i c h he created w a s the circuit o f the heavens with the nine orders o f angels. There were seventy lands with six hundred a n d twenty four s u n n y dwellings, with m e l o d i e s a n d colours in the seven f o r m s o f h e a v e n , in a single d a y h e m a d e the circuit of those f o r m s , g i v i n g the b a s i s in w h i c h t h e w o r l d w a s m a d e , f o r it is in t h e s h a p e o f a r o u n d c i r c l e t h a t G o d first f a s h i o n e d t h e w o r l d " .

18

T h e n t h e H e b r e w sages

said: "Tell u s n o w the manner of arrangements

in t h e w o r l d , f o r w e a r e u n i n f o r m e d a n d i g n o r a n t o f a n y of t h e m " . 19

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e a n s w e r e d ; ' T h o u g h y o u d o n o t s e e it, e v e r y e l e m e n t h a p p e n s to b e r o u n d , in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e s h a p e s o f t h e world. For the h e a v e n s w e r e rounded, a s were the seven seas surr o u n d i n g t h e m , a n d t h u s also the earth w a s m a d e . A n d in circular m o t i o n t h e s t a r s e n c i r c l e t h e r o u n d w h e e l o f t h e e a r t h . It i s a s c i r c u l a r s h a p e s t h a t s o u l s a p p e a r a f t e r g o i n g f o r t h f r o m b o d i e s . It is a s a c i r c l e thai the circuit o f majestic heaven is seen, and the circuit o f s u n a n d m o o n i s r o u n d e d . All o f t h i s i s f i t t i n g , f o r t h e L o r d i s a s a c i r c l e , w i t h o u t b e g i n n i n g or e n d , h e w h o a l w a y s w a s , a n d a l w a y s will b e , h e w h o c r e a t e d all o f t h i s . T h a t is t h e r e a s o n w h y t h e w o r l d w a s f o r m e d a s a round shape".

20

Dixit pleps Ebreica: "A q u e s t i o n : W h a t w a s i n t h e r o u n d m u l t i f o r m circuit w h i d i w a s the basis o f the world?"

21

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e replied: " I n theorbital circuit f o r m i n g t h e m a t t e r o f the w o r l d w e r e cold a n d heat, light a n d dark, h e a v i n e s s a n d lightness, wet a n d d r y , high a n d l o w , bitter a n d mild, s t r o n g a n d w e a k , t h e r o a r o f t h e s e a a n d t h e s o u n d o f t h u n d e r , t h e s c e n t o f fiowers, t h e chant o f angels, a n d pillars o f fire".

22

" A i l o f t h e s e w e r e in t h e r o u n d m u l t i f o r m m a s w h i c h w a s f o r m e d f r o m the matter of the u n i v e r s e " , said he. " T h e r e the m a k i n g s o f hell w e r e g e n e r a t e d a l s o , f o r hell w a s n o t c r e a t e d in t h e first p l a c e u n t i l t h e archangel transgressed a n d e v a d e d the law o f the King w h o h a d c r e a t e d h i m a l o n g w i t h t h e i r m u m e r a b l e h o s t of a n g e l s . U p t o t h e n hell w a s n o t c r e a t e d " , h e s a i d , " b u t t h e m a t e r i a l f o r it e x i s t e d in g e n r a i s i n the circular multiform m a s s out of which w a s fashioned the earth, a n d

114

IR'SM B I B L I C A L

APOCRYPHA

all t h e r a c e s o f t h e w o r l d . A n d if t h e a n g e l s w h o s i n n e d h a d m a i n t a i n e d t h e n a t u r e in w h i c h t h e y w e r e c r e a t e d , a n d t h e i r a n g e l i c b r i g h m e s s , t h e m a t e r i a l o f hell w o u l d h a v e b e e n c o n v e r t e d i n t o a b e a u t i f u l b r i l l i a n t k i n g d o m , like the kingdom of the holy angels". 23

T h i s , t h e n , is t h e w o r k o f t h e first d a y o n w h i c h G o d b e ^ n t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e w o r l d , licet scriptum

est: Qui uiuit in aetemum

creauit

omnia

simul.

24

Ariibilon alma sea sabne e bdioa flules elbiae limbae lasfania lire: quod didtur: Fecit quoque Deus firmamentum inter aquas et diuisH aquas erant super firmamentum ab his quae erant sub firmamento.

25

O n t h e s e c o n d d a y G o d m a d e t h e s u r r o u n d i n g v a u l t of t h e s e v e n heaveiw, a n d the h e a v e n l y waters. For the Lord k n e w at the time h e created the world that M a n w o u l d transgress the precept given h i m . T h u s a s c r e e n f o r h e a v e n w a s p l a c e d s o that m e n s h o u l d n o t f a c e directly o r look at the beatitude of heaven a n d the throne o f G o d .

26

Interrogauerunt misteria septem

27

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e replied: ' T h e seven heavens around the world a b o u t w h i c h y o u e n q u i r e a r e t h e s e : In t h e first p l a c e , t h e b r i g h t r a d i a n t h e a v e n w i t h c l o u d s w h i c h is n e a r e s t to y o u , f r o m w h i c h s h i n e s t h e m o o n a n d the scattering o f stars. There are two gleaming sparkling h e a v e n s a b o v e this, containing an a b u n d a n c e of angels, a n d the s p r e a d i n g w i n d s . A b o v e t h e s e is a c o l d i c y h e a v e n , b l u e r t h a n e v e r y bright colour, seven times colder than s n o w . F r o m this the s u n shines. A b o v e that a r e t w o f u r t h e r b e a u t i f u l b r i g h t h e a v e n s f r o m w h i c h s h i n e t h e f i e r y c o n s t e l l a t i o n s w h i c h b r i n g f m i t f u l n e s s to t h e s e a . T h e r e is a f i e r y g r e a t h e a v e n o v e r t h e s e , t h e h i g h e s t o f t h e m a l l , o n w h i c h the h e a v e n l y o r b i t is s e t It is a s u n n y b l a z i n g h e a v e n , in w h i c h w o r k consists of musical h a r m o n y and choral singing of angels".

28

" I n the zones of the seven heavens are hidden the twelve quivering a n i m a l s , i n t h e i r h e a v e n l y b o d i e s , t o p p e d w i t h fiery h e a d s , w h i c h b l o w twelve w i n d s around the w o r l d . In the s a m e zones sleep the d r a g o n s with fiery breath, towering-headed d r a g o n s with diseased s i d e s , w h i c h set i n m o t i o n t h e r u m b l i n g o f t h u n d e r , a n d e m i t f l a s h e s

plebes Ebreorum: "Indica nobis ?wfuras abscondilas caelorum et quinque zonas quae circuerunt caelos".

latine quae

et

23.

THE EvF.RXEW TONGUF.

115

o f l i g h t n i n g f r o m tho p u p i l s o f t h e i r e y e s . Z o n e s c i r c l e a r o u n d h e a v e n " , h e told t h e m , " a n d h e a v e n h a s s e v e n o r b i t s a r o u n d t h e e a r t h " . 29

" i n t h e first p l a c e , t h e r e i s a c o l d i c y z o n e w h e r e s e a s a r e a s s u m e d u n d e r t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e n o r t h e r l y p a r t o f h e a v e n . T h e r e is a n o t h e r c o l d icy z o n e which links together t h e b e a s t s u n d e r the sea a n d those u n d e r the southern side of the w o r l d , in the place w h e r e w e r e set t h e n i n e f i e r y p i l l a r s to t h e s o u t h o f h t s v e n . T h e r e is a s p l e n d i d n o b l e z o n e o f t h e w o r l d w h i c h n o u r i s h e s t h e m a n y f r u i t s o f t h e e a r t h u n t i l t h e y rise u p a r o u n d t h e w o r l d f r o m i t s d e p t h s in t h e w e s t . T h e r e a r e t w o o t h e r b e a u t i f u l m i l d z o n e s in w h i c h i s t h e f o m e n t w h i c h p r o d u c e s h e a t a n d c o l d , a n d c a u s e s m a n y a f f l i c t i o n s o n t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e e a r t h o n all sides".

30

"Aihne fisen asbae fribae flanis lia sieth: O n t h e t h i r d d a y G o d c r e a t e d l a k e s a n d m a n y s e a s , v a r i o u s k i n d s o f w a t e r s , a n d m a n y f o r m s o f salt s e a , a s w e l l a s t h e c i r c u m f e r e n c e o f t h e e a r t h , w i t h i t s level l a n d s a n d m o u n t a i n s , its w o o d l a n d s , i t s p r e c i o u s s t o n e s , a n d its v a r i e d t r e e s " .

31

Interrogauerunt sapientes Ebriorum: "Indica nobis multa genera et misteria maris". T h e E v e r n e w T o n g u e r e p l i e d : ' T h e r e a r e t h r e e o c e a n s o f s e a a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . In t h e first p l a c e is a s e a w i t h s e v e n f o r m s u n d e r t h e s i d e s o f t h e e a r t h , a g a i n s t w h i c h hell r u m b l e s , a n d r a i s e s a n o i s e a r o u n d t h e v a l l e y . A l i m p i d b l u e salt s e a s u r r o u n d s t h e w o r l d o n all s i d e s , w h i c h s e t s f l o o d a n d e b b in m o t i o n , a n d c a s t s u p m a n y fruit. T h e t h i r d o c e a n is a f l a m i n g s e a . F r o m t h e h e a v e n s a r e s e n t f o r t h n i n e w i n d s w h i c h a r o u s e it f r o m i t s s l u m b e r . I t s w a v e s s i n g f o u r h u n d r e d a n d s e v e n t y m e l o d i e s a f t e r it h a s b e e n a w a k e n e d . In i t s w a v e - c a l l it r e s o u n d s l i k e t h u n d e r . F r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f the w o r l d it d o e s n o t c e a s e f r o m f l o o d i n g , y e t it i s n e v e r a t full t i d e e x c e p t o n S u n d a y . O n S u n d a y it f a l l s a s l e e p , until t h e s o u n d o f t h e w i n d s a w a k e w i t h t h e c o m i n g on S u n d a y of G o d from heaven, a n d with the h a r m o n y of the angels a b o v e i t . . . " .

32

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e w a s h e a r d t o s a y : "Aim fas uide nistien dime ama faus eiobi reba : O n t h e f o u r t h d a y G o d c r e a t e d t h e s e v e n t y - t w o k i n d s of stars which traverse heaven, along with the fiery orbit o f tho sun, w h i c h h e a t s t h e w o r l d w i t h t h e s w i f t n e s s of t h e w i n d , a n d w i t h t h e skill a n d s p l e n d o u r o f a n g e l s . It i l l u m i n a t e s t w e l v e p l a i n s a l o n g t h e

116

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

e a r t h ' s s i d e s . I t s light e v e r y n i g h t m a k e s a c i r c u i t b y w h i c h t h e fiery s e a is w a r n i e d , a n d a t w h i c h h o s t s o f a n g e l s rejoice...". 33

Interrogauerunt

sapientes

Ebreorum:

"Tell us about the twelve plains

b e n e a t h t h e e a r t h ' s s i d e s , f o r w h i c h the s u n s h i n e s to g i v e light e v e r y night, for w e a r e ignorant o f this k n o w l e d g e " . 34

T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e r e p l i e d : " T h i s is w h e r e t h e s u n goes a t s u n - s e t e v e r y n i g h t : I n t h e first p l a c e it i l l u m i n a t e s t h e t r a n s m a r i n e river a n d t h e e a s t e m p a r t o f t h e o c e a n s . T h e n it l i g h t s u p t h e g r e a t fiery s e a a t n i g h t , a n d t h e s u l p h u r o u s s e a s a r o u n d t h e red l a n d s . T h e n it s h i n e s o n t h e h o s t s o f y o u t h s i n t h e p l a y i n g fields, w h o c r y o u t t o h e a v e n i n f e a r o f the beast w h i c h kills m a n y t h o u s a n d s of people u n d e r the w a v e s to t h e s o u t h . T h e r e a f t e r it i l l u m i n a t e s t h e m o u n t a i n w i t h s t r e a m s o f fire which traverse the earthen plains with their a c c o m p a n y i n g hosts. T h e n it s h i n e s o n t h e lair o f t h e w h a l e w h o m t h e t w e n t y - f o u r c h a m p i o n s o p p o s e , r e s p o n d i n g [firom] t h e v a l l e y o f p a i n .

35

A f t e r t h a t it s h i n e s i n f r o n t o f t h e f e a r s o m e f e n c e e n c l o s i n g t h e h o s t o f h e l l i n t h e n o r t h . It s h i n e s in t h e d a r k v a l l e y s w i t h t h e p l a i n t i v e s t r e a m s o n t h e i r s u r f a c e s . T h e n it i l l u m i n a t e t h e l a i r o f t h e b e a s t w h i c h c o n v e y s t h e m a n y s e a s a r o u n d t h e s i d e s o f t h e e a r t h i n every d i r e c t i o n , a n d w h i c h s u c k s i n t h e s e a s a g a i n , l e a v i n g d r y s h o r e s o n e v e r y s i d e . It s h i n e s , m o r e o v e r , o n t h e fiery m o u n t a i n f o r m e d f r o m t h e fire o f d o o m f o r t h e d e s t m c t i o n o f e v e r y c r e a t e d t h i n g . It s h i n e s o n t h e m a n y thousands w h o , from the beginning of the worid, sleep the s a d sleep i n t h e v a l l e y o f t h e flowers. It i l l u m i n a t e s t h e s o r r o w f u l t e a r f u l p l a i n w i t h t h e d r a g o n s p l a c e d i n its g l o o m . T h e n it l i g h t s u p t h e flocks o f birds which sing together the m a n y melodies in the valleys o f the flowers. It s h i n e s o n t h e r a d i a n t p l a i n s w i t h t h e b r i g h t fiowers w h i c h i l l u m i n a t e t h e v a l l e y . F i n a l l y it s h i n e s in t h e d i r e c t i o n o f A d a m ' s P a r a d i s e until it rises a g a i n f r o m t h e e a s t in t h e m o r n i n g . . . " .

36

"Alimbeafonesarifeaste.boia filensalmibia libe lib ebile nab leafabe: O n t h e fifth d a y G o d c r e a t e d t h e s e v e n t y - t w o k i n d s o f b i r d - f l o c k s , a n d t h e s e v e n t y - t w o k i n d s o f b e a s t s o f t h e s e a . E a c h s p e c i e s h a d its o w n particular form, habits, and nature.

37

Firstly, there are the birds of the island of Nabotii. There has not shone

23.

THE

EVEEINEW TONGUE

117

on earth a colour or radiance which d o e s not shine from their wings. T h e y s h e d t e a r s in c o l d a n d s n o w . T h e y r e j o i c e in t h e h e a t a n d brightness of s u m m e r . T h e y a w a k e n a l w a y s at midnight, a n d sing melodies sweet as harpstrings. 38

A s f o r t h e b i r d s o f S a b e s , t h e i r w i n g s s h i n e at n i g h t - t i m e l i k e l i g h t e d c a n d l e s . A n y a f f l i c t i o n w h i c h is t o u c h e d b y t h e i r w i n g s o r b y t h e i r s h a d o w w h e n i n flight i s c u r e d . T h e y a s s u m e a t o r p i d i n e r t i a i n t h e season o f winter a n d cold, a n d they a w a k e n al May-day. In their slumbers they sing gentle music like the sound o f w i n d .

39

T h e r e are the birds of A b u a d , in the islands between the east o f Africa and the heavens. There has not appeared o n earth a beautiful colour w h i c h has not radiated from their wings, and no feather or p l u m a g e h a s fallen f r o m t h e m since the b e g i n n i n g o f the w o r l d , yet the a m o u n t of their p l u m a g e h a s n o t i n c r e a s e d . T h e fragrance a n d scent of flowers, a n d t h e t a s t e o f t h e s e v e n rivers o f w i n e w h i c h t r a v e r s e t h e b r i g h t p l a i n s is w h a t s u f f i c e s t h e m f o r f o o d s i n c e t h e c r e a t i o n . T h e y d o n o t c e a s e f r o m s i n g i n g i n h a r m o n y , a n d t h e y a r e n o t w e a r i e d until midnight brings the chant of the angels from a cloud.

40

T h e three bird-flocks are distributed thus, seventy thousand and s e v e n t y - t w o b i r d s in e a c h flock. At m i d n i g h t t h e first flock r a i s e s its c r y . It p r a i s e s G o d b y m e a n s o f its s o n g , a n d t e l l s o f t h e w o n d e r f u l innumerable mysteries created b y the Lord from the beginning o f the w o r l d to D o o m s d a y .

41

A t t h e e n d o f t h e n i g h t c o m e s t h e final b i r d - f l o c k . W i t h s e v e n f o l d m e l o d y it tells o f t h e d i n to d e s c e n d o n t h e w o r l d w i t h t h e f e a r o f D o o m s d a y . T h e n it will r e l a t e t h e s e v e n t y - f o l d d i v i s i o n o f p u n i s h m e n t t o t h o s e w h o m e r i t it, a n d will d e s c r i b e t h e s e v e n t y - t w o s e a t s in t h e h e a v e n l y m a n s i o n s f o r all w h o d e s e r v e t h e m .

42

Et diresir alba sibe aim me lis: If t h e r a c e o f A d a m s h o u l d h e a r t h e m u s i c of those birds, they w o u l d not b e parted from the sound gladly or with p l e a s u r e , b u t r a t h e r w i t h g r i e f , l o n g i n g , a n d s a d n e s s , until t h e y d i e from weeping.

43

Efi lia lasienferosafilera

leus dissia

nimbile

nue buafaune

intoria

iebnae,

id

118

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

^t: Fackmus hominem ad imaginem et ad simiUtudinem nostram, piscibus mariss et uolatilibus cell et bestJs uniuersae terrae.

et

praesit

S u c h is t h e b o u n t i f u l p o w e r o f t h e L o r d t h a t , a f t e r t h e t r e s p a s s , t h e r e were twenty-four types a m o n g A d a m ' s descendants".

24. TRANSITUS MARIAE O n a c e r t a i n o c c a s i o n . M a t y , m o t h e r o f t h e Lorci, w a s c h a n t i n g h e r psalms, a n d praying, having completed forty-seven years since the S a v i o u r h a d a s c e n d e d to h e a v e n . It w a s t h e n t h a t C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d , c a m e f r o m t h e a n g e l s o f h e a v e n to s e e k o u t M a r y , h i s m o t h e r , a n d h e said: " O M a r y , take this p a l m in y o u r h a n d , s i n c e the e n d o f y o u r life is d r a w i n g n e a r , a n d i t h i n k it t i m e to b r i n g y o u to e v e r l a s t i n g r e s t . 1 w i l l , i n d e e d , s e n d all t h e a p o s t l e s to m e e t y o u r b o d y , a n d t h e y will n o t p a r t f r o m y o u until y o u a r e b o r n e i n t o t h e h e a v e n l y k i n g d o m of repose and eternal joy". T h e n M a r y t o o k t h e p a l m from h e r s o n , a n d s a i d : ' T h i s p a l m w h i c h y o u g a v e m e , b e l o v e d s o n , o n c e p e o p l e s e e t h a t I h a v e it, t h e i r a n g e r a n d e n v y will rise a g a i n s t m e " . J e s u s t h e n s a i d t o M a r y : " D o n o t b e a f r a i d o r f e a r f u l o f t a k i n g t h e p a l m from m e , s i n c e g r e a t w o n d e r s a n d m i r a c l e s will b e p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h it i n J e r u s a l e m " . W h e n M a r y heard those w o r d s she took the p a l m in her h a n d , a n d the Saviour went towards the beautiful M o u n t 0 1 i v e t , a n d a s h e d r e w near t h e m o u n t a i n s h e s a w a s h i n i n g i m a g e l i k e a fire u p o n t h e M o u n t . A n d t h e n , a s C h r i s t a n d h i s h o l y m o t h e r fraversed t h e m o u n t a i n , all o f its trees b o w e d d o w n o n every side about the paths a n d w a y s which they w e r e traversing, lowering their topmost branches a n d adoring the resplendent palm held by the Virgin Mary. Thereupon M a r y rejoiced g r e a t l y , a n d s h e s a i d to J e s u s : " I t i s e v i d e n t t h a t all t h e trees a r e a d o r i n g y o u a n d h o n o u r i n g t h e p a l m w h i c h is in m y h a n d . A n d n o w it i s c l e a r l y m a n i f e s t to m e that y o u a r e C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d , c o m e f r o m h e a v e n to f i n d m e , s i n c e n o b o d y e l s e h a s p o w e r to d o t h e s e t h i n g s , b u t y o u y o u r s e l f , J e s u s " . C h r i s t s a i d to M a r y : " D i d y o u n o t , o n a f o r m e r occasion, see m y miracle at the time w h e n y o u a n d J o s e p h w e n t into E g y p t in f l i g h t f r o m H e r o d ? Y o u c a m e to t h e d e s e r l in w h i c h t h i s p a l m w a s , a l o n g w i t h t h e o t h e r t r e e s . Y o u s a i d to J o s e p h ; ' W e a r e h u n g r y a n d w e n o w h a v e n o t h i n g t o e a t in t h i s d e s e r t t o w h i c h w e h a v e c o m e ' . I w a s t h e n a n i n n o c e n t c h i l d in y o u r a r m s . J o s e p h t o l d y o u t h e n t h a t h e 119

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h a d n o t h i n g to r e l i e v e y o u r h u n g e r e x c e p t t h e fruit o n t h e p a l m w h i c h h e s a w s t a n d i n g a l o n e in t h e d e s e r t . J o s e p h s a i d : ' N o n e o f t h e s e t r e e s h a s a n y fruit s a v e t h e p a l m - t r e e a l o n e , a n d I c a n n o t c l i m b t h a t o n a c c o u n t o f its h e i g h t . I a d v i s e y o u l o b r e a s t - f e e d y o u r s o n lest h e b e h u n g r y along with us. A s w e a r e convinced that the child was conceived through the p o w e r o f the Holy Spirit, m a y the H o l y Spirit s a v e h i m f r o m h u n g e r , a n d m a y h e s h o w m e r c y to u s w h o will r e a r h i m ' . T h e n , O m o t h e r , J o s e p h s a i d to y o u i n t h e d e s e r t w h e r e t h e t h r e e o f u s w e r e o n M o u n t O l i v e t : ' G r e a t is m y h u n g e r ' . I, a c h i l d i n y o u r a r m s , said lo Joseph: 'What, dear father, prevents you f r o m climbing t h e t r e e to g e t t h e fruit f o r m y m o t h e r to e a t ? B e l i e v e this, a n d all t h a t I tell y o u , s i n c e it is I w h o w i l l n o u r i s h y o u , a n d e v e r y o n e i n t h e w o r l d . I n d e e d , n o n e o f all t h o s e w h o will b e l i e v e in m e will g o h u n g r y ' . A n d t h e n , d e a r m o t h e r , t h e i n f a n t i n y o u r a r m s t u r n e d to f a c e t h e p a l m - t r e e a n d s a i d to it: ' B e n d d o w n y o u r u p p e r b r a n c h e s ' . It b o w e d d o w n i m m e d i a t e l y . I said t o i l : ' O g r e a t e s t o f t i i e t r e e s o f E ^ ^ t , a r i s e a n d raise y o u r noble and honourable branches before m e , by virtue of the generoias o b e d i e n c e which y o u s h o w e d m e in the desert. W i t h that, the p a l m rose u p before you a n d ascended into the air a n d into the firmament, and w a s d e p o s i l e d in Paradise'. W h o else, O Virgin M a r y , w o u l d have m o v e d the palm but I a l o n e ? " asked h e . " I b l e s s those w h o d o h o m a g e l o G o d , a n d 1 w i l l p l a c e t h e m in t h e a b o d e o f t h e j u s t w h e n their souls leave their bodies. I h a v e reminded y o u just n o w o f these I h i n ^ , O m o t h e r M a r y , lest y o u d i s b e l i e v e t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s I m a k e through m y m i r a c u l o u s p o w e r . W h e n y o u r soul leaves y o u r b o d y I w i l l c o m e a g a i n to s e e k y o u , w i t h a l e g i o n o f a n g e l s a n d a l ! t h e a p o s t l e s i n m y c o m p a n y , a s I h a v e p r o m i s e d y o u a l r e a d y , a n d t h e y will b e p r a y i n g o v e r y o u r b o d y , a n d I will a s s u r e d l y h e a r t h a t p r a y e r " . W h e n C h r i s t h a d s a i d t h e s e w o r d s l o M a r y a n d d e p a r t e d , M a r y t h e n sat d o w n , a n d J e s u s u n d e r s t o o d t h a t s h e w a s filled w i t h s a d n e s s a n d d e j e c t i o n . H e c a m e a g a i n to b r i n g h e r s o l a c e , a n d h e r h e a r t w a s filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit w h e n the Saviour c a m e into h e r p r e s e n c e . A n d M a r y s a i d to J e s u s : " E x t e n d y o u r g o o d n e s s to t h e apostles also, for at the e n d o f time there will b e false apostles a n d false l e a c h i n g , a n d y o u will h e a r t h e m . "

T h e n C h r i s t w e n t to h e a v e n , a n d M a r y p r o c e e d e d to h e r o w n h o u s e . A s s h e d r e w n e a r , a t h u n d e r o u s s h a k i n g s e i z e d t h e w h o l e h o u s e in a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t of t h e g l o r y a n d h o n o u r o f t h e p a l m w h i c h h a d

2 4 . TRANsmis MARIAC

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f o r m e r l y b e e n in t h e h a n d o f J e s u s . S h e w e n t i n t o t h e i n n e r m o s t r e c e s s o f the h o u s e a n d bathed a n d dressed in honour of the creator w h o h a d t i e e n s p e a k i n g to h e r . A n d s h e s a t d o w n a n d b e g a n to b l e s s h e r s o n , s a y i n g t o h i m : "I b l e s s y o u f o r h a v i n g c o m e o n e a r t h to m e f r o m h e a v e n . I b l e s s all w h o a r e in h e a v e n p r a i s i n g y o u c o n s t a n t l y . I b l e s s y o u for h a v i n g c h o s e n m e in heaven, a n d for ha ving accepted m y b o d y o n earth. I bless y o u for bringing m e into the heavenly k i n g d o m . M y s o u l a n d l i g h t will b e in t h e m i d s t o f t h e a n g e l s o f h e a v e n b e c a u s e y o u h a v e c o m e t o m e . [ A n d I b l e ^ ] all t h e d e e d s w h i c h y o u h a v e d o n e , s i n c e t h e y will e n d u r e f o r e v e r , a n d t h e d e v i l will h a v e n o p o w e r o v e r me". After M a r y had said these words, the heavenly father sent tidings a n d m e s s e n g e r s to h e r p i o u s a n d t r u s t w o r t h y n e i g h b o u r s . W h e n t h e y c a m e t o h e r , s h e s a i d to t h e m : " L e t y o u all listen to m e , f o r t h e r e a s o n y o u h a v e b e e n g a t h e r e d to m e i s that t o m o r r o w m y s p i r i t will l e a v e m e , a n d w i l l g o to t h e e t e r n a l k i n g d o m . U n t i l t h e n , let y o u l o o k a f t e r m e , f o r it is n o t g o l d o r s i l v e r w h i c h I s e e k from y o u b u t f e r v e n t p r a y e r s . A t t e n d w e l l a t m y d e a t h , a n d p r e p a r e m e f o r b u r i a l , a n d let e a c h o f y o u c a r r y a s h i n i n g l a m p , s i n c e t h a t is b e t t e r t h a n l a m e n t i n g a n d b e w a i l i n g t h e t r a n s i e n c e o f t h e w o r l d . I, f o r m y p a r t , w i l l b e a s a s t a r c o n t e n d i n g w i t h t h e d e v i l w h o is e n g a g e d i n t h e d e s f r u c t i o n o f t h e h u m a n r a c e . I a ^ u r e y o u that the devil h a s n o p o w e r o v e r the just, for t w o a n g e l s c o m e to m e e t t h e s o u l o f e v e r y p e r s o n a t t h e h o u r o f d e a t h , t h e a n g e l o f righteousness, a n d t h e a n g e l o f u i u i g h t e o u s n e s s . If a p e r s o n p e r f o r m s g o o d d e e d s w h i l e a l i v e , t h e a n g e l o f r i g h t e o u s n e s s will c o m e f o r h i s s o u l , a n d will t a k e it t o t h e a b o d e o f the just. H o w e v e r , if a p e r e o n d o e s e v i l , t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f hell a l o n g w i t h t h e d e v i l will c o m e f b r h i m . D e a r b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s " , s a i d M a r y , " let u s e n s u r e that t h a t t h e d e v i l h a s n o d w e l l i n g a m o n g s t u s , a n d t h a t h e h a s n o p o w e r OVCT U S " . G r e a t t r e m b l i n g a n d f e a r s e i z e d t h e v i r g i n s w h e n t h e y h e a r d thcrae words of M a r y , a n d they said: " O pre-eminent a m o n g the h u m a n race, a n d m o t h e r o f the s a v i o u r , if y o u w h o a r e o u r p r o t e c t o r a r e in f e a r o f t h e d e v i l , h o w s h a l l w e f a c e h i m ? F o r if t h e s h e p h e r d f l e e s b e f o r e t h e wolf, w h e r e shall the s h e e p g o ? " W h e n they h a d said this, they b e g a n t o w e e p a n d g r i e v e i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f M a r y a n d all w h o w e r e in t h e h o u s e . T h e n M a r y s a i d to t h e m : " B e silent a n d d o n o t d i s o b e y t h e L o r d " . T h e y all r o s e i m m e d i a t e l y a n d p r a y e d to t h e L o r d , a n d r e l a t e d

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C h r i s t ' s w o n d e r - w o r k i n g a n d m i r a c l e s in t h e p r e s e n c e o f M a r y . 7

A s they were speaking thus, John the Evangelist entered the place where Mary was, and when Mary saw John she sighed aloud deeply a n d could not restrain her grieving a n d sorrow. S h e said; " B e l o v e d f a t h e r , J o h n , d o y o u r e m e m b e r h o w t h e h o l y S a v i o u r e n t r u s t e d m e to you o n the day h e w a s crucified for the sake of the h u m a n race ? O n t h a t d a y y o u w e r e b e f o r e h i m , a n d I s a i d to h i m : ' it is e v i d e n t w h e r e y o u a r e g o i n g . T o w h o m d o y o u c o m m e n d m e , a n d in w h o s e c o m p a n y a r e y o u l e a v i n g I T « ; ? ' T l e a v e y o u in J o h n ' s c o m p a n y , a n d 1 e n t r u s t y o u to h i s c a r e ' . " A n d d o y o u r e m e m b e r , O J o h n , t h e c h a r g e w h i c h C h r i s t g a v e to m e o f y o u ? F o r y o u w e r e trustworthy a m o n g the apostles, a n d it w a s y o u w h o s l e p t a l o n g s i d e h i m o n t h e final n i g h t . " T h e n J o h n replied to M a r y and said: " W h a t do you wish y o u r disciple to d o ? " M a r y a n s w e r e d J o h n , a n d s a i d to h i m ; " I a s k o n l y t h a t y o u b e a t m y death-bed, a n d that y o u watch over m y b o d y , a n d d o not allow m e to go to heaven unattended. I myself heard s o m e of the J e w s proclaim that they w o u l d b u m m y b o d y w h e n m y soul s h o u l d depart f r o m m e , s a y i n g t h a t t h e y w o u l d [ i h u s i b e d o i n g t h e will o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e " .

8

N o w w h e n J o h n h e a r d t h a t it w a s o n t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y t h a t M a r y w a s t o g o t o h e a v e n , h e p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f o n t h e g r o u n d a n d wept bitterly, m o i s t e n i n g t h e e a r t h in f r o n t o f h i m . " O L o r d o f m e r c y " , s a i d h e , " w h y d o y o u p e r m i t u s to s u f f e r t h e t r i b u l a t i o n s a n d d i s t r e s s e s o f t h i s w o r l d , s i n c e w e a r e n o t a b l e t o e n d u r e t h e m ? " . M a r y s a i d to J o h n : " A r i s e a n d cease your weepingand sorrowing". A n d sheordered those who were i n t h e h o u s e to rise a n d c h a n t t h e i r p s a l m s , w h i l e s h e c o n v e r s e d a n d spoke with John before her death.

9

T h e n M a r y t o o k J o h n w i t h h e r to t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e to a n u n f r e quented place, a n d she told h i m of the clothes which s h e h a d prepared f o r h e r b u r i a l , a n d s h e s a i d to h i m : " Y o u k n o w t h a t I o w n n o n e o f t h e g a r m e n t s in m y h o u s e except m y burial-garments a n d these t w o tunics which are for the two virgins w h o are h e r e w i t h m e . I leave these a s a b e q u e s t to t h e m " . T h e n M a r y s h o w e d J o h n t h e p a l m w h i c h t h e S a v i o u r g a v e to h e r , a n d s h e s a i d to h i m : " i a s k y o u , d e a r J o h n , t h a t y o u t a k e t h i s p a l m f r o m m e a n d t h a t y o u p l a c e it o v e r m y b u r i a l - s i t e w h e n m y soul leaves m e " .

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J o h n t h e n a n s w e r e d M a r y a n d s a i d to h e n " I c a n n o t t a k e t h i s p a l m until t h e r e h a s b e e n a c o u n c i l o f all t h e o t h e r a p o s t l e s a b o u t i t, lest t h e r e s h o u l d b e e n v y o r j e a l o u s y a m o n g t h e o t h e r s o n a c c o u n t o f its b e i n g g i v e n to m e in p r e f e r e n c e to all o f t h e m , f o r a m o n g t h e a p o s t l e s t h e r e i s o n e w h o is c l o s e r to G o d t h a n m e b y v i r t u e o f o r d e r [ o f i n s t u t i o n j . L e t a l l t h e a p o s t l e s c o m e i n h i s c o m p a n y to t h i s p l a c e , so t h a t t h e y m a y pay you t h e h o n o u r l o which y o u areentitled, as y o u r s o n c o m m a n d e d them".

11

A f t e r J o h n h a d s a i d t h e s e w o r d s , a t t h a t h o u r a n d t i m e all t h e a p o s t l e s c a m e f r o m the various districts a n d cities w h e r e they h a d b e e n preaching the gospel. A n d they c a m e out of the clouds of heaven to the door of the house where the Virgin Mary was. T h e n there w a s a tumult i n t h e e l e m e n t s b e c a u s e o f t h e a s s e m b l i n g o f all t h e a p o s t l e s t o c o m e to M a r y ' s h o u s e . T h e first to e n t e r w a s t h e a p o s t l e P e t e r , t h e h c a d o f t h e C h i u t h , a n d after h i m was Paul, the v e s e l of election, he w h o , m o s t o f all, h a d l e d c o n t e m p o r a r i e s t o t h e f a i t h . A n d w h e n e a c h o f i h e m s a w t h e o t h e r h e w a s a m a z e d t o s e e h i s c o m p a n i o n . E a c h in t u m g r e e t e d t h e other, a n d they said:" W e give thanks to our heavenly Lord that h e h a s s u c h l o v e f o r u s that h e h a s b r o u g h t u s t o g e t h e r to t h e s a m e p l ^ c e , s i n c e it i s t h u s that t h e p r o p h e c y o f t h e c h i e f p r o p h e t , t h e s o n o f J o s e p h , is f u l f i l l e d , w h e n h e s a i d t h e s e w o r d s : 'Ecceqmm bonum et quam iocundum habitarefratres in unum'. ' W h a t i s m o r e d e l i g h t f u l t h a n a g a t h e r i n g o f t h e h o l y b r o t h e r s ' " . A n d all t h e a p o s t l e s s a i d : " L e t u s p r a y to oiu- L o r d t h a t h e may r e v e a l to u s w h y w e r e b r o u g h t h e r e " .

12

T h e n t h e a p o s t l e P e t e r a n s w e r e d t h e m , a n d s a i d to P a u l : " L e t y o u p r a y first t o t h e p o w e r f u l L o r d " . P a u l r e p l i e d to P e t e r : " H o w c o u l d I p r a y t o t h e L o r d in y o u r p r e s e n c e , f o r I a m t h e a p o s t l e w h o w a s latest to b e c h o s e n a m o n g y o u all ? I t i s n o t fitting for m e to p r a y t h e L o r d b e f o r e y o u . H o w e v e r , O P e t e r , y o u a r e t h e g r e a t e s t a n d m o s t s e n i o r o f all t h e a p o s t l e s " , s a i d P a u l . " L e t y o u p r a y to the L o r d o n o u r b e h a l f a n d o n y o u r o w n . W h i c h o f u s w o u l d v e n t u r e to m a k e i n t e r c e s s i o n to t h e L o r d w h e n y o u a r e p r e s e n t ? " T h e r e u p o n all t h e a p o s t l e s w e r e filled w i t h great joy because of Paul's plea.

13

T h e n P e t e r s a i d : " L e t u s a l l in u n i s o n b e s e e c h J e s u s , t h e s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d [to r e v e a l ] w h y it w a s g r a n t e d to u s [to b e in] t h i s p l a c e " . T h u s h e p r a y e d , l o w e r i n g h i s f a c e to t h e g r o u n d , a n d b e n d i n g h i s k n e e s , a n d

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h e b e g a n a n d s a i d : " O G o d almight)^', h e said, " w e are in y o u r orders o n heaven and on earth, you w h o defeated the devil and brought his p o w e r t o n o u g h t , a n d p e r f o r m e d [thisl w o n d e r . F o r y o u a r e o u r everlasting strength and our firm expectation. Father, Son, and Holy S p i r i t , w h o e x i s t e d , a n d e x i s t s , t h r o u g h t h e a g e s f o r e v e r " . T h e n all t h e afwstles responded to Peter and echoed his words. 14

T h e n j o h n c a m e t o w a r d t h c m a n d said: "Bless m e , d e a r b r o t h e r s " , said he. Peter and Andrew c a m e a n d replied lo John, saying: " D e a r John, o u r b e s t - l o v e d a m o n g t h e h u m a n r a c e , tell u s h o w y o u a r r i v e d h e r e " . J o h n replied, s a y i n g " W h e n I w a s in the city called E p h e s u s in the south-east o f the world in the territorira of Asia Minor, p r e a c h i n g with a c o m p a n y o f twenty-nine, a great cloud in the air c a m e t o w a r d s u s , a n d 1 h e a r d the voice of the Saviour in the cloud a b o v e . A n d w e w e r e r a i s e d u p a n d b r o u g h t h e r e , t o t h e h o u s e o f t h e V i r g i n M a r y a n d to all the holy people ". T h u s he conversed with the apostles, and said: " D e a r brothers, M a r y ' s death is close at h a n d . Let there b e n o w e e p i n g o r sorrow a m o n g u s , so that there m a y b e n o m u r m u r i n g o r perturbat i o n a m o n g t h e p e o p l e , b u t lei e a c h o f y o u u n i t e t o g e t h e r p r a i s i n g t h e L o r d . F o r J e s u s C h r i s t e n j o i n e d o n m e o n h i s final n i g h t t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e n o s a d n e s s o r g r i e f w h e n o n e o f u s s h o u l d g o to h e a v e n " .

15-17 T h e n J o h n a n d the apostles entered the house where M a r y w a s , a n d s a i d to h e r : Aue Mark grack . . . " H a i l to t h e e . V i r g i n M a r y , filled w i t h t h e g r a c e o f t h e H o l y S p i r i t . B l e s s e d is t h e f r u i t o f t h y w o m b " . M a r y a n s w e r e d , s a y i n g : " M a y G o d b e w i t h y o u . P r a y tell m e , O a p o s t i r a o f the Lord, h o w you have c o m e here, o r w h o has told you that I a m near d e a t h ? " T h e apostles then told her: " T h e p o w e r of the Lord transp o r t e d e a c h o f u s in t h e c l o u d s o f h e a v e n from t h e p l a c e s w h e r e w e were spreading the word of G o d " . Thereupon Mary rejoiced greatly a t t h e w o r d s o f t h e a p o s t l e s , a n d b e g a n to b l e s s h e r s o n , s a y i n g : " M y b l e s s i n g o n y o u , O s o n , lord o f all c r e a t i o n . N o w i s t h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f all y o u r r e c e n t p r o m i s e to m e , t h a t y o u w o u l d s e n d t h e a p o s t l e s l o m y obsequies". 18

T h e n M a r y t o o k t h e m to the i n n e r p a r t o f t h e h o u s e a n d s h o w e d t h e m her burial-garments a n d her shroud. O n the beginning of the third d a y , t h e final e n d o f d e a t h d r e w n e a r l o M a r y .

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19-21 A n d P e t e r s a i d t o aH t h e a p o s t l e s : " L e t e a c h m a n o f y o u h o l d a l i g h t e d l a m p i n h i s h a n d , s o t h a t w e m a y b e w o r t h y b e f o r e t h e S a v i o u r , a n d let n o n e o f y o u s a y t h a t t h i s is M a r ^ s d e a t h , b u t r a t h e r f h e r j e v e r l a s t i n g life a n d e t e r n a l g l o r y " . T h e n P a u l s a i d to P e t e r : " D e a r f a t h e r , d o y o u k n o w that I h a v e n e v e r s e e n t h e S a v i o u r in t h e f l e s h s i n c e I b e c a m e a b e l i e v e r , a n d I w o u l d l i k e C h r i s t to r e v e a l to m e s o m e o f t h e t e a c h i n g s and the miracles which he revealed to you o n Mount Olivet". " D e a r f a t h e r P a u l , " s a i d P e t e r , " w a i t y e t , f o r C h r i s t will c o m e to u s f o r M a r y ' s b o d y . For everything h e ever p r o m i s e d u s has b e e n well fulfilled". Paul then said to Peter: "If you wish to m a k e k n o w n the teaching of G o d t o m e , tell m e s o m e o f y o u r o w n t e a c h i n g s , s o t h a t 1 m a y f o l l o w t h e m for as long as I live". Peter said to Paul: " O P a u l " , said h e , " w h a t y o u s e e k i s g o o d . T h i s is t h e t e a c h i n g : ' H e w h o d o e s n o t fast e v e r y d a y will n o t a t t a i n t h e k i n g d o m o f G o d ' " . P a u l s a i d : " D e a r f a t h e r P e t e r " , s a i d h e , " d o n o t s a y t h a t , f o r t h e j x j o p l e will n o t a c c e p t s u c h t e a c h i n g b e c a u s e o f i t s s e v e r i t y . T h e y will r i s e u p a g a i n s t y o u , a n d will kill y o u , a n d will d o t h e d e v i l ' s s e r v i c e " . T h e n P a u l t u r n e d to J o h n a n d a s k e d h i m h o w h e w o u l d present the leaching s o thai the p e o p l e w o u l d a c c e p t it. J o h n r e p l i e d , s a y i n g : " H e w h o d o e s n o t a v o i d a l l evil w i l l n o t a t t a i n t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n " . P a u l s a i d l o J o h n ; " T h e p e o p l e will g i v e a b a d r e c e p t i o n to t h a t t e a c h i n g , a n d w i l l t h r e a t e n to s t o n e y o u o n account of the difficulty of the admonition". Then Paul said to And r e w ; " H o w shall the teaching b e e x p o u n d e d ? " A n d r e w replied, s a y i n g : ' T i e w h o d o e s n o t l e a v e f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r a n d s i s t e r a n d all h i s f r i e n d s f o r l o v e o f t h e S a v i o u r will n o t s e e tho k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n " . P a u l t h e n s a i d ; " T h e t e a c h i n g o f J o h n a n d o f P e t e r is e a s i e r t h a n t h a t , A n d r e w . T h e p e o p l e o f t h e p r e s e n t t i m e will n o t a c c e p t t h a t d i f f i c u l t c o u n s e l , for Just a s t o o g r e a t a b u r d e n i s not b e p l a c e d o n a n u n b r o k e n h o r s e , so a l s o o n e s h o u l d n o t m a k e e x c e ^ i v e d e m a n d s o n t h e p e o p l e until they acquire j u d g e m e n t " . Peter then said; " D e a r brother Paul, h o w d o y o u wish the teaching to b e set f o r t h ? " Paul replied, saying; " I s e e k f r o m t h e m i g h t y L o r d J t h e r e v e l a t i o n ] o f h o w to t e a c h in a m a n n e r t h a t t h e p e o p l e will b e r e c e p t i v e to m e , t h a t i s , b y s e t t i n g f o r t h t o l e r a b l e a d m o n i t i o n s , s u c h a s t h a t e v e r y o n e s h o u l d fast o n c e a w e e k . I n t h i s w a y , t h e y will n o t b e o v e r c o m e b y f a t i g u e o r w e a r i n e s s " . T h e n agreat rumblingca m e towards theapostles from thecloudsof heaven. It w a s C h r i s t , t h e s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d , I h e s a v i o u r o f t h e r a c e o f A d a m , w h o w a s c o m i n g from the sun-filled m a n s i o n s of heaven, a c c o m p a nied b y Michael the Archangel a n d his [angelic] orders. T h e y d e -

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s c e n d c d s i l e n t l y a n d n o i s e l e s s l y in t h e m i d s t o f t h e a p o s t l e s , w h o m C h r i s t g r e e t e d , s a y i n g : " H a i l , d e a r a p o s t l e s . I tell y o u t h a t y o u r t e a c h i n g , a s y o u h a v e p r o p o u n d e d it, will n o t b e a c c e p t e d , b u t t h e teaching of Paul will". A n d Christ asked the apostles: " W h y not free the w h o l e w o r i d from the snares a n d traps of the devil? Y o u should p r e s e n t l e n i e n t t e a c h i n g t o t h e p e o p l e s o t h a t it will b e a c c e p t e d f r o m y o u , f o r it i s a t t h e e n d o f t i m e t h a t s u c h t e a c h i n g w i l l h a v e i t s f u l f i l l m e n t " . T h e n C h r i s t s a i d to P a u l : " D o n o t b e s a d d e n e d o r g r i e v e d t h a t t h e a p o s t l e s d o n o t r e v e a l t h e d i v i n e m y s t e r i e s t o y o u , f o r i will reveal them to you a n d to M a r y " . T h e n Christ departed in a shining flame, a n d called Paul to him. W h e n J u d a s s a w Christ taking Paul with h i m lo heaven h e said; " O Jesus, son of the living G o d , y o u c a m e in h u m a n f o r m i n t o t h i s w o r l d , a n d f o r t h a t r e a s o n p e o p l e a r e n o t f r e e to m o v e ( f r o m it) e x c e p t a c c o r d i n g t o t h e m e r i t s o f e a c h . W h y , t h e n , a r e y o u t a k i n g w i t h y o u to h e a v e n t h i s m a n , P a u l , w i t h o u t h i s fighting a g a i n s t m e to a t t a i n h e a v e n a s d i d t h e o t h e r a p o s t l e s ? " " L e t h i m c o m e h e r e " , s a i d t h e d e v i l , " s o t h a t w e m a y fight, a n d find o u t w h i c h o f u s i s t h e s t r o n g e r . A n d if s t r e n g t h i s o n h i s s i d e , t a k e h i m w i t h y o u to h e a v e n , a n d s h o w h i m all t h e p a i n s in hell a n d t h e g l o r y o f h e a v e n " . J e s u s s a i d to P a u l : " A r i s e a n d d o b a t t l e , f o r I h a v e p r o m i s e d to b r i n g t o h e a v e n o n l y t h o s e w h o o v e r c o m e t h e d e v i l " . C h r i s t s a i d to P e t e r : " R i s e u p w i t h P a u l , a n d let y o u b o t h j o i n c o m b a t w i t h t h e d e v i l " . T h e t w o t h e n w e n t a n d f o u g h t t h e d e v i l , w h o fell a t t h e i r h a n d s . 22-23 Paul a n d Peter then c a m e along with the other apostles to the h o u s e in w h i c h the Virgin M a r y w a s , a n d n o m a n in the world could look on M a r y because of the radiance which surrounded her. Then a great v o i c e c a m e f r o m h e a v e n a n d s a i d to t h e m : " M y s t r e n g t h a n d m y p o w e r a n d I m y s e l f will b e with y o u until the e n d a n d c o n s u m m a t i o n o f the w o r l d " . M a r y a n d the apostles, on hearing the voice o f the Saviour, replied a l o u d : " W e bless y o u , O Lord, w h o guides and governs every s o u l " . T h e n M a r y w e n t to m a k e i n t e r c e s s i o n to t h e L o r d , a n d w h e n s h e had completed her prayers she entered the house, and lay o n her bed. A l l t h e a p o s t l e s w e r e a r o u n d h e r . It w a s t h e h o u r a f t e r m i d - d a y . T h e n t h e h o u s e w a s filled w i t h a g r e a t s o u n d a n d w i t h t h e f r a g r a n c e o f a n g e l s , s o t h a t e v e r y o n e w h o w a s i n s i d e fell a s l e e p to t h e s t r a i n s o f angelic music, except the apostles a n d the virgins. M a r y ordered these lo say their prayers.

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T h e r e u p o n Christ, son of the living G o d , c a m e with the angels o f h e a v e n , w h o w e r e s i n g i n g h e a v e n l y h a r m o n i c f o r t h e S a v i o u r , a n d in honour of Mary. Christ greeted the apostles, and Mary saluted him, s a y i n g : " I b l e s s y o u , s o n o f t h e h e a v e n l y f a t h e r . Y o u h a v e f u l f i l l e d all y o u r p r o m i s e s , and h a v e c o m e yourself [for m e ] " .

2 5 - 2 7 W h e n M a r y h a d f i n i s h e d s a y i n g t h e s e w o r d s , the spirit o f life d e p a r t e d f r o m h e r , a n d t h e S a v i o u r t o o k it i n h i s h a n d s w i t h r e v e r e n c e a n d h o n o u r . T h e archangels o f h e a v e n rose u p a r o u n d her, a n d the apostles s a w her being raised u p b y the angels, in h u m a n form, a n d seven times brighter than the sun. T h e n theapostles enquired whether there was a n y other soul as bright as the soul of Mary. Jesus answered, a n d s a i d t o P e t e r : " A l l s o u l s a r e like t h a t a f t e r b a p t i s m . W h e n in t h e w o r l d , the d a r k n e s s o f bodily sin adheres to t h e m . N o o n e else in the w o r l d i s a b l e t o a v o i d sin a s M a r y c o u l d , t h e r e f o r e M a r y ' s s o u l i s b r i g h t e r t h a n t h e s o u l o f e v e r y o t h e r p e r s o n in t h e w o r l d " . 28

T h e n Jesus said to Peter: " P u t her shroud around the b o d y of M a r y , a n d t a k e it to t h e left s i d e o f t h e c i t y , f o r t h e r e is t h e b u r i a l - p l a c e o f A n n a , h e r o w n m o t h e r . P l a c e h e r in t h a t g r a v e a n d w a t c h o v e r it, a s I h a v e ordered y o u " . A s Jesus h a d said these w o r d s , the b o d y of M a r y s p o k e a n d said: " A r e y o u m i n d f u l , O L o r d , of the full preservation o f m y r e m a i n s , a c c o r d i n g to p r o p h e c y ? " J e s u s r e p l i e d to M a r y ' s b o d y a n d s a i d to h e r : " I will n o t l e a v e y o u " , s a i d h e , " s i n c e y o u w e r e m y temple of safe-keeping, O eternal m o t h e r , the p u r e I r e ^ u r y in w h i c h t h e b o d y o f the L o r d w a s c o n c e i v e d " . W h e n Christ had c o m p l e t e d this e u l o g y o f h i s m o t h e r , M a r y a s c e n d e d to h e a v e n .

29-31 T h e n Peter and the other apostles, a n d the three virgins w h o w e r e looking after the body of Mary, took a w a y the remains of the holy m o t h e r o f the Lord with the dignity which she deserved. 3 2 - 3 5 P e t e r t o o k t h e p a l m a n d s a i d to J o h n : " D e a r f a t h e r , " s a i d h e , " s i n c e you are the youngest a m o n g us, bear the palm before us, a n d c o m m e n c e t h e p r a i s e o f t h e L o r d " . J o h n r e p l i e d to P e t e r : " Y o u a r e o u r father, our chief apostle, our teacher, a n d the head of the holy C h u r c h . Let y o u precede u s " . Then Peter rose and began the psalm. T h u s w a s t h e s o u l o f M a r y b o r n e i n t h e m i d s t o f a n g e l s into t h e d o u d s o f h e a v e n , a n d h e r b o d y o n e a r t h b o r n e b y t h e a p o s t l e s to i t s b u r i a l - p l a c e .

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36-37 W h e n the Jewish people a n d a n impious leader of the priests heard the apostles chanting their psalms over t h e b o d y o f M a r y , a n d t h e weeping of h e r friends lamenting her, then the leader o f the Jewish priests rose u p , [incited b y ] t h e attacker o f t h e h u m a n race, t h e u p h o l d e r o f e v e r y evil a n d o b s t r u c t o r o f e v e r y g o o d . H e s a i d t o h i s people: " L e t t h e aposties b e slain, a n d the b o d y o f M a r y burnt, since it w a s s h e w h o b o r e t h e d e c e i v e r w h o c a m e a m o n g s t y o u " . "ITie J e w i s h people c a m e then with v e n o m o u s s w o r d s a n d broad harshly-pointed s p e a r s t o kill t h e a p o s t l e s . 38

T h e r e u p o n their sight w a s banished from their eyes, a n d strength from their h a n d s , a n d m o v e m e n t from their feet, so that the J e w s h a d n o m e a n s o f g u i d a n c e a s to w h e r e w h e y should g o .

39

Y e t t h e p o w e r o f t h e d e v i l w a s [still] a m o n g t h e m , s o t h a t o n e o f t h e m sprang violently forward to break the palm which w a s in the h a n d o f J o h n , the b e l o v e d disciple, a n d to knock d o w n the b o d y o f M a r y f r o m the bier o n which it lay. H e stretched his hands towards the bier. I n d e e d h e d i d n o t fail t o g r a s p it, for h i s h a n d s s e p a r a t e d f r o m h i s b o d y a n d a d h e r e d to t h e bier.

40-44 T h e n the J e w shrieked a n d cried most piteously, a n d b e g a n l o b e s e e c h t h e L o r d a n d t h e a p o s t l e s to h e l p h i m . P e t e r a n s w e r e d h i m a n d s a i d : " I f y o u b e l i e v e t h a t it i s J e s u s w h o c a n s a v e y o u , y o u will b e h e a l e d i n b o d y a n d i n m i n d b y h i m " . " I b e l i e v e " , s a i d h e , " t h a t it w a s J e s u s w h o m o u r faith r e j e c t e d w h e n w e c r u c i f i e d h i m o u t o f j e a l o u s y and e n v y " . Peter said: " I f y o u believe wholeheartedly, g o a n d greet M a r y , a n d kiss the bier on w h i c h her b o d y lies. T h e n y o u w i l l b e m a d e w h o l e " . T h e J e w did a s Peter told h i m , a n d h e w a s healed through t h e miracles o f M a r y a n d the apostles because he m a d e fervent repentance. 4 5 - 4 6 T h e n P e t e r s a i d t o t h e J e w : ' T a k e t h i s p a l m in y o u r h a n d a n d g o i n t o t h e c i t y . L e t e v e r y o n e w h o h a s l o s t t h e u s e o f e y e s , h a n d s o r feet a f f i r m b e l i e f in J e s u s C h r i s t , s o n o f t h e l i v i n g G o d . T h e n t o u c h t h e m w i t h t h e palm, a n d they w i l l b e m a d e whole through the miracles o f G o d " . Following Peter's instnaction, h e went to the Jewish people, a n d told t h e m h o w h e h a d b e e n healed, a n d said to t h e m : " E v e r y o n e w h o b e l i e v e s a s I b e l i e v e d will b e m a d e w e l l " . T h e p e o p l e o f t h e d ty d i d a s

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they w e r e advised, a n d they recovered, and believed in G o d a n d in the apostles. 47

48

T h e n the apostles took the b o d y of M a r y to b e buried, and placed themselves a r o u n d the grave as Christ h a d c o m m a n d e d them. T h e r e after j e s u s c a m e with the angels of heaven along with h i m , and said to them: " M y peace a n d strength and p o w e r b e with y o u " , he said. Michael then told his c o m p a n y lo raise u p the b o d y of M a r y into the c l o u d s . A s t h e a n g e l s lifted u p t h e b o d y , C h r i s t s a i d to t h e a p o s t l e s : " C o m e u p close to m e " .

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A n d t h u s t h e y w e n t l o h e a v e n a l o n g w i t h t h e S a v i o u r , w h o s a i d to them: " G o to A d a m ' s paradise". W h e n the apostles reached Paradise they found the b o d y o f M a r y before Ihem, u n d e r the tree of life. Her s o u l w a s r e s t o r e d a g a i n to h e r b o d y .

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T h e n t h e a p o s t l e s s a i d lo]esus:"Oncc upon a t i m e w h e n w e were w i t h y o u w e a s k e d to h a v e h e l l s h o w n to u s " . A n d J e s u s s a i d to t h e m : " Y o u w i l l b e t h e w o r s e f o r s e e i n g i t " . " W e will n o t l e a v e y o u w i t h o u t a s i g h t o f i t " , t h e y s a i d . " Y o u p r o m i s e d to r e v e a l it t o u s o n t h e d a y w h e n M a r y ' s b o d y c a m e l o i t s r e s t i n g - p l a c e . T h e n J e s u s s a i d t o I h e m : " I will s h o w h e l l t o y o u if t h a t i s y o u r w i s h " . " It i s , i n d e e d " , t h e y s a i d . W h e n they had ceased speaking a great cloud c a m e lo them, which b o r e the apostles a n d Michael a n d the Virgin M a r y along with the Saviour lo t h e e n t r a n c e o f h e l l . T h e y w e r e l o w e r e d to t h e g r o u n d t h e r e , a n d J e s u s s a i d : " L e t hell b e o p e n e d f o r u s " . A n d it w a s o p e n e d i m m e d i a t e l y .

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W h e n t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f hell s a w J e s u s b e f o r e t h e m , w i t h t h e a p o s l l r a , M a r y a n d Michael, they b e g a n l o w e e p , a n d said; " O Michael, y o u are o u r r u l e r , a n d w e l o o k to y o u to a c t o n o u r b e h a l f " . W h e n t h e a p o s t l e s s a w t h e p a i n s o f h e l l , t h e y c o u l d n o t b e a r to l o o k f u r t h e r a t t h e m . T h e n M i c h a e l t u r n e d h i s f a c e to t h e g r o u n d , a n d w e p t b i t t e r l y . A n d h e s a i d ; T feel a s if I m y s e l f a m s u f f e r i n g t h o s e p a i n s " . J e s u s s a i d to M i c h a e l : " R i s e u p a n d s t o p y o u r w e e p i n g , f o r t h o s e p e o p l e a r e not d e a r e r t o y o u t h a n to t h e i r m a k e r , n o r is y o u r m e r c y m o r e f a r - r e a c h i n g t h a n i s h i s " . " O M i c h a e l " , said J e s u s , " y o u are not justified in what y o u s a y , for I offered m y t)ody a n d blood for their sakes.You, h o w e v e r , O Michael, are p r a y i n g for t h e m only for the space of a single h o u r " , said J e s u s .

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ThenJesussaid:"Go,Michael,andshowtheapostlessomeofthepains o f h e l l " . M i c h a e l p o i n t e d o u t to t h e m p e o p l e w i t h fiery l u m p s i n t h e i r m o u t h s , w h o c o u l d n o t s p e a k e x c e p t to g r o a n a s t h e y s u f f e r e d t h e i r p a i n . P e t e r a s k e d M i c h a e l : " W h a t evil w a s p e r f o r m e d b y t h o s e w h o a r e in t h i s s t a t e ? " M i c h a e l a n s w e r e d a n d s a i d : " T h e y a r e l e a r n e d m e n w h o d i d not t h e m s e l v e s fulfill t h e t e a c h i n g w h i c h t h e y e n j o i n e d o n all o t h e r s " . T h e y s a w o t h e r p e o p l e in g r e a t p a i n , w i t h t h e i r h a n d s p e r p e t u a l l y a b l a z e , u n a b l e to l o o k u p to s e e k h e l p , w i t h little b u r n i n g l e e c h e s s u c k i n g a t t h e i r t h i g h s . " W h a t evil d i d t h a t g r o u p d o ? " , a s k e d Peter. Michael ariswered a n d said:"They are the priests w h o understand neither the w o r d s o f G o d nor the canons o f the L o r d , though they receive the Lord's b o d y , and w h o lack understanding of the w o r d s o f p e n a n c e to b e s a i d o v e r t h o s e w h o c o n f e s s t o t h e m " .

53

T h e aposties s a w o t h e r p e o p l e with b u r n i n g fettere o n their h a n d s a n d l e ^ , b e i n g s c o u r g e d b y d e m o n s . [ T h e y a s k e d ] w h a t evil t h e s e h a d d o n e . [They w e r e t o l d j : " T h e s e w e r e i m p i o u s e l d e r s w h o h a d m u c h w o r l d l y w e a l t h , y e t n e v e r g a v e a n y i n a l m s to t h e p o o r , b u t let it g o f r o m t h e m in u n p r o f i t a b l e v e n t u r e s . F o r that r e a s o n t h e y s u f f e r s u c h pains". T h e n the apostles s a w others with red-hot flaming s w o r d s through their tongues. " W h a t wrong-doing h a v e these c o m m i t t e d ? " , a s k e d P e t e r . " T h e y a r e u n j u s t j u d g e s w h o falsify d e c i s i o n s i n o r d e r t o receive rewards o r preferment", said Michael.

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J e s u s a n d M a r y c a m e t o t h e m t h e n a n d a s k e d M i c h a e l t o c e a s e to p o i n t o u t t h e p a i n s o f h e l l . W h e n t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f hell s a w M a r y a n d C h r i s t they l a m e n t e d , sasnng: " O M a r y , m o t h e r of the i l l u s t r i o u s o n e , i m p l o r e y o u r s o n to g r a n t u s r e l i e f f r o m o u r p a i n s " . C h r i s t a n s w e r e d t h e m a n d said: "I was crucified for y o u r sakes, m y side was p i e r c e d , a n d a c r o w n [of thorns] placed on m y h e a d . Y o u , h o w e v e r , rejected the ten c o m m a n d m e n t s o f t h e l a w o f G o d , in d e f i a n c e o f m y t e a c h i n g . W h y , therefore, should I grant you a r e c i t e ? " T h e n M a r y knell o n the g r o u n d , bared h e r right breast, a n d s h e d c o p i o u s tears on the earth , b e s e e c h i n g h e r s o n l o c o m e lo t h e a i d o f t h o s e i n h e l l . T h e n C h r i s t s a i d : " I n h o n o u r o f M a r y , o f t h e a p o s t l e s , a n d o f M i c h a e l , I will g r a n t t h e m a respite from their pains for three hours every Sunda)^'. Then J e s u s said: " L e t y o u close h e l l " . T h e y closed hell at his c o m m a n d .

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T h e b o d y o f M a r y w a s p l a c e d u n d e r the t r e e o f l i f e in P a r a d i s e , w i t h a heavenly host alongside, praising the Lord eternally .The apostles, h a v i n g left M a r y w i t h J e s u s , w e n t to t h e i r o w n l a n d s to s p r e a d t h e word of God.

25. IRISH TEXT OF Visio Sancti Pauli ' T h i s c o n c e m s Sunday, the day chosen b y G o d , when angels and archangels a r e m o s t joyous. T h e matter in question here is, w h o i s the person w h o asked G o d that the souls o f sinners receive on S u n d a y a g r e a t e r r e s p i t e t h a n ori a n y o t h e r d a y o f t h e w e e k ? It i s s a i d t h a t it w a s the apostle Paul, a n d Michael the archangel, when they went to see h e l l . F o r G o d h a d w i s h e d P a u l to s e e t h e p u n i s h m e n t s o f h e l l , a n d h e sent Michael the archangel along with h i m , a n d the tortures of hell were revealed to him"" I n front o f t h e e n f r a n c e to heil P a u l s a w a fiery t r e e , o n t h e b r a n c h e s of which m a n y siimer^' souls w e r e being tortured and cmcified- S o m e o f t h e m w e r e w e r e hanging b y their hair, s o m e b y the neck, others b y t h e h a n d s a n d f e e t , o t h e r s still b y t h e i r t o n g u e s . T h e n h e s a w a p i t o f fire, a b l a z e w i t h s e v e n f l a m e s , w i t h e x t r a o r d i n a r y h e a t in e v e r y o n e o f t h e m . T h e r e w e r e m a n y s o u l s b e i n g p u n i s h e d in t h i s . H e s a w s e v e n t o r t u r e s , m o r e o v e r , r o u n d a b o u t t h e p i t . T h e first o f I h e ^ w a s s n o w , t h e s e c o n d , i c e , t h e t h i r d , fire, t h e f o u r t h , b l o o d , t h e f i f t h , s e r p e n i s , t h e s i x t h , t h u n d e r , t h e s e v e n t h , s t e n c h . In t h a t pit w e r e t h e s o u l s o f s i n n e r s w h o d i d n o t d o p e n a n c e i n t h i s l i f e . S o m e o f them wereciying, wailing, a n d g r o a n i n g , o t h e r s s o u g h t d e a t h , w i t h o u t g e t t i n g it, f o r t h e s o u l never dies". " I n t h a t c a s e , d e a r b r e t h r e n " , s a i d t h e s a g e , " t h e r e i s reason l o f e a r t h e p l a c e w h e r e t h e r e is p e r p e t u a l d i s e a s e , g r i e f w i t h o u t j o y , h e a r t f e l t s i g h s , a n d a b u n d a n c e o f t e a r s . T h e r e is a w h e e l w i t h a t h o u s a n d s p o k e s , a n d e v e r y d a y it is s t m c k a t h o u s a n d t i m e s b y t h e d e v i l , a n d a t h o u s a n d s o u l s a r e t o r t u r e d o n e a c h o n e o f t h e s e o c c a s i o n s . T h e r e is a n o d i o u s b r o w n river, i n w h i c h t h e r e a r e a t h o u s a n d d e m o n i c b e a s t s , l i k e fish f r o m t h e d e p t h s o f t h e s e a , w h i c h m e r c i l e s s l y s w a l l o w t h e s o u l s o f s i r m e r s l i k e a w o l f d e v o u r s s h e e p . T h e r e is a b r i d g e o v e r t h a t river, o v e r w h i c h t h e righteous s o u l s p a s s w i t h o u t s t u m b l i n g . A n d all [ o t h e r ] s o u l s w h i c h t r a v e r s e it a t t a i n a n e n d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e i r o w n d e e d s . T h e r e a r e m a n y other terrible d w e l l i n g s prepared for 132

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b u r n i n g t h e s i n n e r s . A n d l i k e is a l o n g w i t h like t h e r e , a d u l t e r e r s w i t h o t h e r a d u l t e r e r s , t h i e v e s with o t h e r t h i e v e s , t h e u n r i g h t e o u s w i t h other unrighteous people. T h e m a n n e r in which each o n e gets across t h e b r i d g e o v e r t h e r i v e r is r e l a t i v e to h i s o w n a c t i o n s " . 4

Thereafter Paul s a w m a n y other dwellings in which i n n u m e r a b l e s o u l s w e r e b e i n g p u n i s h e d , s o m e u p to t h e i r k n e e s , s o m e u p to t h e i r n a v e l s , o t h e r s to t h e i r n e c k s , o t h e r s still, u p to t h e i r e y e b r o w s , b e i n g d o n e to d e a t h i n t h a t t o r t u r e . P a u l w e p t a n d s i g h e d g r e a t l y at t h e s i g h t , a n d h e asked M i c h a e l : " W h o a r e those suffering that pain u p to their k n e e s a n d u p to t h e i r n a v e l s ? " T h e a n g e l r e p l i e d t h a t t h o s e in p a i n to their k n e e s w e r e those w h o indulge in idle gossip a n d backbiting a b o u t t h e i r n e i g h b o u r s . T h o s e in p a i n to t h e i r n a v e l s w e r e a d u l t e r e r s w h o d i d n o t r e p e n t until t h e t i m e o f d e a t h . T h o s e i n p a i n u p t o t h e i r m o u t h s w e r e those church-goers w h o d o not listen attentively to the w o r d s o f G o d . T h o s e in p a i n u p l o t h e e y e b r o w s w e r e t h o s e w h o r e j o i c e a n d d e l i g h t in t h e i r n e i g h b o u r s ' r u i n .

5

T h e n P a u l s a w a n o t h e r p l a c e , full o f m e n a n d w o m e n w h o w e r e c o n s u m i n g their o w n tongues, a n d he asked Michael: " W h o are t h e s e ? " Michael said: " T h e y are usurers w h o exacted interest m e r c i lessly".

6.

Paul s a w yet another place then, in w h i c h w e r e m a i d e n s in black, clad in g a r m e n t s o f p i t c h a n d f i e r y s u l p h o r , w i t h s e r p e n t s , t o a d s , a n d o t h e r horrible creatures around their necks, a n d four d e m o n s with fiery horns surrounding them, and torturing them. T h e y were saying: " W e acknowledge y o u , O Son of the Heavenly Father, w h o redeemed the descendants of A d a m with y o u r o w n blood". Paul asked Michael: " W h o a r e the p e o p l e in this s t a t e ? " Michael replied that t h e y w e r e y o u n g girls w h o w e r e not chaste al the time of marriage, w h o h a d committed fornication with their o w n fathers a n d brothers, w h o a v o i d e d having infants, or w h o killed the infants, leaving t h e m to b e c o n s u m e d b y a n i m a l s , o r t h r o w i n g t h e m i n t o w a t e r to b e d r o w n e d " .

7

T h e r e a f t e r h e s a w m e n a n d worrum in a c o l d i c y p l a c e , w i t h f i r e b u r n i n g t h e m f r o m b e h i n d , a n d c o l d in t h e i r f a c e s p e r i s h i n g t h e m . Paul asked Michael: " W h o a r e t h e s e ? " H e replied: " T h e y a r e those w h o r e v i l e a n d p u t to s h a m e w i d o w s a n d p o o r p e o p l e " .

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H e then s a w m e n a n d w o m e n at the water's e d g e , suffering from thirst a n d h u n g e r , w i t h m u c h ripe fruit in f r o n t o f I h e m , b u t t h e y c o u l d n o t t a s t e it. P a u l a s k e d M i c h a e l w h o w a s i n t h i s c o n d i t i o n . M i c h a e l s a i d : " T h o s e a r e p e o p l e w h o d i d n o t f a s t o r a b s t a i n a t the p r o p e r t i m e " .

9

T h e y also s a w elderly m e n w e e p i n g a n d lamenting in the m i d s t of four d e m o n s w h o were torturing them. Paul asked Michael: " W h o are t h e s e ? " H e r e p l i e d : " T h e y a r e i m p i o u s b i s h o p s w h o d i d n o t fulfil t h e l a w o f G o d , w h o w e r e not chaste in their bodies, a n d w h o w e r e covetous, haughty, a n d e n v i o u s in w o r d a n d thought. F o r three reasons they suffer these inuneasurable tormente until the D a y of J u d g e m e n t " . Paul wept then, a n d said: " W o e to the sinners that they w e r e e v e r b o m " . A n d M i c h a e l s a i d to h i m : " W h y d o y o u w e e p ? F o r y o u h a v e n o t y e t s e e n t h e g r e a t e s t p u n i s h m e n t s in h e l l " .

10

T h e n Michael s h o w e d Paul a fearful pit, a n d said to h i m : " R e m a i n standing here, and endure what you hear as best y o u can". Paul did t h i s . T h e p i t w a s w i d e o p e n , a n d a h o r r i b l e f e t i d s t e n c h r o s e f r o m it, w h i c h e x c e e d e d all t h e p a i n s o f hell i n its a w f u l n e s s . M i c h a e l s a i d t o P a u l : " W h o e v e r i s p u t i n t h a t pit will n e v e r b e i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f G o d e i t h e r b e f o r e o r a f t e r t h e j u d g e m e n t " . P a u l a s k e d M i c h a e l : " W h o is c o n s i g n e d t h e r e ? " Michael said that they w e r e those w h o d i d not believe that Christ w a s crucified lo save the race of A d a m , those w h o d i d not receive the b o d y o f Christ, those w h o d i d not believe that the Son of G o d w a s b o m of the Virgin, those w h o did not accept baptism o r b l e s s i n g , a n d t h o s e w h o d i d n o t c o m m e m o r a t e in c o m m u n i o n t h e body and blood of Jesus Christ.

11

T h e r e a f t e r P a u l s a w a n o t h e r p l a c e in w h i c h n a k e d m e n a n d w o m e n were being c o n s u m e d b y horrible serpents. T h e y were piled closely on t o p o f e a c h o t h e r l i k e s h e e p i n a p e n . T h e p l a c e s e e m e d t o h i m to b e a s d e e p a s t h e s p a c e f r o m h e a v e n to e a r t h . H e h e a r d t h e m c r y i n g a n d g r o a n i n g , a n d l a t e r h e s a w t h e m , a w a y in t h e d i s t a n c e f r o m h i m . H e s a w t h e s o u l o f a s i n n e r in t h e g r a s p o f s e v e n d e v i l s o n t h e d a y t h a t it w a s t a k e n f r o m t h e b o d y . T h e n a n g e l s r o s e u p a n d s a i d t o it: " A l a s , f o r y o u , O s o u l , t h a t y o u a c t e d e v i l l y in t h e w o r l d , f o r y o u i n s u l t e d G o d o n e a r t h " . T h e s o u l i t s e l f h e l d a n d r e a d t h e scroll o n w h i c h w e r e i t s s i n s . T h e n t h e d e v i l s s e i z e d it, a n d c o n s i g n e d it to t h e d r e a d f u l d w e l l i n g s o f f u r t h e s t h e l l . A f t e r w a r d s t h e a n g e l s a i d to P a u l : " B e l i e v e

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a n d u n d e r s t a n d , O P a u l , that e v e r y o n e is a s s i g n e d a p l a c e h e r e a c c o r d i n g to h i s d e s e r t s " . 12

In a s i n g l e s h o r t i n s t a n t P a u l s a w a r i g h t e o u s s o u l , a f t e r i t s d e p a r t u r e from the body, being brought to heaven. And he heard the sound of a t h o u s a n d a n g e l s sa3nng: " O f o r t u n a t e c h o s e n s o u l w h o h a s u p h e l d t h e l a w o f G o d , y o u a r e e n t i t l e d to r e j o i c e , f o r y o u d i d the w i l l o f G o d o n e a r t h " . T h e a n g e l s t h a t w e r e c o n v e y i n g t h e s o u l s a i d t h a t it s h o u l d b e r a i s e d u p b e f o r e t h e d e v i l t o r e a d o u t its o w n g o o d d e e d s . T h e s o u l s o f s i n n e r s i n s i d e i n hell c r i e d o u t , s a j d n g : " H a v e m e r c y o n u s , M i c h a e l a n d P a u l . I m p l o r e t h e K i n g o f h e a v e n a n d e a r t h to h a v e p i t y o n u s , for w e u n d e r s t a n d that it w a s h e w h o r e d e e m e d u s " . M i c l ^ e l s a i d : " L e t y o u w e e p , a n d , a l o n g w i t h y o u , P a u l a n d I will a s k w i t h { e a r s t h a i y o u b e g r a n t e d m e r c ) ^ ' . W h e n t h e d e v i l s i n hell h e a r d this, t h e y c r i e d o u t loudly, saying: " H a v e m e r c y o n us, O Son of the living G o d " .

13

T h e laments w e r e h e a r d in heaven, a n d G o d said: " W h y d i d y o u not d o g o o d when alive, since y o u are n o w asking for m y mercy? I w ^ crucified for y o u r sakes, m y b l o o d w a s spilt, nails were driven t h r o u g h m e , a n d I w a s g i v e n gall a n d v i n e g a r to d r i n k . T h u s I w a s m a d e to suffer the Passion on y o u r account, yet y o u were evil, deceitful, p r o u d , a n d e n v i o u s . Y o u d i d n o t g i v e a l m s o r fast o r d o p e n a n c e in r e t u r n f o r this".

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T h e n Michael a n d Paul knelt d o w n before the King o f heaven a n d e a r t h , a s k i n g t h a t e v e r y o n e who w a s i n hell s h o u l d recei v e mcTcy

from

G o d every Sunday. W h e n Christ heard thishe said: " O n account of the appeal of Mary, Michael and Paul, and the other saints besidre, and out of m y o w n goodness, I grant them a respite from vespers on S a t u r d a y to t h e t h i r d h o u r o f p r i m e o n M o n d a / ' . 15

W h e n t h e s o u l s in hell h e a r d t h a t , t h e y r e j o i c e d a n d c a l l e d o u t a l o u d , saying: " W e a c k n o w l e d g e that y o u are the Son of the living G o d , y o u w h o h a v e g r a n t e d t h i s s u c c o u r to u s o n a S u n d a y , f o r t h i s is greater h e l p to u s t h a n o u r b e i n g a l i v e . T h o s e w h o d o n o t o b s e r v e S u n d a y will n o t r e c e i v e a p l a c e in t h e c o m p a n y o f t h e a n g e l s o f G o d " .

16

Paul asked Michael h o w m a n y p u n i s h m e n t s w e r e in hell. Michael s a i d : " E v e n if t h e m e n o f t h e w o r l d f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t i m e t o t h e

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D a y o f J u d g e m e n t w e r e t o e n u m e r a t e t h e m , a n d if e v e r y o n e o f t h e m h a d a h u n d r e d tongure, e v e n so, they could not reckon the extent o f the punishments of hell". 17

"Therefore, beloved brothers a n d sisters, b e instructed to do g o o d d e e d s , to p r o t e c t y o u r s e l v e s f r o m t h e p a i n o f h e l l , s o y o u m a y b e brought to y o u r o w n Lord, the King of heaven and earth. For those w h o d o not believe in him, and d o not d o p e n a n c e for their sins, will b e c o n s i g n e d to t h e p u n i s h m e n t s w h i c h w e h a v e r e l a t e d " .

26. THE VISION OF ADOMNAN 1

N o b l e a n d w o n d e r f t i l is t h e L o r d o f t h e e l e m e n t s , a n d g r e a t a n d m a r v e l l o u s h i s s t r e n g t h a n d p o w e r . H e is k i n d , g e n t l e , m e r c i f u l , a n d b e n e v o l e n t . F o r h e i n v i t e s to h e a v e n t h o s e w h o a r e c h a r i t a b l e , c o m p a s sionate, h u m a n e , and clement. However, he lays low and casts d o w n to h e l l t h e i m p i o u s , w o r t h l e s s c o m p a n y o f t h e d a m n e d . H e p r o v i d e s t h e m y s t e r i e s a n d v a r i e d r e w a r d s o f h e a v e n for t h e b l e s s e d , a n d t h e manifold diversity o f pain for the sons of death.

2

T h e r e a r e v e r y m a n y s a i n t s a n d righteous f o l l o w e r s o f t h e L o r d o f t h e e l e m e n t s , a s w e l l a s a p o s t l e s a n d d i s c i p l e s o f J e s u s C h r i s t , to w h o m t h e mysteries a n d secrets o f the k i n g d o m of heaven, a n d the glorious r e w a r d s o f t h e j u s t , h a v e t h e r e b y b e e n r e v e a l e d , a n d to w h o m h a v e b e e n revealed also the various tortures of hell, a n d those w h o suffer t h e m . T h e f o u r - c o m e r e d s h i p let d o w n f r o m h e a v e n w i t h f o u r r o p e s w a s m a n i f e s t e d to t h e a p o s t l e P e t e r . Its s o u n d w a s a s s w e e t a s a n y m u s i c . T h e a p o s t l e P a u l w a s r a i s e d u p to t h e t h i r d h e a v e n , w h e r e h e heard the unutterable w o r d s of the angels, a n d the wonderful conversation o f the people o f heaven. Moreover, on the d a y o f the d e a t h o f M a r y , all t h e a p o s t l r e w e r e b r o u g h t t o s e e t h e p a i n s a n d p i t i a b l e tortures o f the wretched, w h e n the Lord ordered the angels o f sunset to o p e n the earth b e f o r e the apostlra, so that they m i g h t s e e a n d c o n t e m p l a t e hell with its m a n y torments, a s h e himself h a d p r o m i s e d t h e m long before his cmcifixion.

3

F i n a l l y , t h e r e v e l a t i o n w a s m a d e to the p r e s e n t s u b j e c t of d i s c u s s i o n , A d o m n a n , grandson o f Tinne, the great scholar of the western world. W h e n h i s s o u l d e p a r t e d f r o m h i s b o d y o n t h e feast o f J o h n t h e B a p t i s t , h e w a s t a k e n to t h e h e a v e n l y k i n g d o m w i t h its a n g e l s , a n d to h e l l w i t h i t s r a b b l e . W h e n h i s s o u l left t h e b o d y , t h e a n g e l w h o a c c o m p a n i e d h i m w h e n h e w a s a l i v e i m m e d i a t e l y a p p e a r e d , a n d t o o k h i m first to s e e the k i n g d o m of heaven.

4

T h e first l a n d t h e y r e a c h e d w a s t h e L a n d o f t h e S a i n t s . T h a t i s a f e r t i l e 137

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lustrous land. There are various splendid companies there, wearing c l o a k s o f b r i g h t linen with resplendent h o o d s o v e r their h e a d s . T h e s a i n i s o f t h e e a s t e m w o r l d a r e in t h e i r o w n p a r t i c u l a r a s s e m b l y in t h e east o f the Land of the Saints. T h e s a i n t s o f the western world are in the west o f the s a m e land. Moreover, the saints o f the northerly a n d s o u t h e r l y p a r t s o f t h e w o r l d a r e i n t w o g r e a t a s s e m b l i e s to t h e s o u t h a n d t o t h e n o r t h . Y e t , e v e r y o n e in t h e L a n d of t h e S a i n t s is e q u a l l y n e a r , s o a s t o h e a r t h e m u s i c , a n d c o n t e m p l a t e t h e p l a c e in w h i c h a r e t h e n i n e h e a v e n l y o r d e r s , r a n g e d accorciing to their dignity a n d rank. 5

S o m e t i m e s t h e s a i n t s s i n g w o n d e r f u l m u s i c in p r a i s e o f G o d , A t o t h e r times, they listen to the m u s i c of the host of h e a v e n . For the saints h a v e n o n e e d of anything other than to b e listening to the music which they hear, contemplating theradiance which they see, and beingploased b y the fragrance o f the land.

6

T h e r e i s a s p l e n d i d k i n g d o m f a c i n g t h e m to the s o u t h - e a s t , w i t h a g o l d e n p o r c h t o t h e s o u t h o f it, s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e m b y a c r y s t a l s c r e e n . I t is t h r o u g h t h i s t h a t t h e y s e e t h e f o n r ^ a n d m o v e m e n t s o f t h e heavenly host. H o w e v e r , thereis neither screen nor shade between the people o f heaven a n d the saints. Rather, they are visible a n d present o p p o s i t e t h e m a l w a y s . T h e r e is a f i e r y c i r c l e s u r r o u n d i n g t h e l a n d , y e t all pass in a n d out without its h a r m i n g t h e m . T h e twelve a p o s l l e s a n d the Virgin M a r y are in a special g r o u p b e s i d e the p o w e r f u l L o r d . Patriarchs, prophets, and the disciples of Jesus are near the apostles. T h e r e a r e other virgins on M a r y ' s right, with a short distance b e t w e e n t h e m . T h e r e a r e infante a n d children a r o u n d t h e m in every direction, a n d the song of the heavenly birds m a k e s music for them. Radiant b an d s of guardian angels of the souls continually serve and minister a m o n g t h o s e c o m p a n i e s in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e K i n g .

7

N o b o d y in this present world could describe or give a true account of those c o m p a n i e s . T h e g r o u p s and a s s a n b l i e s in the aforementioned L a n d o f t h e S a i n t s , will r e m a i n i n t h a t g r e a t g l o r y until t h e m a j o r assembly of D o o m s d a y , w h e n the just judge on the d a y o f judgement will a r r a n g e t h e m in t h e p o s i t i o n s a n d p l a c e s i n w h i c h t h e y a r e to reside, looking on the countenance o f G o d with neither screen n o r s h a d o w b e t w e e n t h e m t h r o u g h all e t e r n i t y .

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139

8

T h o u g h great a n d wonderful the splendour a n d b r i g h t n e ^ in the L a n d o f t h e S a i n t s , a s w e h a v e r e l a t e d , a t h o u s a n d times g r e a t e r is t h e splendour o f the Plain of the Heavenly Host, b y the throne of the Lord h i m s e l f . T h u s is t h e t h r o n e , a c h a i r f a s h i o n e d w i t h f o u r c o l u m n s o f p r e c i o u s s t o n e s u n d e r it. If a p e r s o n h a d n o o t h e r e n t e r t a i n m e n t b u t t h e h a r m o n i o u s m u s i c of t h o s e f o u r c o l u m n s , t h a t in itself w o u l d g i v e h i m h i s fill o f e x a l t a t i o n a n d p l e a s u r e . T h e r e a r e t h r e e m a r v e l l o u s b i r d s o n t h e t h r o n e i n t h e K i n g ' s p r e s e n c e , a n d t h e i r t a s k i s to d i r e c t t h e i r a t t e n t i o n a l w a y s o n t h e O e a t o r . In p r a i s e a n d g l o r i f i c a t i o n of t h e L o r d they sing the eight canonical hours, accompanied b y the choir-singing o f a r c h a n g e l s . T h e m u s i c is b e g u n b y t h e b i r d s a n d iJie a r c h a n g e l s , a n d all t h e h e a v e n l y h o s t , b o t h s a i n t s a n d h o l y v i r g i n s , m a k e t h e response to them.

9

A b o v e the h e a d of the S u p r e m e O n e on his regal chair there is a h u g e a r c h , l i k e a n o m a n r e n t e d h e l m e t o r a r o y a l d i a d e m . If h u m a n e y e s w e r e to l o o k a t it t h ^ w o u l d i m m e d i a t e l y d i s s o l v e . T h e r e a r e t h r e e bandsall around, separating these from the crowd,and no description c o u l d m a k e k n o w n t h e i r n a t u r e . T h e r e a r e six t h o u s a n d c r e a t u r e s in t h e f o r m o f horKJS a n d b i r d s a r o u n d t h e fiery c h a i r , g l o w i n g w i t h o u t cease.

10

N o b o d y could give a n account o f the mighty Lord on his throne, u n l e s s h e h i m s e l f s h o u l d d o it, o r u n l e ^ h e w e r e to a s k t h e h e a v e n l y orders. For no o n e w o u l d describe his ardour a n d force, his i n t e n s i ^ a n d l u m i n o s i t y , h i s s p l e n d o u r a n d d e l i g h t f u l n e s s , his c o n s t a n c y a n d steadfastness, the multitude of his angels and archangels m a k i n g m u s i c f o r h i m , h i s n u m e r o u s m e s s e n g e r s c o m i n g a n d g o i n g to e a c h h o s t in t u m w i t h p l e a s u r a b l e u t t e r a n c e s , h i s g e n t l e n e s s a n d g r e a t k i n d n e s s to s o m e , h i s s e v e r i t y a n d g r e a t h a r s h n e s s to o t h e r s .

11

If a p e r s o n w e r e t o l o o k c o n s t a n t l y a b o u t h i m , e a s t w a r d a n d w e s t w a r d , t o t h e s o u t h a n d to t h e n o r t h , i n e v e r y d i r c c H o n h e w o u l d f i n d a wonderful face, seven times as bright as the sun. Yet, h u m a n form c o u l d n o t b e p e r c e i v e d o n it a t a l l . R a t h e r , it i s a fiery m a s s b l a z i n g t h r o u g h o u t t h e p l a c e , and everyone is in fear a n d t r e m b l i n g b e f o r e it. i t s l i g h t c o m p l e t e l y fills h e a v e n a n d e a r t h , a n d a r a y o f l i g h t l i k e t h a t o f a m a j e s t i c s t a r s u r r o u n d s it. T h e r e a r e t h r e e t h o u s a n d d i f f e r e n t m e l o d i e s f o r e a c h c h o i r s i n g i n g r o u n d a b o u t it. E v e r y s i n g l e o n e o f

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their melodies are as sweet as the manifold melodies o f the w o r i d . 12

Thus is t h e c i t y o n w h i c h is t h e r o y a l s e a t , s u r r o u n d e d b y s e v e n multicoloured walls o f glass. Each wall is higher than the next. T h e g r o u n d level a n d l o w e r m o s t foundation of the city a r e o f bright crystal, s u n - b k e in a p p e a r a n c e , with variegation o f blue, c r i m s o n , green, and every colour besides.

13

T h e inhabitants of that city are a m i l d , very gentle a n d kindly people, w i t h o u t d e f i c i e n c y i n a n y v i r t u e . F o r n o n e e v e r r e a c h a n d irUiabit it e x c e p t h o l y v i r g i n s a n d p i l g r i m s z e a l o u s f o r G o d . It is d i f f i c u l t t o discover h o w its order a n d arrangement w a s b r o u g h t about, for n o n e o f t h e m has his b a c k or his side towards another. T h u s the ineffable p o w e r o f t h e L o r d h a s o r d e r e d a n d m a i n t a i n e d t h e m f a c e to f a c e in t h e i r r a n k s a n d c i r c l e s o f e q u a l h e i g h t , r o u n d a b o u t t h e r o y a l t h r o n e in s p l e n d o u r a n d d e l i g h t , w i t h all t h e i r f a c e s t u r n e d t o w a r d s G o d .

14

B e t w e e n e v e r y t w o c h o i r s is a c h a n c e l - s c r e e n o f c r y s t a l , w i t h s p l e n d i d o r n a m e n t a t i o n o f g o l d a n d s i l v e r o n it. T h e r e a r e o u t s t a n d i n g r o w s o f precious stones on those chancel-screens, variegated with different g e m s a n d with settings a n d circles o f carbimcle. B e t w e e n every t w o chief assemblies are three precious stones, pleasant-sounding with s w e e t m u s i c , a n d t h e i r u p p e r h a l v e s lit u p l i k e l a m p s . S e v e n t h o u s a n d angels in the form o f great candles illuminate a n d m a k e bright the s u r r o u n d i n g city. A n o t h e r seven thousand are in the exact centre, s h e d d i n g l i g h t e t e r n a l l y a r o u n d t h e r o y a l c i t y . If all t h e m e n o f t h e w o r l d w e r e in o n e p l a c e , h o w e v e r n u m e r o u s t h e y m i g h t b e , t h e fragrance of a single o n e of those candles would suffice them as sustenance.

15

T h o s e o f the earthly inhabitants w h o d o not attain that d t y directly at t h e e n d o f t h e i r l i v e s , a n d to w h o m t h e i r h a b i t a t i o n i s a s s i g n e d a f t e r t h e L a s t J u d g e m e n t , l i v e , until D o o m s d a y c o m e s , i n a n u n s e t t l e d a n d r r e t l e s s m a n n e r o n h e i g h t s a n d hills, a n d i n m a r s h e s a n d u n i n h a b i t e d boglands. A s for these hoste and a ^ m b l i e s , every single soul a m o n g t h e m h a s its guardian angel serving a n d attending i t

16

A t t h e c h i e f e n t r a n c e t o t h e d t y i s a s c r e e n o f fire a n d a s c r e e n o f i c e , which strike against each other, e n d to e n d , throughout eternity. T h e

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"141

s o u n d a n d d i n o f t h o s e s c r e e n s e n c o u n t e r i n g e a c h o t h e r is h e a r d all t h r o u g h t h e w o r l d . If t h e d e s c e n d a n t s o f A d a m s h o u l d h e a r t h a t n o i s e they would b e seized with insupportable trembling a n d fear a s a r e s u l t . T h e s i n n e r s a r e m a d e s a d a n d c o n f u s e d b y that n o i s e . T h e p e o p l e o f h e a v e n f o r t h e i r p a r t , h o w e v e r , h e a r v e r y li ttle a t all o f t h e h a r s h s o u n d , a n d it a p p e a r s t o t h e m a s m e l o d i o u s a s all m u s i c . 17

S t u p e n d o u s a n d m a r v e l l o u s i s t h e n a r r a t i v e o f t h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f that c i t y , f o r w h a t w e h a v e r e l a t e d o f its v a r i o u s o r d e r e a n d w o n d e r s is b u t a little o f a v a s t a m o u n t .

18

It i s d e s o l a t e f o r t h e s o u l , a f t e r i t s a s s o c i a t i o n a n d c o h a b i t a t i o n w i t h t h e b o d y , in r e p o s e a n d e a s e , f r e e d o m a n d h a p p i n e ^ , t o set o u t a n d g o to t h e t h r o n e o f t h e C r e a t o r u n l e s s it g o e s w i t h t h e g u i d a n c e o f a n g e l s , f o r it i s d i f f i c u l t to a s c e n d t h e s e v e n h e a v e n s . N o o n e o f t h e m is e a s i e r t h a n another, for there a r e six protective g^tes confronting h u m a n s before they reach the heavenly k i n g d o m . A door-keeper a n d guardian from t h e h e a v e n l y h o s t h a s b e e n a s s i g n e d to k e e p w a t c h a t e a c h g a t e .

19

At the gate of the nearest heaven is placed the archangel Michael a c c o m p a n i e d b y t w o v i r g i m w i t h i r o n r o d s i n t h e i r l a p s to f l o g a n d b e a t s i n n e r s , s o t h a t it i s t h e r e , t h e n , t h a t s i r m e r s e n c o u n t e r t h e first anguish and torment along the w a y o n which they are travelling.

20

A t t h e g a t e o f t h e s e c o n d h e a v e n t h e a r c h a n g e l A r i e l is g u a r d i a n , a c c o m p a n i e d b y t w o v i r g i n s w i t h f i e r y s c o u r g e s in t h e i r h a n d s , w i t h w h i c h t h e y l a s h s i n n e r s a c r o s s t h e i r f a c e s a n d eyes. A s t r e a m o f fire w i t h a g r e a t b l a z e o n t o p is in f r o n t o f that g a t e . A b e r s e t u s i s t h e n a m e o f t h e angel tending that stream, w h o tests souls a n d w a s h e s f r o m t h e m t h e a m o u n t o f s i n w h i c h a d h e r e s to t h e m , until t h e y b e c o m e a s c l e a n a n d b r i g h t a s t h e r a d i a n c e o f s t a r s . A p l e a s a n t well is s i t u a t e d there, a n d its m i l d n e s s a n d fragrance cleans a n d refreshes the souls o f t h e j u s t . H o w e v e r , it t o r t u r e s a n d b u m s t h e s o u l s o f s i n n e r s , a n d r e m i t s nothing from them, but rather they receive further pain a n d affliction t h e r e . S i r m e r s t h e n rise u p f r o m t h e r e in s a d n e s s a n d g r e a t g r i e f . T h e just, h o w e v e r , g o with h a p p i n e s s a n d gladness to the gate of the third heaven.

21

T h e r e is a f i e r y f u r n a c e c o n t i n u a l l y b u r n i n g t h e r e . Its f l a m e s rise u p to

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a height o f t w e l v e thousand cubits. T h e souls of the just g o through t h a t f u r n a c e i n t h e t w i n k l i n g o f a n e y e . H o w e v e r , it s e a r s a n d b u m s t h e souls o f sirmers for twelve years, a n d after that the a c c o m p a n j n n g angel takes t h e m to the fourth gate. 22

T h e e n t r a n c e g a t e of the fourth heaven is surrounded b y a fiery stream l i k e t h e s t r e a m a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d . A b u r n i n g w a l l e n c i r c l e s it, w i t h i t s f l a m e m e a s u r a b l e a s t w e l v e t h o u s a n d c u b i t s in w i d t h . T h e s o u l s o f t h e j u s t s t e p a c r o s s it a s if it w e r e n o t t h e r e a t a l l . B u t it d e t a i n s t h e s o u l s o f sinners for a period of twelve y e a r s in m i s e r y a n d torture, until t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g a n g e l c o n d u c t s ihem to i h e e n t r a n c e to t h e fifth h e a v e n .

23

T h e r e i s a f u r t h e r s t r e a m o f fire t h e r e , b u t it is d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h e o t h e r s b e c a u s e t h e r e is a d i s t i n c t i v e w h i r l p o o l i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h i s o n e . T h i s s w i r l s a r o u n d t h e s o u l s o f s i n n e r s , a n d h o l d s t h e m fast f o r s i x t e e n y e a r s . Y e t t h e j u s t a r e a b l e l o g e t o v e r it s t r a i g h t a w a y , w i t h o u t a n y d e l a y . W h e n it i s t i m e l o r e l e a s e t h e s i r m e r s , t h e a n g e l s t r i k e s t h e s t r e a m w i t h a r o d w h i c h i s h a r d l i k e a s t o n e , a n d lifts u p t h e s o u l s w i t h the e n d of the rod. T h e n Michael takes the souls lo the entrance o f the sixth heaven.

24

N o p a i n o r t o r t u r e is a s s i g n e d l o s o u l s a t t h a t e n t r a n c e , b u t it i s lit u p with the brightness a n d radiance of precious stones. Michael then m e e t s u p with the angel of the Trinity, a n d the t w o o f t h e m together s e t forth t h e s o u l b e f o r e t h e p r e s e n c e o f G o d .

25

E n o r m o u s a n d i m m e a s u r a b l e t h e n is t h e w e l c o m e o f t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f h e a v e n , a n d o f t h e L o r d h i m s e l f , f o r t h e s o u l , if it b e s i n l e s s a n d j u s t . If, h o w e v e r , it b e a n u n r i g h t e o u s a n d u n s e e m l y s o u l , it is f a c e d w i t h s e v e r i t y a n d h a r s h n e s s f r o m t h e m i g h t y L o r d , w h o s a y s to t h e a n g e l s o f h e a v e n : " S e i z e t h i s i m p i o u s s o u l , O h e a v e n l y a n g e l s , a n d d e l i v e r it i n t o t h e g r a s p o f L u c i f e r to b e s u b m e r g e d a n d s t i f l e d i n t h e d e p t h s o f hell f o r e v e r " . T h e r e u p o n t h e w r e t c h e d s o u l is p a r t e d in a t e r r i b l e , i n c l e m e n t m a n n e r f r o m p r e s e n c e in t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n , a n d f r o m t h e s i g h t o f G o d . T h e n it h e a v e s a s i g h m o r e g r i e v o u s t h a n a n y o t h e r a s it g o e s to f a c e t h e d e v i l a f t e r h a v i n g s e e n t h e b l i s s o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n . A t t h i s p o i n t it is s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e a r c h a n g e l s w h o a c c o m p a n i e d it to h e a v e n . T h e r e u p o n , o n e a f t e r a n o t h e r , t h e t w e l v e f i e r y d r a g o n s s u c k in e a c h s o u l , until t h e l o w e r -

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m o s t d r a g o n p u t s it i n t o t h e m a w of t h e d e v i l . T h e n it s u f f e r s t h e e n t i r e t y o f e v e r y evil in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e d e v i l e v e r l a s t i n g l y . 26

W h e n t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g a n g e l h a d r e v e a l e d to t h e s o u l o f A d o m n a n t h i s v i s i o n o f tho k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n , a n d o f the initial fate o f e a c h s o u l a f t e r its d e p a r t u r e f r o m t h e b o d y , the angel thereafter took A d o m n a n ' s s o u l to t h e d e p t h s o f h e l l , w i t h the i m m e n s i t y o f i l s p a i n s , punishments, and tortures.

27

T h e first l a n d w h i c h it r e a c h e d w a s a b l a c k b u r n t l a n d , e m p t y a n d s c o r c h e d , w h e r e t h e r e w a s n o p u n i s h m e n t at a l l . O n t h e f a r s i d e o f it w a s a v a l l e y full o f f i r e . H u g e f l a n k s e x t e n d e d p a s t its b o u n d a r i e s i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n . Us l o w e r p a r t w a s b l a c k , its m i d d l e a n d u p p e r p a r t w e r e red. T h e r e w e r e eight b e a s t s there, with e y e s like fiery coals. Across the valley w a s an e n o r m o u s bridge, extending f r o m o n e side lo t h e o t h e r . It w a s h i g h i n t h e m i d d l e , b u t l o w e r a t i t s t w o e x t r e m i t i e s .

28

T h r e e c o m p a n i e s e n d e a v o u r to c r o s s it, a n d n o t all s u c c e e d . F o r o n e g r o u p , t h e b r i d g e i s b r o a d f r o m b e g i r m i n g to e n d , s o t h a t t h e y c r o ^ t h e fiery c h a s m in c o m p l e t e s a f e t y , without fear or anxiety. A n o t h e r g r o u p w h o a t t e m p t it f i n d it n a r r o w a t first, b u t b r o a d a t t h e e n d , so t h a t t h e y t h u s e v e n t u a l l y g e t a c r o s s t h e c h a s m a f t e r g r e a t p e r i l . F o r t h e final g r o u p , t h e b r i d g e is b r o a d a t t h e s t a r t , b u t n a r r o w a n d c o n f i n e d t o w a r d s t h e e n d , s o t h a i t h e y fall f r o m t h e m i d d l e i n t o t h e s a m e t e r r i b l e c h a s m , into the gullets o f the eight raging beasts w h o d w e l l in the valley.

29

T h o s e for w h o m that path w a s e a s y a r e the p u r e , those w h o d o assiduous penitence, a n d those w h o suffered m a r t y r d o m willingly for G o d . T h e g r o u p f o r w h o m t h e w a y w a s n a r r o w a t first, b u t b r o a d a t t h e e n d a r e t h o s e w h o a r e c o m p e l l e d u n d e r d u r e s s l o d o t h e will o f G o d , b u t w h o c o n v e r t t h e i r i n v o l u n t a r y s e r v i c e t o w i l l i n g n e s s to s e r v e G o d . T h o s e , h o w e v e r , f o r w h o m t h e b r i d g e w a s b r o a d at first a n d n a r r o w a t t h e e n d a r e t h e s i n n e r s w h o listen to t h e p r e a c h i n g o f t h e w o r d o f G o d , b u t w h o d o n o t o b s e r v e it a f t e r h a v i n g h e a r d it.

30

T h e r e a r e vast hosts in distress o n the s h o r e o f e v e r l a s t i n g pain opposite the land o f darkness. Every second hour the pain e b b s from t h e m . T h e n e x t h o u r it c o m e s o v e r i h e m . T h o s e w h o a r e in t h i s

144

iPisH

BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

situation are the p e o p l e in w h o m g o o d a n d evil a r e equally b a l a n c e d . A n d on the D a y o f j u d g e m e n t an appraisal will b e m a d e , a n d their g o o d n e s s will o v e r w h e l m t h e i r evil o n t h a t d a y , a n d t h e y w i l l b e b r o u g h t t h e r e a f t e r to t h e a b o d e of l i f e , in t h e p r e s e n c e o f G o d f o r e v e r . 31

N e a r those p e o p l e is another large g r o u p in terrible pain. T h e s e are b o u n d t o f i e r y c o l u m n s , w i t h a s e a o f fire a r o u n d t h e m u p to t h e i r c h i n s , a n d b u r n i n g c h a i n s in t h e f o r m o f s e r p e n t s a r o u n d t h e i r w a i s t s . Their faces are ablaze with the pain. T h o s e w h o are in s u c h torment a r e sinners, those w h o h a v e slain their kin, destroyers o f the C h u r c h o f G o d , a n d merciless ecclesiastical leaders w h o rule over shrines o f the s a i n t s to g a i n t h e d o n a t i o n s a n d t i t h e s o f t h e C h u r c h , m a k i n g t h i s t r e a s u r e t h e i r o w n p a r t i c u l a r p r o p e r t y r a t h e r t h a n t h a t o f ttic i n v i t e d and needy ones of the Lord.

32

T h e r e are large c r o w d s standing continually in d a n k p o o l s u p to their belts. Short icy cloaks a r e a r o u n d them. N e v e r d o the belts s t o p o r c e a s e f r o m s c a l d i n g t h e m w i t h b o t h c o l d a n d h e a t . S u r r o u n d i n g t h e m is a h o s t o f d e m o n s w i t h fieiy d u b s , b e a t i n g t h e m a b o u t t h e h e a d , a n d continually threatening them. T h e countenances of the wretched ones a r e all t u r n e d n o r t h w a r d , w i t h a h a r s h s h a r p w i n d d i r e c t l y o n t h e i r faces, a l o n g with e v e r y other evil. R e d s h o w e r s o f fire rain d o w n o n them every nigh t and every day, a n d they cannot a void them, bu t m u s t eternally suffer them with weeping and lamentation.

33

S o m e a m o n g t h e m h a v e s t r e a m s o f fire in t h e h o l l o w s o f t h e i r f a c e s , s o m e h a v e fiery s p i k e s t h r o u g h t h e i r t o n g u e s , o t h e r s t h r o u g h t h e i r h e a d s f r o m o u t s i d e . T h o s e w h o a r e in t h a t t o r t u r e a r e t h i e v e s , d e c e i v ers, those w h o are treacherous and slanderous, plunderers and despoilers, j u d ^ s w h o give false j u d g m e n t , contentious people, female sorcerers a n d satirists, habitual bandits, a n d learned m e n w h o preach heresy.

34

T h e r e is a n o t h e r l a r g e g r o u p o n i s l a n d s in t h e m i d d l e o f t h e s e a o f f i r e . A wall o f silver surrounds t h e m , f o r m e d from their clothing a n d their a l m s . T h e r e a r e p e o p l e w h o p e r f o r m a c t s o f m e r c y vtfilhoul f a i l , ye\ w h o p e r s i s t i n s l o t h f u l n e s s a n d b o d i l y l u s t u p to t h e time o f t h e i r deaths. Their alms-giving renders them assistance in the midst o f the f i e r y s e a u n t i l D o o m s d a y , a n d a f t e r t h e j u d g e m e n t t h e y a r e s e n t to t h e

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s h o r e o f life. 35

A further great c r o w d there w e a r red fiery cloaks reaching to the g r o u n d . T h e i r s h u d d e r i n g a n d c r i e s a r e h e a r d t h r o u g h o u t t h e firmam e n t . A n i n n u m e r a b l e host o f d e m o n s stifles t h e m , u r g i n g their a c c o m p a n y i n g s t i n k i n g b a r b a r o u s h o u n d s to d e v o u r a n d c o n s u m e t h e m . A r o u n d t h e n e c k s o f t h r e e s o u l s a r e red fiery d i s c s , p e r p e t u a l l y alight. E v e r y second h o u r they are raised u p lo the h e a v e n s , the f o l l o w i n g h o u r t h e y a r e c a s t d o w n to t h e d e p t h s o f h e l l . T h o s e w h o suffer that pui\ishment a r e ecclesiastics w h o transgress their h o l y orders, hypocrites, liars w h o d e c e i v e a n d lead astray the multitudes, a n d undertake to perform for t h e m w o n d e r s a n d miracles w h i c h they a r e i n c a p a b l e o f p e r f o r m i n g . It is t h e y o u n g , i n d e e d , w h o m t h o s e i n orders maim, the young w h o were entrusted lo Ihem to b e reformed, a n d t h e y d i d n o t r e f o r m t h e m , n o r d i d t h e y r e b u k e t h e m for t h e i r s i n s .

36

Y e t a n o t h e r l a r g e g r o u p a r e u n c e a s i n g l y to a n d fro a c r o s s t h e fiery flags t o n e s , b a t t l i n g w i t h t h e d e m o n i c h o s t e . T o o n u m e r o u s to r e c k o n a r e the s h o w e r s of burning-red a r r o w s from the d e m o n s on t h e m . T h e y r u n h e a d l o n g w i t h o u t r e s p i t e o r rest u n t i l t h e y r e a c h d a r k p o o l s a n d r i v e r s i n o r d e r to q u e n c h t h e a r r o w s i n theriL P l a i n t i v e a n d p i t i f u l a r e t h e c r i e s and w a i l s u t t e r e d b y t h e s i n n e r s in t h o s e w a t e r s , f o r it i s a n i n c r e a s e o f p a i n w h i c h is i n s t o r e f o r t h e m . T h o s e w h o e n d u r e s u c h torture are dishonest craftsmen, comb-makers, and merchants, falsea d j u d i c a t i n g j u d g e s , b o t h a m o n g t h e J e w s a n d a m o n g all o t h e r s , i m p i o u s kings, iniquitious a n d sinful religious superiors, adulterous w o m e n , a n d the messengers w h o seduce them into their m i s d e e d s .

37

T h e r e is a w a l l o f fire o p p o s i t e t h e l a n d o f p u n i s h m e n t s . T h i s i s s e v e n t i m e s m o r e t e r r i b l e a n d f i e r c e t h a n t h e l a n d o f p u n i s h m e n t s itself. H o w e v e r , n o s o u l e v e r d w e l l s t h e r e , f o r it is s o l e l y in t h e c a r e o f d e m o n s until t h e D a y o f J u d g e m e n t .

38

W o e to w h o e v e r is i n t h e f o r e g o i n g t o r m e n t s in t h e c o m p a n y o f t h e d e v i l ' s h o s t . W o e t o t h e o n e w h o d o e s n o t b e w a r e o f t h a t h o s t . W o e to h i m w h o s e l o r d i s a f i e r c e d i s p a r a g i n g d e m o n . W o e to t h e o n e w h o l i s t e n s to t h e c r i e s a n d w e e p i n g o f t h e s o u l s b e w a i l i n g a n d l a m e n t i n g to the L o r d that J u d g e m e n t - D a y should c o m e speedily so that they m i g h t find o u t i f t h e y w e r e to r e c e i v e a n y a l l e v i a t i o n t h e r e b y , f o r t h e y

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IRISH B I B L I C A L

APOCRYPHA

n e v e r g e t a n y r e s p i t e e x c e p t for t h r e e h o u r s e v e r y S u n d a y . W o e to t h e p e r s o n f o r w h o m that l a n d is h i s a s s i g n e d h a b i t a t i o n f o r e v e r . F o r t h i s , i n d e e d , i s h o w it is, e m p t y t h o r n y m o u n t a i n s t h e r e , b a r e b u r n t p l a i n s , a n d f o u l v e r m i n o u s l a k e s . It i s a r o u g h , s a n d - c o v e r e d l a n d , r u g g e d a n d f r o z e n , w i t h b r o a d f i e r y s l a b s in i t s m i d s t , a n d g r e a t s e a s w i t h f i e r c e s t o r m s . I n it i s t h e a b o d e a n d d w e l l i n g o f t h e d e v i l f o r e t e r n i t y . T h r o u g h t h e m i d d l e o f it r u n f o u r g r e a t rivers, a river of fire, a river o f s n o w , a river o f p o i s o n , a n d a river o f d a r k b l a c k w a t e r - In t h e s e t h e s a v a g e d e m o n i c h o s t s b a t h e , a f t e r t h e i r s p o r t a n d d i v e r s i o n in t o r t u r ing the souls. 39

W h e n the blessed hosts of the heavenly household sing the h a r m o n i o u s n ^ l o d i e s o f the eight canonical h o u r s praising the L o r d joyfully a n d g l a d l y , it is t h e n t h a t t h e s o u l s u t t e r pitiful s o r r o w f u l l a m e n t s , a s t h e y a r e b e i n g b e a t e n w i t h o u t c e a s e b y Uie t h r o n g s o f d e m o n s .

40

These, then, are the tortures and purushments which the a c c o m p a n y i n g a n g e l revealed to t h e s o u l o f A d o m n a n a f t e r its visit to t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n . In the t w i n k l i n g o f a n eye, the soul w a s b r o u g h t through the g o l d e n p o r c h a n d t h r o u g h t h e c r y s t a l s c r e e n to t h e L a n d o f t h e S a i n t s , w h e r e it h a d first b e e n b r o u g h t w h e n it w e n t f o r t h f r o m t h e b o d y . W h e n it b e c a m e d e s i r o u s o f s t a y i n g a n d r e s i d i n g in t h a t l a n d it h e a r d from behind, through the screen, the voice of the angel c o m m a n d i n g it to g o b a c k to t h e s a m e b o d y f r o m w h i c h it h a d e m e r g e d , s o t h a t in assemblies a n d gatherings, and at m e e t i r ^ of layfolk a n d clerics, A d o m n a n might relate t h e r e w a r d s o f h e a v e n a n d the pains o f hell, just as the a c c o m p a n y i n g angel h a d revealed lo him.

41

T h e r e a f t e r , t h i s w a s t h e t e a c h i n g w h i c h A d o m n a n a l w a y s u s e d to p r e a c h to t h e c r o w d s f o r a s l o n g a s h e l i v e d , it w a s w h a t h e t a u g h t a t the great assembly o f the m e n o f Ireland when the L a w o f A d o m n a n w a s i m p o s e d o n the Irish, a n d the w o m e n w e r e r e n d e r e d free b y Finnachta Fledach, king o f Ireland, a n d b y the nobles of Ireland as w e l l . M o r e o v e r , t h e r e w a r d s o f h e a v e n a n d t h e p u n i s h m e n t s o f hell w e r e t h e first t i d i n g s w h i c h P a t r i c k s o n o f C a l p u r n i u s u s e d t o r e l a t e to t h o s e w h o b e l i e v e d in t h e L o r d t h r o u g h h i s t e a c h i n g , a n d w h o a c cepted his spiritual direction b y e m b r a c i n g the gospel.

42

T h e teaching most frequently proclaimed b y Peter and Paul and the

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other apostles also concerned these punishments a n d r e w a r d s , for t h e y h a d b e e n r e v e a l e d to t h e m i n a s i m i l a r m a n n e r . It w a s t h a t teaching which Silvester, abbot of R o m e , preached to Constantino son of H e l e n a , H i g h - K i n g o f the w o r l d , a t t h e a s s e m b l y in which h e o f f e r e d R o m e t o P e t e r a n d P a u l . It w a s t h e s a m e w h i c h F a b i a n , t h e s u c c e s s o r o f P e t e r , p r e a c h e d to P h i l i p s o n o f G o r d i a n , k i n g o f t h e R o m a n s , through which h e believed in the Lord, a n d m a n y t h o u s a n d others b e l i e v e d a t t h a t t i m e . H o , i n d e e d , w a s t h e first k i n g o f t h e R o m a n s w h o believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. 43

T h e s e w e r e a l s o t h e t i d i n g s w h i c h Elijah r e l a t e s to the s o u l s of t h e j u s t w h i l e b e n e a t h t h e t r e e o f life i n P a r a d i s e . O n c e E l i j a h o p e n s t h e b o o k t o t e a c h t h e s o u l s , t h e s p i r i t s o f t h e j u s t c o m e to h i m f r o m e v e r y d i r e c t i o n i n the f o r m o f r a d i a n t b i r d s . H e tells t h e m first o f t h e r e w a r d s o f the just, the delight a n d pleasures of the k i n g d o m of h e a v e n . That m u c h m a k e s t h e m j o y f u l . H o w e v e r , h e t h e n tells t h e m o f t h e p u n i s h m e n t s a n d tortures of hell, a n d the terrors o f D o o m s d a y . A n d a look o f s o r r o w is c l e a r l y m a n i f e s t e d o n h i m a n d o n E n o c h , s o t h a t t h e y a r e t h u s i h e t w o s o r r o w s o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n . T l i e n Eliiah s h u t s t h e b o o k , a n d thereupon the birds emit a great cry o f lamentation, a n d t h e y p r e s s t h e i r w i n g s c l o s e to t h e i r b t x i i e s until s t r e a m s o f b l o o d f l o w f r o m t h e m , in t h e i r f e a r o f t h e p u n i s h m e n t o f hell a n d t h e D a y o f Judgement.

44

Since the souls o f the blessed, w h o a r c assigned a n everlasting d welling in the k i n g d o m o f heaven, l a m e n t in this m a n n e r , so s h o u l d the p e o p l e o f the world fittingly s h e d tears of b l o o d a s they take h e e d of D o o m s d a y a n d the p u n i s h m e n t of hell. For then the L o r d will r e n d e r t o e v e r y o n e in t h e w o r l d h i s d u e , g i v i n g r e w a r d s to t h e j u s t , a n d p u n i s h m e n t s to s i n n e r s . T h e r e a f t e r t h e s o u l s will b e p l a c e d i n t h e d e p t h s o f everlasting pain, a n d b y the w o r d o f G o d I h ^ will b e e n c l o s e d , b y the malediction of the j u d g e o f D o o m s d a y , forall eternity. T h e b l e s s e d a n d t h e j u s t , t h e a l m s - g i v e r s a n d t h e m e r c i f u l , will b e b o r n e to t h e right h a n d o f G o d , t o l i v e f o r e v e r in t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n , w h e r e t h e y w i l l b e in g r e a t g l o r y , w i t h o u t a g e o r w i t h e r i n g , without end or termination forever.

45

T h u s i s that c i t y , a k i n g d o m w i t h o u t p r i d e o r a r r o g a n c e , w i t h o u t falsehood or deception, without deprivation or penitence, without

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hostility o r encounter, without s h a m e or disgrace, without e n v y o r haughtiness, without pestilence or disease, without poverty or nakedness, without d a m a g e or destruction, without hail-showers o r s n o w , without w i n d o r rain, without din o r thunder, without d a r k n e s s o r c o l d n e s s . It i s a n o b l e , s p l e n d i d , d e l i g h t f u l k i n g d o m , f r u i t f u l a n d b r i g h t , w i t h t h e f r a g r a n c e o f a f a u l t l e s s l a n d in w h i c h e v e r y e x c e l l e n c e is e n j o y e d .

27. ANTICHRIST T h e L o r d s a i d t h a t A n t i c h r i s t w o u l d b e t h e d e v i l w h o w o u l d c o m e in h u n i a n f o r m , a n d that he would perform great signs a m o n g the p e o p l e . H e w o u l d s a y that h e w a s t h e t r u e s o n o f G o d , t h e o n e w h o h a d a l w a y s b e e n p r o p h e s i e d , a n d that n o o n e s h o u l d p r e s u m e to a s s e r t t h a t C h r i s t h a d c o m e b e f o r e h i m to s u c c o u r t h e h u m a n r a c e . J o h n t h e E v a n g e l i s t s a i d to J e s u s : " O L o r d , i n w h a t m a n n e r w i l l t h a t m a n a p p e a r ? W e s h o u l d h a v e a w r i t t e n d e s c r i p t i o n , s o that h e m a y b e r e c o g n i z e d b y h i s evil d e e d s , s o that, t h u s r e c o g n i z e d , a l l e g i a n c e would not b e given h i m " . T h e L o r d s a i d t h a t h e w o u l d b e b o m in B e t h l e h e m , o f a h a r l o t o f t h e t r i b e o f D a n i e l , t h a t h e w o u l d b e r e a r e d i n t h e C a r b u b a n (sic), a n d t h a t h e w o u l d l i v e in t h e c i t y c a l l e d B e s a s t a . H i s b o d y w i l l b e six h u n d r e d l e n g t h s h i g h , a n d f o r t y in w i d t h . H e will h a v e a s i n g l e e y e p r o t m d i n g f r o m his forehead, with a flat-surfaced face, a n d a mouth extending as f a r a s h i s c h r e t . H e will h a v e n o u p p e r t e e t h , n o r will h e h a v e k n e e s , a n d t h e s o l e s o f h i s feet will b e r o u n d e d l i k e a c a r t - w h e e l . H e w i l l h a v e f e a r s o m e black hair, a n d three fiery vapours from h i s n o s e a n d m o u t h w h i c h will rise i n t h e a i r l i k e f l a m e s o f fire. N o b o d y i n t h e w o r l d will b e a b l e to h i d e h i m s e l f f r o m h i m . W i t h r e d h o t iron h e will b r a n d a m a r k o n t h e f o r e h e a d o f e v e r y p e r s o n w h o b e l i e v e s i n h i m , a n d n o o n e in t h e w o r l d c a n e v e r c o n c e a l t h a t m a r k e v e n till D o o m s d a y . H e will kill all w h o will n o t b e l i e v e i n h i m , a n d t h e s e will b o a m o n g G o d ' s e l e c t . H e will r a i s e t h e d e a d in i m i t a t i o n o f Christ, with sinners being the o n e s w h o are raised thus. H e will tear trees u p b y the roots, setting the roots uppermost, a n d causing the f m i t to c o m e u p t h r o u g h t h e r o o t s , b y the p o w e r s o f t h e d e v i l . In t h a t m a n ' s t i m e , r i v e r s will t u m a n d f a c e u p h e i g h t s . F a t h e r will kill s o n , a n d s o n f a t h e r . K i n s n w n will kill k i n s n w n , a n d t h e r e w i l l b o n e i t h e r faith n o r h o n o u r a t t h a t t i m e . C h u r c h e s will b o d e s t r o y e d , a n d p r i e s t s will f l e e , u n m i n d f u l o f t h e r e l i c s o f t h e s a i n t s w h o h a d p r e c e d e d 149

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them, or o f the churches where the saints h a d dwelt. T h e w o m e n s e r v i n g in c h u r c h will b e w i t h o u t m o d e s t y , flaunting t h e i r s h a m e a n d nakedness. 5

O n t h e d a y o f t h e b i r t h o f A n t i c h r i s t , t h e r e will b e s o m e o n e d e a d in every house throughout the four corners o f the world. Later o n , the t w o p r o p h e t s n o w in P a r a d i s e , Elijah a n d E n o c h , will c o m e to d o b a t t l e w i t h h i m . T h e y will fight t o g e t h e r f o r t h r e e h u n d r e d a n d f o r t y d a y s , a n d t h e r e a f t e r h e w i l l s l a y t h e m b o t h in t h e PlaH, t h a t i s , in t h e p a l a c e o f t h e c i t y o f J e r u s a l e m . T h e y will l i e d e a d f o r t h r e e a n d a h a l f d a y s , d u r i n g w h i c h time n o b o d y will d a r e t o b u r y t h e m f o r f e a r o f A n t i c h r i s t . T h e n , a t m i d d a y , t h e y will a r i s e in t h e p r e s e n c e o f a l l . A n d a n a n g e l will d e s c e n d f r o m h e a v e n , a n d will s a y t o t h e m : " O E l i j a h a n d E n o c h , e n t e r i n t o e t e r n a l life f r o m h e n c e f o r t h " . A n d t h e y will a s c e n d t h e n in t h e s i g h t o f a l l t h e p e o p l e .

6

T h e n t h e r e will b e a n e a r t h q u a k e a n d t e r r i b l e fiery t h u n d e r u p o n t h e h o s t s . E v e r y o n e in t h e c o m p a n y o f A n t i c h r i s t will b e b u r n t a n d k i l l e d b y t h e p o w e r o f G o d . T h e r e a f t e r , to s a v e t h e p e o p i e , a l m i g h t y G o d will s e n d tiie a r c h a n g e l M i c h a e l , c a r r y i n g a n a k e d s w o r d . H e will s l a y A n t i c h r i s t w i t h a s i n g l e b l o w , s p l i t t i n g h i m in t w o h a l v e s f r o m t h e c r o w n o f h i s h e a d d o w n to t h e g r o u n d . Michael d i d n o t deliver that b l o w s i m p l y t o d e s t r o y A n t i c h r i s t , b u t t o return t h e w o r l d t o a b e t t e r s t a t e . T h e n e v e r y p a g a n , J e w , a n d f o r e i g n e r will c o n v e r t to t h e C a t h o l i c f a i t h . O n l y t h r e e a n d a h a l f y e a r s will r e m a i n a f t e r t h a t until t h e D a y of Judgement.

28. THE SEVEN JOURNEYS OF THE SOUL 1

2

T h e first d a / s j o u m e y o f t h e s o u l - h a r s h i t s t r i b u l a t i o n - i s to n o b l e j e m s a l e m , where Jesus suffered. O n t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y , t h e c o u r s e w h i c h it t r a v e l s , a c c o r d i n g to p r o c e d u r e , is to t h e b e a u t i f u l river J o r d a n , w h e r e i t w a s r e d e e m e d t h r o u g h baptism.

3

O n t h e third d a y , t h i s is t h e g l o r i o u s c o u r s e o f e v e r y s o u l w i t h o u t d i s g r a c e , t h a t it m a y s e e t h e h a p p i n e s s o f t h e P a r a d i s e o f A d a m w h i c h had been abandoned.

4

T h e f o u r t h s a v i n g j o u r n e y - it i s n o t a n a d v a n c e i n t o c o n f u s i o n - i s to t h e r o y a l k i n g d o m , t h e l o y a l f o r c e o f a n g e l s with G o d .

5

A f t e r t h a t , o n t h e f i f t h d a y , it r e a c h e s v o y c o l d a n d t e r r i b l e hell - n o t a peaceful a n d gentle place - where d e m o n s are tortured.

6

O n t h e s i x t h b r i g h t d a y - b e t t e r i f it b e a s t e p w i t h o u t s h a m e - it t r a v e l s b a c k t o its b o d y a g a i n , w h e t h e r it b e evil o r g o o d t h a t it w i l l d o .

7

T h e s e v e n t h d a y o f t h e g r e a t j o u m e y - p e r h a p s it i s a s t e p t o w a r d i t s b a t t l e f i e l d - t h a t i s t h e d a y o n w h i c h it is c o n v e y e d t o hell o r h e a v e n .

8

It w o u l d b e b e t t e r for e v e r y C h r i s t i a n , e v e n t h o u g h h e s h o u l d d e v o t e h i m s e l f t o g o o d w o r k , to w e e p w i t h c o p i o u s t e a r s o n t h e first d a y o f h i s departure from the world.

9

It is M o e l m o e d o c s o n o f D i a r m a i d w h o b e s t o w s t h e a b u n d a n t k n o w l e d g e a s f a r a s h e a v e n o f b r i g h t p a t h s . It is h e w h o s a n g t h e s o n g .

151

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28A.

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PROSE T E X T

T h e s o u l m a k e s s e v e n j o u r n e y s a f t e r it l e a v e s t h e b o d y . T h e y a r e a s f o l l o w s : o n t h e first d a y to t h e c i t y o f J e r u s a l e m , o n t h e s e c o n d d a y t o B e t h l e h e m , o n t h e t h i r d d a y to P a r a d i s e , o n t h e f o u r t h d a y to h e a v e n , o n t h e fifth d a y t o t h e r i v e r J o r d a n , o n t h e sixth d a y , b a c k to t h e s a m e b o d y a g a i n , o n t h e s e v e n t h d a y , t h e c o n s i g n m e n t o f t h e s o u l to h e a v e n o r hell o r s o m e o t h e r p l a c e .

29. THE SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY 1

Every Christian, even o n e w h o sheds tears every canonical hour, should fear the calamitous S u n d a y o f the w e e k before the D a y o f Judgement.

2

T h e r e w i l l b e a m i g h t y s o u n d a n d h o r r i b l e h a r s h c r i e s o n t h a t last S u n d a y before the resurrection of the dead.

3

A r e d f i e r y c l o u d will c o m e f r o m t h e n o r t h e r l y p a r t of t h e h e a v e n s . It w i l l b e u g l y , h a r s h , f i e r c e a n d fearful a s it s p r e a d s o v e r t h e e a r t h .

4

5

A b l o o d - f i l l e d r a i n will fall f r o m t h e d a r k g l o o m y c l o u d . It will fill t h e w h o l e world - a woeful c h a n g e for our peoples. A t t h e t h i r d h o u r , p e n e t r a t i n g f e a r f u l s h o w e r s o f b l o o d will b e g i n . T h e y will b e n u m e r o u s , a n d w i l l n o t g o a w a y until S u n d a y m i d d a y .

6

T h e r e will b e b l a z i n g l i g h t n i n g , a n d u n w e l c o m e t h u n d e r , h a r s h h a i l showers, and showers of blood.

7

F r o m m i d d a y u n t i l n o n e s - it i s n o t to b e c o n c e a l e d - t h e r e will b e a n enfolding bloody rain throughout the four quarters of the w o r l d .

8

T h e r e will b e eruptions o f the earth, horrible noisy q u a k i n g , a n d the s e a w i t h i t s a n i m a l s o v e r f l o w i n g its g r e a t r a m p a r t s .

9

W o e to e v e r y o n e w h o d o e s n o t p a y a t t e n t i o n i n t i m e . It i s p r o p e r f o r us to h a v e d u e fear of the Judgement.

10

O n the second d a y , hosts will b e d i s t r e s s e d . N o regions of pleasure will exist. T h e h e a v e n s will tremble a r o u n d the earth.

11

W a v e s o f s e a - w a t e r will c o m e u p to t h e h i g h c o a s t - l a n d s . S e a - m o n s t e r s will r o a r , a n d w i l l u t t e r f i e r c e s o u n d s . 153

154

12

13

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

T h e r e will b e t e r r i b l e l a m e n t i n g a n d c r y i n g , a n d u n m e l o d i o u s w a i l i n g . T h r o u g h o u t the four c o m e r s of the w o r l d there will b e intense agitation, without peace, without direction. E x i s t e n c e will b e s o r r o w f u l , l a c k i n g in p e a c e a n d full j o y . T h e e l e c t , w i t h g o o d w o r k s , will b e i n p r i v a t i o n o n d a r k s h o r e s .

14

A s f o r t h e w r e t c h e d b i t t e r p e o p l e s , r o b b e r s will s t r i k e t h e m w i t h fists. It is n o t a s l e e p o f p l e a s a n t p e a c e w h i c h p e r v a d e s . F l a m e s w i l l fill t h e hillsides.

15

Let e a c h o n e c r y o u t t o G o d - w h a t p r o t e c t i o n is s w i f t e r t h a t o u r L o r d o f b r i g h t g e n e r o s i t y will s a v e u s o n t h a t d a y .

16

O n the third bright d a y , on T u e s d a y , the ramparts [of the world] strike a g a i n s t e a c h o t h e r , w h e n o u r just fair L o r d l e a n s o n t h e g l o b e o f h i s creation.

17

T h e d e e p foundations of the w o r l d will c r u m b l e - a s u r e nmtter. S p l e n d i d l y - s h a p e d s t o n e s will s h a k e . T h e i r a p p e a r a n c e will b e d e stroyed.

18

R e d f i e r y c l o u d s , w h i c h a r e s h a r p , c u t t i n g , a n d m e r c i l e s s , will c i r c l e a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . It will n o t b e a p l e a s a n t , e a s y , a g r e e a b l e c o u r s e .

19

A s t r e a m o f s u l p h u r o u s f i r e will c o m e f o r t h f r o m t h e c o m e r s o f t h e m a n y - s i d e d e a r t h , i n s u c h a w a y that i t will c a u s e t r e m b l i n g o n t h e surface of the wet world.

20

T h e r e will b e a single, ever-curving flame from east to w e s t . An evil t r e a c h e r o u s m i s t will fill e v e r y e x t r e m i t y a s far a s t h e r e d d e n i n g s e a .

21

M a y the King o f a m p l e prosperity w h o created the rays o f the sun p r o t e c t u s w i t h h i s h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s o n t h e third d a y .

22

O n the f o u r t h o m i n o u s d a y o f W e d n e s d a y , w i t h h u n d r e d s o f f e a r s , t h e r e will c o m e a n o u t b u r s t o f l a m e n t a t i o n w h i c h will s h a k e t h e w h o l e world.

2 9 . T H E SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY

155

23

T h e g r e a t - w a v e d s e a will r i s e u p f r o m t h e e a r t h i n f l o o d s . Its m i g h t y r o a r will r e a c h a s far a s t h e c l o u d s o f h e a v e n .

24

T h e r e will b e t h e c l a m o u r o f the b e l l o w i n g s e a - m o n s t e r s a n d o f t h e r e d - m o u t h e d s p i k y b e a s t s , a n d o f t h e h o s t s of c r e a t u r e s w i t h s n o r t i n g gills on the d r y shore.

25

T h e g r e a t s e a will s i n k d o w n a g a i n w i t h e n o r m o u s t u m u l t , s o t h a t i t s c o u r s e is u n k n o w n , a s it s u b m e r g e s u n d e r t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e e a r t h .

26

A p a c i f y i n g c a l m t h e n c o n w s into t h e v i e w o f t h e h o s t s , b r i n g i n g r e s t o r a t i o n a g a i n , s o that it r e t u r n s w i t h i n its p r o p e r b o u n d a r i e s .

27

T h e r e are fierce s h a r p voracious w i n d s with h u n d r e d s of breezes, w h i c h s m a s h t h e w o o d l a n d s , a n d c a r r y t h e m o f f into t h e a i r .

28

W i c k e d noisy bird-flocks circle a r o u n d every great land. Swiftly, firmly, a n d intently, they s w o o p d o w n on the food of the land.

29

W o n d r o u s s i g n s will a p p e a r , h a r s h h a i l - s h o w e r s w i t h t e r r i b l e b l o o d . T h e d e s c e n d a n t s o f A d a m a r e chastized. W r e t c h e d a r e their c i r c u m stances in every place.

30

T h e s o r r o w f u l h o s t o f t h e r a c e o f A d a m in t h e i r r a n k s will u t t e r t h e e x h a u s t e d s o r r o w f u l r e m a r k : " B e t t e r for u s to b e d e a d t h a n a l i v e " .

31

T h e r e w i l l b e c o n t i n u a l r a g i n g u p r o a r , fearful f e r o c i o u s v i b r a t i o n s . S t r e a m i n g torrents will separate f r o m the sea.

32

T h e f a m e d h e a v e n s w i l l b e t u r n e d a r o u n d to t h e i r v e r y d e p t h s . T h e i r usual course will b e upset, a s they s m a s h against the earth.

33

M a y the great Son of the Virgin M a r y save u s with his outstanding g o o d n e s s from every ensnaring evil on the fourth o m i n o u s d a y .

34

O n t h e fifth i l l u s t r i o u s d a y , o n T h u r s d a y , a v e n g i n g t h u n d e r s t o r m s w i l l c o m e w i t h m u c h f i r e . T h e s t a r s o f h e a v e n will b e t h r o w n d o w n .

35

It i s e v i d e n t t h a t e v e r y o u t s t a n d i n g c r e a t e d t h i n g i s b e a t e n d o w n a n d

156

[RISH BIBLICAL

APOCRYPHA

w r e t c h e d . T h e firm s t a b l e w o r l d h a s l o s t its e n d u r i n g s t e a d f a s t n e s s . 36

S o r r o w s will b e d e e p , a n d h o r r o r s will b e v a s t . S w i f t s u p e r n a t u r a l s t r e a m s will fill t h e s p a c e f r o m h e a v e n to e a r t h .

37

M u l t i t u d e s o f s t a r s will fall d o w n f r o m t h e i r firm p o s i t i o n s . T h e y c a n n o t s h o w f o r t h t h e i r l i g h t . T h e s u n a n d m o o n will b e e x t i n g u i s h e d .

38

T h e r e will b e fearful w a i l i n g a n d l a m e n t i n g , e x t r e m e g l o o m a n d sadness, with n o guidance or direction, n o peace or bright gladness.

39

T h e r e will b e d i s a g r e e a b l e s t r e a m s h i d d e n b e n e a t h h a i l - s h o w e r s . T h e y w i l l b e g l o o m y , r a p i d , a n d u n d u l a t i n g a m i d s t t h e flames o f fire.

40

T h e divine G o d w h o has chosen m e , w h o readily watches over hosts, m a y h e s a v e m e , a l o n g witii all t h e s a i n t s , f r o m t h e e v e n t s o f t h e fifth day.

41

O n t h e s i x t h full d a y , o n F r i d a y , t h e g r e a t m a r t y r d o m will b e i n f l i c t e d o n all t h e r a c e o f A d a m .

42

W i s e m e n w i l l n o t c o n c e a l it. T h e y r e l a t e c l e a r l y i n o r d e r t h a t e v e r y c r e a t u r e t h a t e v e r l i v e d will d i e a s u d d e n d e a t h .

43

It will b e a s o r r o w f u l c a r r i a g e b e n e a t h t h e h a i l s t o n e s . It w i l l n o t b e n o i s y , b u s y , filled w i t h s t e e d s a l o n g t h e f l a m i n g h i l l s i d e s .

44

45

T h e b e a u t i f u l g a t e s o f s p l e n d i d f a u l t l e s s h e a v e n will b e o p e n e d . T h e h o s t s o f h e a v e n w i t h w o n d e r f u l b r i g h t n e s s will c o v e r t h o w o r l d . T h e s a i n t s a n d h o l y a n g e l s i n t h e b r o a d s w i f t l i g h t , in e v e r y w a y a s f r e e a s fish in t h e s e a .

46

A f t e r a s s u m i n g e a r t h l y b o d i e s , a t t h e right h a n d o f h o l y C h r i s t t h e y will a s s u r e d l y l i v e in p e r p e t u a l u n i o n . F o r t u n a t e t h o o n e w h o a t t a i n s it.

47

O n t h e S a t u r d a y o f t h e w e e k , t h e w o r l d will t r e m b l e . It will p o u r f o r t h a tumult of harsh v a p o u r like a boiling cauldron.

2 9 . T H E SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY

48

157

It will e m i t its t e r r i b l e s h o w e r s a n g r i l y f r o m its v a p o u r s . S w i f t f l a m e s w i l l d i s t u r b h i l l s i d e s . T h e y will e x t e n d u p w a r d s o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n s .

49

B i t t e r s t r e a n ^ will d r y u p in g h o s t l y r o w s , b e i n g w i t h o u t f l o o d o r w a v e , without majestically-arranged currents.

50

T h e ridges o f t h e s m o o t h m o u n t a i n s will b e t h r e a t e n i n g l y d i v i d e d . T h e y w i l l b e b a l e f u l l y d e s t r o y e d . T h e y will b e s h a t t e r e d f i e r c e l y .

51

T h e e s s e n c e o f e v e r y e l e m e n t will c h a n g e - a r e m a r k a b l e r e p o r t . T h e y will c h a n g e s o that Uiey w i l l n o t b e d well i n g - p l a c e s e i t h e r f o r t h e l i v i n g or the dead.

52

T h e H i g h - K i n g o f t h e k i n g d o m o f h e a v e n . H o l y C h r i s t w h o rules e v e r y assembly, may o u r leader protect us, and m a y he save us on the Saturday.

53

O n t h e d a y o f t h e c o m p l e t i o n , o n S u n d a y , a n a p p a r i t i o n to u s in o u r t r o u b l e s , t h e h o s t s o f a r c h a n g e l s will c o m e to e a r t h w i t h o u r L o r d .

54

T h e a r c h a n g e l will u t t e r a c l e a r call o v e r t h e b o d y o f e v e r y p e r s o n o f t h e r a c e o f n o b l e A d a m , s u m m o n i n g all to rise.

55

T h e first r e s u r r e c t i o n a t t h e call o f t h e a r c h a n g e l , b e f o r e e v e r y o n e , is t h a t o f t h e a p o s t l e s , g o i n g v»nth t u m u l t to C h r i s t w i t h o u t d i f f i c u l t y .

56

I n t h e s e c o n d r e s u r r e c t i o n t h e p r o p h e t s o f t h e w o r l d will a r i s e . In t h e third c l a m o r o u s a w a k e n i n g will b e c o n f e s s o r s .

57

I n t h e f o u r t h r e s u r r e c t i o n t h e m a r t y r s o f t h e e a r t h will a r i s e . In t h e fifth resurrection, the host o f the saints in its entirety.

58

In t h e s i x t h r e s u r r e c t i o n t h e r e will a r i s e f r o m t h e i r e a r t h l y l o d g i n g t h e chaste and the penitente, a n d infants w h o have been baptized.

59

I n t h e s e v e n t h r e s u r r e c t i o n e v e r y o n e w i t h a s o u l will a r i s e f r o m f i r e , from great floods, from sea and land a n d earth.

60

T h e h u g e c o m p a n y will c o m e t o g e t h e r in f e a r for a n a s s e m b l y , t h e h o l y

158

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCRYPHA

host of heaven, the people o f earth, and the host of hell. 61

It i s a s t e a d f a s t a s s e m b l y , w i t h t h o s e w h o a r e v a l u e d a n d b e l o v e d a r r a n g e a n d r a n k e d in front o f t h e b r i g h t c o u n t e n a n c e o f t h e K i n g o f the seven heavens.

62

T h e n o b l e s e v e n h e a v e n s will b e t u r n e d a b o u t . . . A f i e r c e f i r e w i l l a d v a n c e f r o m e a s t to w e s t .

63

A t t h e e d g e s o f that f l a m e will b e t h e a r r a y o f t h e h o s t in r o w s , a b o v e the triumphant lightning, awaiting the j u d g e m e n t s of D o o m s d a y .

64

T h e o u t s t a n d i n g k i n g will r i s e , s o t h a t h e is v i s i b l e t o a l l , w i t h h i s r e d o p p r e s s i v e c r o s s o n h i s b a c k in t h e s i g h t o f a l l .

65

T h e f e a r l e s s S o n o f G o d t h e F a t h e r will s i t in h i s s e a t o f g l o r y , w i t h t h e t w e l v e a p o s t l e s a r o u n d h i m in a b r i l l i a n t c o m p a n y .

66

O Son o f the H e b r e w Virgin, w h o created great hosts, shelter o u r c o n s p i c u o u s m i s e r y , to p r o t e c t u s o n that d a y .

67

O n t h e S u n d a y o f t h e a s s e m b l y , a f t e r t h e frantic r e s u r r e c t i o n , the b l a c k h o s t o f d e m o n s will c o m e - it will n o t b e a p l e a s a n t n o b l e h a p p e n i n g .

68

T h e m u l t i t u d e s o f t h e h o s t o f h e l l , u n r e d e e m e d in t h e i r p r i s o n s , will fill the w h o l e world with the harshness of their ferocity.

69

T h e i d o l s , d a r k g o d s o f s i n f u l h e a t h e n s , wiU fall. T h e i r d e e d s c a n n o t survive being in the presence of the H i g h - K i n g .

70

T h e r e will b e v a s t a m o u n t s o f r e d f l a m e , a rod fire w h i c h c o n s u m e s valuables, terrible tribulations, with m u c h a n g e r before them.

71

T h e d e e p f o u n d a t i o n s o f t h e w o r l d will stir - a s o r r o w f u l c i r c u m s t a n c e . It will l a p s e i n t o u n s u b s t a n t i a l s i l e n c e , w i t h o u t a d v a n t a g e , s t r e n g t h . . .

72

T h e r e will b e a w f u l c r y i n g a n d b a w l i n g , u n c e a s i n g , i m m o d e r a t e , without g e n t l e n e ^ , comfort o r peace, opposite the bright ranks.

29.

73

THK SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY

159

There a r e m j ^ t e r i o u s twisting streams which over-run the e d g e o f the flame. People loathe the dark active trembling a b o v e the hail.

74

Let u s p r a y to t h e g r e a t L o r d a t e v e r y h o u r to s a v e u s f r o m o u r wretched troubles o n the S u n d a y of the assembly.

75

O n t h e b r i g h t M o n d a y o f J u d g e m e n t , for w h i c h p u n i s h m e n t s a m a s s , t h e a n g e l i c h o s t s will w a g e b a t t l e a g a i n s t t h e f i e r c e d e m o n s .

76

T h e v i l e h o s t w i t h o u t d i f f i c u l t y will b e s u b d u e d in ite f r e n z y , w i t h m u c h l a m e n t a t i o n , b y t h e a n g e l s . T h e d a r k d e m o n s will b o d e f e a t e d .

77

T h e y will b e c a s t b a c k w e e p i n g to hell w i t h t h e i r f r a u d u l e n t l e a d e r L u d f e r , harsher than a lion.

78

T h e r e a f t e r , t r u e j u d g e m e n t s will b e d e l i v e r e d o n t h e d e s c e n d a n t s o f A d a m in t h e s i g h t o f G o d . T h e y will b e d i v i d e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r d e e d s . T h e y will b e s e t a p a r t i n g r o u p s .

79

Sirmers without generosity will b e banished with the d e m o n i c host i n t o t h e c o l d p a i n s o f h e l l , t o t r e m b l e in s e v e r e g l o o m .

80

E v e r y righteous p e r s o n w i l l b e a t t h e right h a n d o f G o d e v e r i a s t i n g l y . E v e r y l a w l e s s p e r e o n will b e set a t h i s left h a n d , a n d d e s t i n e d f o r h e l l .

ABBREVIATIONS, MANUSCRIPTS, JOURNALS A t k i n s o n , Passionsand from

Leabhar

Breac

Homilies,

R . A t k i n s o n , The Passions

and

Homilies

{Todd Lecture Series 2), Dublin:Royal

Irish

A c a d e m y , 1887. B L : T h e British Library (formerly. T h e British M u s e u m ) , L o n d o n . B o o k o f L e i n s t e r : M S , T r i n i t y C o l l e g e , D u b l i n , H 2 1 8 ; d i p l o m a t i c text R . I. B e s t , O . B e r g i n , M . A . O ' B r i e n , A . O ' S u l l i v a n , The BookofLeinsier formerly Lebaf na Niiachongbdla, v o l s 1-6, D u b l i n I n s t i t u t e f o r A d vanced Studies, 1954-1983. B o o k o f U i M a i n e : M S , R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y , D ii 1 ; s e e M a c a l i s t e r , The Book O'Kelly's",

of Ui Maine

otherwise

called

"The

R. A . S.

Book

of

the

Dublin, 1942.

CMCS: Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies. P u b l i s h e d a t t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, University of C a m b r i d g e .

Celtica:

J o u r n a l , p u b l i s h e d b y t h e D u b l i n I n s t i t u t e for A d v a n c e d S t u d -

ies. Eigse; J o u r n a l , p u b l i s h e d b y the National University of Ireland. Eriu: J o u r n a l , p u b l i s h e d b y t h e R o y a l I r i s h A c a d e m y , D u b l i n . Etudes

Celtiques:

Irish Theological JThS:

Journal

Leabhar

Breac:

Journal; Paris. Qimrierly:

ofThwlogical

Journal; St. Patricia College, Maynooth. Studies.

M S 2 3 P 1 6 R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y , D u b l i n ; p u b l i s h e d in 161

162

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APOCHRYPHA

facs. b y R I A , 1876; P a s s i o n s a n d H o m i l i e s f r o m , e d , R. A t k i n s o n . Lebor

Gabdla

Erenn.

The Book of the Taking

of Ireland,

e d . R. A . S. M a c -

A l i s t e r , p a r t s I-V (Irish T e x t s S o c i e t y 3 4 , 3 5 , 3 9 , 4 1 , 4 4 ) , D u b l i n , 1 9 3 8 1956. LebornahUidre:

M S 2 3 E 2 5 , R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y , D u b l i n ; e d . R . I. B e s t

a n d O . J . B e r g i n , Lebor na h Uidre: Book ofthe

Dun Cow, D u b l i n : R o y a l

Irish A c a d e m y , 1 9 2 9 . Liber Flavus Dublin.

Fergusiorum:

M S , 2 3 O 4 8 , v o l . i, ii. R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y ,

MilUown Studies: j o u r n a l , p u b l i s h e d b y t h e M i l l t o w n I n s t i t u t e o f T h e ology and Philiosophy, Dublin. M c N a m a r a : M a r t i n M c N a n w r a , The Apocrypha

in the Irish

Church,

Dublin Institute for A d v a n c e d Studies, 1975; reprint, with corrections 1984. NLI: National Library of Ireland, Dublin. Peritia: j o u r n a l o f t h e M e d i e v a l A c a d e m y o f I r e l a n d , C o r k a n d G a l way. P R M : Proceedings Revue

Celtique:

of the Royal Irish Academy,

Dublin.

j o u r n a l , P a r i s ; s u c c e e d e d b y Etudes

Celtiques.

R I A : Royal Irish A c a d e m y , Ehiblin. Studia Celtica: J o u r n a l , p u b l i s h e d o n b e h a l f o f t h e B o a r d o f C e l t i c Studies of the University of Wales. Y e l l o w B o o k o f Lecan: M S , Trinity College, Dublin, H 2 16. Facsimile. Introduction b y R. Atkinson, Dublin 1896. ZCP: Zeitschrift fUr celtische Nicmeyer, Tiiblngen.

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NOTES TO THE TEXTS

1. THE CREATION OF ADAM T e x t o f British L i b r a r y M S E g e r t o n 1 7 8 2 , f 4 5 . There are a n u m b e r of traditions, both Christian a n d Jewish, on the c r e a t i o n o f A d a m , a n d a l s o o n h i s b u r i a l . T h e two lallcT o f t e n c o r r e s p o n d t o o n e a n o t h e r , t h e b u r i a l p l a c e b e i n g that o f t h e c r e a t i o n . T h e s e traditions,originally apparently distinct, tended to b e c o m e c o m b i n e d . Most of the Christian traditions w e r e probably originally Jewish, or a r e b a s e d o n J e w i s h m a terial, w h i c h h a s b e e n a d a p t e d to t h e C h r i s t i a n c o n t e x t . T h e t r a d i t i o n s o f t e n o r i g i n a t e d in a t h e o l o g i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e p l a c e o f A d a m , t h e first m a n , o r o f A d a m a n d E v e t h e firet p a i r , in t h e o v e r a l l p l a n o f c r e a t i o n . A d a m w a s , in a s e n s e , u n i v e r s a l m a n , a truth w r i t t e n i n t o t h e a c c o u n t s o f h i s c r e a t i o n . O n e p r e o c c u p a t i o n w a s to s e e t h e u n i v e r s a l n a t u r e o f A d a m i n h i s n a m e , o r in t h e c l a y o r e l e m e n t s f r o m w h i c h h e w a s c r e a t e d . T h e f o u r letters that c o m p o s e his n a m e w e r e seen a s derived f r o m the initials of t h e G r e e k w o r d s f o r t h e c a r d i r w l poinlsAnatole, Dysis, Arctos,Mesembria ( E a s t , W e s t , N o r t h , S o u t h ) . T h i s t r a d i t i o n is e x t r e m e l y c o m m o n i n P a t r i s t i c a n d M e d i e v a l t e x t s . W h i l e it s e e m s to h a v e b e e n u l t i m a t e l y b a s e d o n 2 ( o r S l a v o n i c ) E n o c h 3 0 , 1 3 ( " A n d I a s s i g n e d to h i m [ i . e . m a n ] a n a m e from the four components; from East, from West, from North, f r o m S o u t h " ) , t r a n s m i t t e d in S l a v o n i c f r o m w h a t a p p e a r s a G r e e k o r i g i n a l , its u s e i n t h e W e s t m a y h a v e b e e n t h r o u g h A u g u s t i n e ; s e e R . M c N a l l y , Der irische Liber de Numeris, M u n i c h , 1 9 5 7 , 7 2 f . It is f o u n d i n text n o . 2, p a r . 3 of this collection, c o m b i n e d with a n o t h e r lo b e mentioned below. T h e r e w a s a t r a d i t i o n that h e w a s c r e a t e d f r o m c l a y t a k e n f r o m t h e centre of the world, from Jerusalem, M o u n t Moriah, the m o u n t of s a c r i f i c e ( o f I s a a c , the t e m p l e s a c r i f i c e ) a n d s i t e of t h e f u t u r e t e m p l e 163

164

IRISH BIBLICAL A r o c H R v r H A

a n d that he w a s buried there. This tradition w a s Christianised, with C a l v a r y (the place of Christ's sacrifice) replacing the site o f the temple. S e e L . G i n z b e r g , The Legends of the Jews, P h i l a d e l p h i a , 1 9 0 9 ( r e p r i n t 1 9 6 8 ) , 1 , 5 5 , 1 0 1 ; V , notes 16 (p. 73), 167 (pp. 125-127). O t h e r t r a d i t i o n s a r e that h e w a s c r e a t e d f r o m e a r t h f r o m H e b r o n ; t h a t , w i t h A b r a h a m , I s a a c a n d J a c o b , h e w a s b u r i e d in H e b r o n , e a r l i e r ca lied Kiryath-Arba, " t h e City of the Four (M e n ) " . T h i s j e w i s h tradition is r e c o r d e d b y J e r o m e (Hebraicae quaestiones in Genesim 2 3 , 2 ( C C L 7 2 , 2 8 ) . T h i s is s o m e t i m e s c o m b i n e d w i t h t h e p r e c e d i n g o n e b y h a v i n g A d a m ' s b o d y t r a n s p o r t e d to J e r u s a l e m ( b y t h e H o o d , f o r i n s t a n c e ) w h e r e it i s b u r i e d . S e e text 4 , p a r . 5 0 - 5 3 . A b e l i e f w i d e s p r e a d i n t r a d i t i o n , Irish i n c l u d e d , is t h e f o r m a t i o n o f A d a m ' s b o d y f r o m s o d s f r o m d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f t h e w o r l d . It is f o u n d in text n o . 2, par. 3 of this collection, c o m b i n e d w i t h a n o t h e r o n derivation of the n a m e A d a m . See David Wassserstein, " T h e Creation o f A d a m a n d t h e A p o c r y p h a in E a r l y I r e l a n d " , PRIA 8 8 C ( 1 9 8 8 ) , 1-17. A f u r t h e r t r a d i t i o n still is f o r m a t i o n o f A d a m f r o m e i g h t pondera; M . M c N a m a r a , The Apocrypha,

see

p . 22f.

T h e tradition o f par. 2-3 o f this present text on the creation of A d a m , o f m a n , f r o m s e v e n c o m p o n e n t s is m o r e r a r e l y f o u n d . It is v e r y s i m i l a r t o t h e s e c t i o n o f 2 E n o c h ( 3 0 , 8 ) w h i c h i m m e d i a t e l y p r e c e d e s that o n t h e d e r i v a t i o n o f A d a m ' s n a m e , a n d m a y well d e r i v e f r o m it. T h e t e x t o f 2 Enoch reads: A n d on the sixth day I c o m m a n d e d m y w i s d o m to create m a n out o f t h e s e v e n c o m p o n e n t s : [1 j h i s f l e s h f r o m e a r t h ; [ s e c o n d ] h i s b l o o d from d e w a n d f r o m the sun; [third] his eyes from the bottomless sea (a variant h a s his e y e s from the sun); [fourth j his b o n e s from stone; [fifth] h i s r e a s o n f r o m t h e m o b i l i t y o f a n g e l s a n d f r o m c l o u d s ; [ s i x t h ] h i s v e i n s a n d h a i r from t h e g r a s s o f t h e e a r t h ; [ s e v e n t h ] h i s s p i r i t f r o m m y spirit a n d f r o m w i n d . ( f r a n s l a t i o n b y F . I. A n d e r s e n in The Old Testament J . H . C h a r i e s w o r t h , e d . , I, L o n d o n , 1 9 8 3 , 1 5 0 . )

Pseudepigrapha,

NOTES

165

2. CREATION AND FALL McNamara no. IBa; Text of Leabhar Breacbeginmng 109bi,conatGd w i t h t e x t o f R I A M S 2 3 0 4 8 C L i ' 6 e r f t e ' « s ) , i i , 2 1 r a . O r i g i n a n y e d i t e d b y B . M c C a r t h y , HieCoi/ex PalaHno-VaHcanus No. 8 3 0 ( T o d d L e c t u r e S e r i e s 3 , D u b l i n , 1 8 9 2 ) , 4 5 - 5 9 . T h i s i s a p r o s e v e r s i o n o f C a n t o s I V t h r o u g h I X o f Saltair na Rann, l i n e s 8 3 3 - 1 4 3 6 o f t h e e d i t i o n s (cf. e d i t i o n b y W h i t l e y S t o k e s , Saltair na Rann, A n e c d o t a O x o r u e n s i a . M e d i e v a l a n d M o d e m S e r i e s , 1, h i , O x f o r d , 1 8 8 3 ) . It f o l l o w s t h e verse o r i g i n a l f a i r l y f a i t h f u l l y , b u t h a s some a d d i t i o n s a n d p a r a p h r a s e s from t h e l a r g e r A d a m a n d E v e t r a d i t i o n t h a t c a n b e p r e s u m e d t o have b e e n c u r r e n t . T h u s in p a r . 3 it g i v e s t h e v e m a c u l a r e q u i v a l e n t s for t h e G r e o k n a m e s f o r t h e c a r d i n a l p o i n t s a n d a d d s t h e f u r t h e r t r a d i t i o n o n t h e four s o d s f r o m which A d a m w a s made ( o n this s e e i n t r o d u c t i o n t o n o . 1 ) . In t h e same p l a c e it m a k e s explicit mention o f the mountains o f Pariath, a geographical detail of P a r a d i s e f o u n d i n o t h e r Irish texts a s w e l l . T h e s o u r c e s o f Saltair na Rann h a v e b e e n e x a m i n e d i n detail b y S t . J . D . S e y m o u r {PRIA 3 6 C , 1 9 2 1 - 2 4 , 1 2 1 - 1 3 3 ) , a n d t h o s e f o r this s e c t i o n b y B r i a n O . M u r d o c h (The Irish Adam and Eve Story from Saltair na Rann, 11, C o m m e n t a r y , D u b l i n , 1 9 7 6 ) . T h e c h i e f s o u r c e i s t h e a p o c r y p h a l Vita Adae et Evae, with c o n t r i b u t i o n s from t h e a p o c r y p h a l Apocalypsis Mosis. M u r d o c h ' s c o m m e n t s o n t h e Saltair h o l d g o o d f o r t h i s p r o s e paraphrase too.

3. THE PENANCE OF ADAM McNamara no. lBa4; Text of R I A M S 2 5 P 2 5 , ff 6 4 v b - 6 5 r b l l , collated with versions in Leabhar Breac ( e d . B . M c C a r t h y , The Codex Palatino-Vaticanus No. 830, p p . 60-71), a n d t h e Yellow B o o k o f Lecan, col 846-848. F o r a n o t h e r

166

IRISH B I B U C A L

APOCHRYPHA

v e r s i o n s e e A l a n O . A n d e r s o n , ' T e a n n a i d A d a i m " , Revue

Celtique

24

(1903), 243-53. T h e o p e n i n g s e c t i o n ( c h a p s 1-17) o f the Vita Adae et Evae g i v e s a d c c s c r i p t i o n o f t h e r e p e n t a n c e o f t h e first p a r e n t s . T h i s p r e s e n t t e x t f o l l o w s t h e Vita s o c l o s e l y that t h i s w o u l d a p p e a r to b e its m a i n , if n o t its sole, source. T h u s : p a r . 1, Vital

i-2);

p a r . 2 , Vita 3 ; p a r . 3 , Vita 4 ; p a r . 4 , Vita 5 ; p a r . 5 , Vila 6-7 ( " A d a m s a i d t o E v e . ' i w i l l s p e n d f o r t y d a y s f a s t i n g , b u t y o u r i s e a n d g o to t h e T i g r i s R i v e r . . . a n d s t a n d in t h e w a t e r o f t h e r i v e r f o r t h i r t y - s e v e n d a y s ' " . Vita 6 . T h e irish t e x t s in g e n e r a l r e a d ' T i b i r " f o r T i g r i s . In p a r . 5 t h e r e m a y b e a n i n f l u e n c e f r o m t h e Apocalypsis Mosis ( 2 9 , 1 3 ) , n o t f o u n d i n t h e Vita, in t h e a n g e l s a n d l i v i n g c r e a t u r e s assembled around Adam. p a r . 6 { s e c o n d t e m p t a t i o n o f E v e ) , Vita 9 ; Apoc. Mosis p a r . 7, Vita 9 - 1 0 ; Apoc. Mosis p a r . 8 , Vila \\ ( E v e s p e a k s ) ; p a r . 9 , Vita 1 2 - 1 3 ; p a r . 1 0 , Vite 1 4 - 1 5 ; par. 1 1 ,

VitaW.

par. 12,cf. Vito16; p a r . 1 3 , cf. Vita 1 7 .

29,15-16;

29,15-16;

NOTES

167

4. THE DEATH OF ADAM V e r s e text o f Saltair na Rann;. s e e D a v i d G r e e n e a n d F e r g u s K e l l y , e d . . The Irish Adam and Eve Story, v o l . I, ( D u b l i n , 1 9 7 6 ) . l i n e s 2 0 2 1 - 2 2 4 0 , T h e s o u r c e s o f t h i s s e c t i o n o f Saltair na Rann h a v e b e e n i n v e s t i g a t e d in d e t a i l b y B r i a n O . M u r d o c h i n The Irish Adam and Eve Story from Saltair na Rann, v o l . I I , C o m m e n t a r y , p p . 1 3 8 - 1 4 7 . It is t h e final s e c t i o n o f t h e Irish A d a m a n d E v e B o o k i n Saltair na Rann a n d h a s e l e m e n t e b o t h f r o m t h e Apocalypsis Mosis a n d t h e Vita Adae et Evae. T h e p o e t is n o t f o l l o w i n g Apocalypsis Mosis a s s u c h - s o m e d e t a i l s a n d the o r d e r i n g a r e s u b s t a n t i a l l y d i f f e r e n t . N e i t h e r i s t h e Vita Adae et Evae t h e s o u r c e , a l t h o u g h it i s c l e a r l y d e m o n s t r a b l e that t h e o r i g i n s a r e L a t i n . T h e Saltair t e x t a t l e a s t p r e s e n t s e v i d e n c e o f a n A d a m b o o k i n L a t i n t h a t p r e s e r v e s f a r m o r e o f t h e e l e m e n t e k n o w n otherv^ise f r o m t h e Apocalypsis Mosis t h a n a n y o f t h e e x t a n t t e x t s . A v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g f e a t u r e o f t h e Sfl//fl/r text, c o m p a r e d w i t h o t h e r v e r n a c u l a r d e r i v a t i v e s o f t h e Vita Adae et Evae tradition in a n y f o r m , is t h e virtual e x c l u s i o n o f the role o f Seth (Murdoch, p. 138). This Seth tradition, h o w e v e r , w a s k n o w n i n I r e l a n d t h r o u g h its p r e s e n c e in t h e G o s p e l o f N i c o d e m u s J J I ( X I X ) (text no. 19 o f t h e p r e s e n t c o l l e c t i o n ) .

5. ADAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS E x t r a c t s f r o m p o e m b e g i n n i n g A//unVcflfcft coimsid rami, f r o m t h e B o o k o f Ui M a i n e , b e g i n n i n g f 9 4 a , c o l l a t e d with t e x t found in s e v e r a l r e c e n s i o n s o f Ixbor Gabdla, p u b l i s h e d b y R . A . S . M a c A l l i s t c r , Lebor Gabdla Erenn, P a r t 1 ( D u b l i n , 1 9 3 8 ) , 1 7 2 - 9 7 . This text w a s p r o b a b l y c o m p o s e d f r o m a v a r i e t y o f t r a d i t i o n s a n d s o u r c e s . S o m e Irish e l e m e n t s a p p e a r , e . g . t h e M o u n t o f P a r t e c h ( p a r . l ) a n d t h e w e l l o f P a r t i a c h ( p a r . 2 ) in P a r a d i s e . N o t e a l s o C a i n ' s m u r d e r o f A b e l w i t h t h e j a w - b o n e o f a c a m e l . It r e m a i n s f o r f u t u r e r e s e a r c h t o identify the sources o f the other traditions.

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6. THE TWO SORROWS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN McNamara no. 9; T e x t o f Lebor nahUidre, ff 1 7 - 1 8 ( d i p l o m a t i c e d i t i o n , e d . R . I . B e s t a n d O . B e r g i n , Lebor na hUidre, D u b l i n , 1 9 2 9 , l i n e s 1 3 5 6 - 1 4 2 9 ) w i t h o m i s s i o n s supplied f r o m version in the B o o k of Leinster, p p 2 8 0 - 2 8 1 . T h i s is a n a p o c r y p h a l w o r k to w h i c h m u c h s c h o l a r l y a t t e n t i o n h a s b e e n g i v e n , a l t h o u g h i t i s h e r e b e i n g t r a n s l a t e d i n t o E n g l i s h f o r t h e first l i m e . Its points of contact with the E n o c h a n d Elijah tradition a n d the A n t i c h r i s t l e g e n d h a v e b e e n n o t e d . M . R . J a m e s (The Cambridge Medieval History, v o l . 3 , 1 9 2 2 , 5 0 5 ) w a s o f t h e o p i n i o n " t h a t it is a d o c u m e n t b a s e d o n a n apocryphon w h i c h it is s a f e to s a y , b e l o n g s to e a s t e m C h r i s t e n d o m " . S t J o h n D . S e y m o u r (PRIA 3 7 C , 1 9 2 6 , 1 1 0 - 1 1 1 ) h a s p o i n t e d o u t s i m i l a r i t i e s b e t w e e n t h i s w o r k a n d o t h e r Irish c o m p o s i t i o n s w h i c h s p e a k o f E n o c h a n d Elijah p r e a c h i n g o n t h e D a y o f D o o m to souls under the form of birds. T h e w o r k m a y very well be composite, putting together, e v e n juxtaposing, independent traditions on the central theme. W e m a y n o t e that w h i l e both E n o c h a n d Elijah are m e n t i o n e d at the b e g i n n i n g a n d the e n d , in the central section only Elijah features. M o r e light will probably b e cast o n the nature a n d origin o f the composition w h e n studied against the b a c k g r o u n d of the Elijahapocryphal tradition (e.g. The Apocalypse of Elijah), o f w h i c h t h e A n t i c h r i s t is a n i n t e g r a l p a r t , a n d of the E n o c h a n d Elijah tradition. S e e Richard J . B a u c k h a m ( " T h e M a r t y r d o m o f E n o c h a n d E l i j a h : J e w i s h o r C h r i s t i a n ? " , / o u r . Bib. Lit. 9 5 , 1 9 7 6 , 4 4 7 - 4 7 8 ) , K . B o r g e r (Die Auferstehung des Propheten und die ErhohungdesMenschenshohnes.Traditionsgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zur Deutung des Geschickes }esu in fruhchristlichen Texten, S t u d i e n z u r U m w e l t des N.T. 13, Gottingen, 1976). C o m p a r i s o n o f f u r t h e r i t e m s o f t h e Irish t e x t , s u c h a s t h e p a r t i c u l a r f o r m o f t h e A n t i c h r i s t tradi l i o n , w i t h a n a l o g o u s m a t e r i a l i n t e x t s f r o m I r e l a n d a n d e l s e w h e r e m a y a l s o h e l p to i d e n t i f y m o r e c l o s e l y t h e w o r k ' s literary associations.

NOTES

169

This particular apocryphon seems to h a v e been one of the sources u s e d b y a u t h o r o f The Vision of Adomnan (text 26, par. 43 o f this collection).

7. STORY OF DAVID T e x t f r o m Y e l l o w B o o k of L e c a n , f. 1 2 1 b ; t r a n s c r i b e d b y K u n o M e y e r , Z C P 13 (1920), 177. T h i s is a g a r b l e d a c c o u n t o f t h e b i b l i c a l r u r r a t i v e o j n c e m i n g A b s a l o m , D a v i d , U r i a h , J o a b , N a t h a n , a n d S a u l , f r o m 1 a n d 2 S a m u e l . It b e g i n s with an account of Absalom and his growth of hair, from 2 S a m 1 4 2 5 2 6 . It g o e s o n to s p e a k o f t h e D a v i d ' s a d u l t e r y w i t h t h e w i f e o f U r i a h , a n d e v e n t s o f t h e s e c o n d A m m o n i t e c a m p a i g n ( 2 S a m 1 1 ) . U r i a h is g i v e n a s D a v i d ' s s o l d i e r ; J o a b a p p e a r s a s A b s a l o m . In p a r a g r a p h n o . 2 " A b s a l o m " i n t h e first o c c u r r e n c e s t a n d s for J o a b o f 2 S a m 1 0 , n e x t a s Joab's m e s s e n g e r o f 2 S a m 10:22. T h e next part i s b a s e d on N a t h a n ' s d e a l i n g s w i t h D a v i d a c c o r d i n g to 2 S a m 1 2 , N a t h a n ' s n a m e b e i n g r e p l a c e d b y " t h e l a d " . B e h i n d t h e first p a r t o f t h e l a s t p a r a g r a p h t h e r e m u s t s t a n d t h e a c c o u n t o f S a u l ' s a t t e m p t o n D a v i d ' s l i f e (1 S a m 1 9 : 1 0 ) , followed inmiediately b y a passage apparently based on D a v i d ' s b e h a v i o u r o n the death of his child b y Bathsheba (2 S a m 12:16-19).

8. THE POWER OF WOMEN M c N a m a r a n o . lOB; T e x t o f B o o k o f L e i n s t e r , 2 8 2 a (Book of Leinster

vol. 5,36554-36618)

T h i s is a v e i s i o n o f t h e f a m o u s t a l e o n t h e r e l a t i v e s t r e n g t h o f w i n e , kingsand women,found alsointheapocryphal workl (3)Esdras3;l~ 4 : 3 2 . ( T h e f o u r t h s e c t i o n o n t h e s t r e n g t h o f truth in 4 : 3 3 - 4 1 w a s a d d e d i n t h e later t r a n s m i s s i o n o f t h e s t o r y ; o n l y t h e first t h r e e a r e e n v i s a g e d

170

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in 3 : 1 2 . ) . I n 1(3) E s d r a s t h e k i n g is t h e P e r s i a n D a r i u s , a n d t h e first t w o s p e a k e r s a r e a n o n y m o u s , w h i l e t h e t h i r d is i d e n t i f i e d a s ( t h e j e w ) Z e r u b b a b e l . T h e s t o r y is o l d e r t h a n 1(3) E s d r a s , t h e a u t h o r o f w h i c h b o o k a d a p t e d it f o r h i s o w n p u r p o s e s . A v a r i a n t f o r m , d i f f e r i n g i n a n u m b e r o f w a j ^ f r o m t h a t o f 1(3) E s d r a s , i s f o u n d in J o s e p h u s , Antiquities 11,2,2-9.

9. THE DEATHS OF THE CHIEF PROPHETS T e x t o f B o d l e i a n M S R a w l i n s o n B 5 0 2 , 7 5 a , c o l l a t e d w i t h text o f Breac,

p . 1 8 1 b , S e e The Irish Sex Aetates

Mundi,

ed. Daibhi 6

Leabhar Croinin

(Dublin, 1983), pp. 9 3 , 1 2 9 . T h e r e is a n a p o c r y p h a l w o r k e n t i t l e d " T h e L i v e s o f t h e P r o p h e t s " , e x t a n t in a n u m b e r o f v e r s i o n s , i n c l u d i n g S y r i a c , E t h i o p i c , L a t i n a n d A r m e n i a n , b u t all d e p e n d i n g o n G r e e k o r i g i n a l s . It b e g i n s : " T h e n a m e s of the prophets, and where they are from, and where they died a n d h o w , a n d w h e r e they l i e " . This includes lives o f the four major, twelve minor prophetsand someothers (Nathan, Abijah, Joad, Azariah, Elijah, Elisha a n d Zechariah son o f j e h o i a d a ) . T h e original l a n g u a g e w a s probably Semitic, a n d w a s of Jewish rather than Christian origin, a l t h o u g h t h i s is n o t c e r t a i n . M a t e r i a l o f t h e k i n d f o u n d in t h i s a p o c r y p h o n w a s a l s o t r a n s m i t t e d in n o n - a p o c r y p h a l w o r k s , e.g. t h e g e n u i n e I s i d o r i a n De ortu et obitu patrum (PL 83, 129-175) and the pseudo-lsidorian, and probably l r i s h , a d a p t a t i o n o f this: Liber deortu et obitu patriarcharum. T h e precise o r i g i n s a n d p r e c e d e n t s o f t h e Irish p i e c e , h e r e t r a n s l a t e d , rerriains t o b e d e t e r m i n e d . O n e a r l y latin t e x t s s e e a l s o F . D o l b e a u , " D e u x o p u s c u l e s l a t i n s , r e l a t i f s a u x p e r s o n n a g e s d e la B i b l e et a n t e r i e u r s h I s i d o r e d e ScviWe",Reoued'histoire des textes\(i{\9?,6),^3-139 {on t h e p r e - I s i d o r i a n w o r k s : t h e pseudo-Epiphanius,Li&eZ/us...pnor«mProp/ieterMm,and t h e De ortu et obitu Prophetarum et Apostolorum).

NOTES

171

10. INFANCY GOSPEL McNamara, nos 3 7 , 4 3 ; T e x t ( w i t h m i n o r o m i s s i o n s ) , i s t h a t o f R I A M S 2 3 O 4 8 {Liber Flavus Fergusiorum),\\,if Swa-lxa. Here,asG!sGwhere,omissionsare i n d i c a t e d thus:.... In 1 8 9 5 E d m u n d H o g a n p u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e Leabhar Breac a n i r i s h I n f a n c y N a r r a t i v e , u n d e r t h e title " L e g e n d s o n t h e C h i l d h o o d o f C h r i s t " ( E . H o g a n , Thelrish Nenniusfrom L. m hUidreand Homilies and Legends from L. Breac, T o d d L e c t u r e S e r i e s 6, D u b l i n , 1 8 9 5 ) . In 1 9 2 7 M . R. J a m e s r e p u b l i s h e d t h e E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n of t h i s , t o g e t h e r w i t h t w o L a t i n t e x t s ( B L A r u n d e l 4 0 4 a n d H e r e f o r d , M S 0 . 3 . 9 in t h e L i b r a r y o f t h e D e a n a n d C h a p t e r ) ( M . R . J a m e s , Latin Infancy Gospels, C a m b r i d g e ) , i n 1 9 7 6 J a n G i j s e l p u b l i s h e d a s t u d y o f t h e s e t w o L a t i n texts, o f t h e i r sources, p r o v e n a n c e a n d date of origin. H e argued that the infancy N a r r a t i v e o f t h e s e t w o t e x t s o r i g i n a t e d in s o u t h - w e s t G e r m a n y i n t h e Carolingian a g e (Jan Gijsel,"Les ' E v a n g i l e s latins d e I'Enfance'de M . R . J a m e s " , Analecta Bollandiana 94,1976,289-302). T h e Irish t e x t h e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t r a n s l a t i o n in t h e m a n u s c r i p t f o r m s p a r t o f a l o n g e r w o r k w h i c h b e g i n s w i t h t h e u p b r i n g i n g o f M a r y . It p r o v i d e s f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h e s t u d y o f Irish I n f a n c y n a r r a t i v e s , a n d especially of the recension k n o w n through the Latin texts, of w h i c h m o r e a r e n o w k n o w n t o s c h o l a r s t h a n t h e t w o e d i t e d b y M . R. James.

11. THE WONDERS OF THE NIGHT OF THE NATIVITY McNamara, no.44A; T e x t o f Leabhar Breac, 1 3 2 b - 1 3 3 b , c o l l a t e d w i t h o t h e r m a n u s c r i p t c o p i e s . O n t h e text t r a d i t i o n , s e e B r i a n 6 C u i v , ' T h e s e v e n t e e n w o n -

172

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V e m a m H u l l . " T h e M i d d l e Irish A p o c r y p h a l a c c o u n t o f T h e s e v e n t e e n m i r a c l e s a t C h r i s t ' s b i r t h ' " , Modem

Philology

43 (1945-6), 25-39.

A d d i t i o n a l m a t t e r o n t h e M a g i i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e text o f t h e t h i r t e e n t h w o n d e r in t h e L e a b h a r B r e a c a n d r e l a t e d t e x t s is p r i n t e d s e p a r a t e l y a s n o . 1 3 l>eIow. In w h a t m a y b e a n e a r l i e r s o u r c e u s e d b y t h e c o m p i l e r , o r p e r h a p s e v e n a l a t e r i n t e r p o l a t i o n , J o s e p h i n t h e Protoevangelium

lacobi ( 1 8 , 2 ) s p e a k s

o f n a t u r e s t a n d i n g still a n d o f o t h e r m a r v e l s t a k i n g p l a c e a t t h e b i r t h o f C h r i s t . " A n d I [ J o s e p h ] l o o k e d u p a t t h e v a u l t o f h e a v e n , a n d s a w it s t a n d i n g still a n d t h e b i r d s o f t h e h e a v e n m o t i o n l e s s . A n d I l o o k e d a t t h e e a r t h , a n d s a w a d i s h p l a c e d t h e r e a n d w o r k m e n l y i n g r o u n d it, w i t h t h e i r h a n d s in t h e d i s h . B u t t h o s e w h o c h e w e d d i d n o t c h e w , a n d those w h o lifted u p a n y t h i n g lifted u p nothing, a n d those w h o p u t s o m e t h i n g to t h e i r m o u t h p u t n o t h i n g ( t o t h e i r m o u t h ) , b u t all h a d their faces turned u p w a r d s . A n d behold, sheep were b e i n g driven a n d ( y e t ) t h e y d i d n o t c o m e f o r w a r d , b u t s t o o d still; a n d t h e s h e p h e r d r a i s e d h i s h a n d t o s t r i k e t h e m w i t h h i s staff; b u t h i s h a n d r e m a i n e d u p . A n d I l o o k e d a t t h e f l o w o f t h e river, a n d s a w t h e m o u t h s o f k i d s o v e r it a n d t h e y d i d n o t d r i n k . A n d t h e n all a t o n c e e v e r y t h i n g w e n t o n i t s c o u r s e ( a g a i n ) " ( t r a n s l a t i o n a s in E . H e n n e c k e - W . S c h n e e m e l c h e r , New Testament

Apocrypha,

I,383f.). T h e p a s s a g e o n the cessation o f n a t u r e at

C h r i s t ' s b i r t h i s a l s o in t h e A r u n d e l a n d H e r e f o r d I n f a n c y G o s p e l s ( p a r . 7 2 ) , in t h e Irish I n f a n c y N a r r a t i v e , e d i t e d b y H o g a n ( p a r . 6 8 ) a n d i n t h e text n o 1 0 a b o v e ( p a r . 1 4 ) . It m a y b e t h a t t h e t r a d i t i o n f o u n d in I r i s h t e x t s o f t h e s e v e n t e e n ( o r sixteen) w o n d e r s on the night Christ w a s b o m d e v e l o p e d f r o m that on the silence or cessation of nature. The precise sources behind these w o n d e r s , h o w e v e r , r e m a i n to b e d e t e r m i n e d . R o b i n F l o w e r e x p r e s s e d t h e v i e w t h a t t h e " t h e m e " for t h e I r i s h a c c o u n t o f the s e v e n t e e n m i r a c l e s w a s a p a s s a g e o f O r o s i u s ' Historiarum

adversum

paganos

libri

VII ( 6 , 1 8 ; e d . Z a n g m e i s t e r , C S E L 5 , 4 1 3 ) , w h e r e t h e R o m a n h i s t o r i a n mentions three portents announcing the advent of Christ. A r g u m e n t s in f a v o u r o f t h i s m i g h t b e s e e n in t h e f a c t t h a t O r o s i u s ' t e x t i s c l e a r l y u s e d in w h a t a p p e a r to b e H i b e m o - L a t i n c o m m e n t a r i e s o n

Luke

(£j:jiflsfHo/V'£D(m^e/iorum,inLuke2,PL30,587CDand the a n o n y m o u s V i e n n a C o m m e n t a r y , In Lucam

2, ed. C C L 108C, 13). A stronger

a r g u m e n t m i g h t b e s e e n in t h e fact that t h e Catechesis

Celtica

(appar-

NOTES

173

e n t l y o f Irish o r i g i n ) d e v e l o p s O r o s i u s ' t h r e e p o r t e n t s i n t o t e n . D e s p i t e all t h i s , a s V e m a m H u l l ( a r t . c i t . p . 2 6 ) h a s n o t e d , n o n e of O r o s i u s ' portents (with the possible exception of the second) bears the least r e s e m b l a n c e to t h e m i r a c l e s e n u m e r a t e d i n t h e Irish text. F u r t h e r m o r e , for O o s i u s these portents take place in R o m e , not at j e m s a l e m . T h e s e o b s e r v a t i o n s a p p l y a l s o to t h e e x p a n d e d v e r s i o n o f t h e m i n t h e Catechesis Celtica. T h u s , t h e h i s t o r y b e h i n d t h e Irish t e x t still r e m a i n s t o b e d i s c l o s e d .

HA. ADDITIONAL RELATED TEXT T e x t o f British Library M S Egerton 92, f 28va See Brian 6 Cuiv, " T h e seventeen wonders", pp. 117,124.

12. THE MAGI McNamara, iw. 48; E x t r a c t f r o m I n f a n c y n a r r a t i v e i n Leabhar

Breac, b e g i n n i n g p . 1 3 7 a .

Previously edited a n d translated by E. Hogan, " L e g e n d s o n the childh o o d o f Q i r i s t " i n The Irish Nennius, p p . 5 8 - 7 3 . For t h e Hibemo-Latin tradition see Robert E. McNally, " T h e T h r e e H o l y K i n g s in E a r l y Irish L a t i n W r i t i n g " , i n Kyriakon. Festschrift Johanna Quasten, M u n s t e r ( W e s t f a l i e n ) , 1 9 7 0 , v o l . 2 , 6 6 7 - 6 9 0 . T h e first t w o p a r a g r a p h s o f t h i s text w e r e c i t e d b y S e d u l i u s S c o t t u s i n h i s c o m m e n t a r y o n M a t t h e w ( B . L o f s t e d t , e d . , in t h e s e r i e s " A u s d e r

174

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCHRYPHA

Geschichte d e r lateinischen Bibel", Freiburg i m Br., 1989) as c o m i n g from " t h e Gospel which is entitled According to the H e b r e w s " ; the c i t a t i o n a l r e a d y in B . B i s c h o f f , Sacris E r i d f r i 6 ( 1 9 5 4 ) , 2 0 3 f . = Mittelalterliche Studien 1,216; in Biblical Studies. The Medieval Irish Contribution, ed. M . M c N a m a r a , D u b l i n , 1 9 7 5 , 8 3 ; t e x t s i n E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n i n E. Hennecke, W . Schneemelcher, eds. (Eng. trans, b y R . M c L , Wilson), New Testament Apocryphi 1,151. T h e Irish t e x t o f t h e Leabhar Breac e v i d e n t l y d e r i v e s f r o m a v e r y e a r l y L a t i n text.

13. ANECDOTE CONCERNING THE MAGI Extract f r o m text of ' T h e seventeen w o n d e r s " (No.ll above).

14. INFANCY GOSPEL OF THOMAS Natiorwl Library of Ireland M S G 5 0 . Based o n edition o f text b y J a m e s C a r n e y , The Poems of Biathmac, (Irish T e x t s S o c i e t y , V o l . X L V I I , D u b l i n , 1964) Seealso Stephen G c r o , ' T h e Infancy Gospel of T h o m a s . A S t u d y of the T e x t u a l a n d L i t e r a r y P r o b l e m s " , Novum Testamentum 13(1971), 46-50; J . Noret, ' T o u r u n e edition d e I'Evangile d e I'enfance selon T h o m a s " , Analecta Bollandiana 90(1972), 412; G. Philippart, "Fragments p a l i m p s e s t e s l a t i n s d u V i n d o b o n e n s i s 5 6 3 ( V e sifecle?)", Analecta B o / I f l n r f w n a 9 0 ( 1 9 7 2 ) , 3 9 1 - 4 1 1 ; M . M c N a m a r a , " N o t e s o n t h e Irish G o s p e l o f T h o m a s " , Irish Theological Quarterly 3 8 ( 1 9 7 1 ) , 4 2 - 4 6 . T h e title n o w c o m m o n l y g i v e n t o t h i s w o r k " T h e I r i f a n c y G r a p e l o f T h o m a s " is a r e c e n t o n e . T h e w o r d " G o s p e l " f i g u r e s i n n o n e o f t h e m a n u s c r i p t s . In m o s t o f t h e m t h e w o r k is a l s o a n o n y m o u s . Its a s c r i p t i o n t o T h o m a s is f o u n d o n l y in s e c o n d a r y b r a n c h e s o f t h e t r a d i t i o n . T h e h i s t o r y o f t h e a p o c r y p h o n still r e m a i n s to b e f u l l y explored. T h e w o r k is extant in Syriac, Georgian, Ethiopian, G r e e k ,

NoTRs

175

L a t i n a s w e l l a s i n t h i s Irish v e r s e a d a p t a H o n . T h e o r i g i n a l l a n g u a g e s e e m s to h a v e b e e n G r e e k . T h e r e l a t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s w i t n e s s e s to o n e a n o t h e r h a s yet to b e w o r k e d out. T h r e e Latin witnesses are k n o w n : the i n d e p e n d e n t Latin text p u b l i s h e d b y C . T i s c h e n d o r f in Evangelia apociyphi, e d . a l t e r a , L e i p z i g , 1 8 7 6 ; t h e L a t i n text f o r m i n g p a r t o f t h e Latin G o s p e l of P s e u d o - M a t t h e w ; finally the Latin f r a g m e n t s o f the Vienna palimpsest,edited by Philippartinl972.The Vienna fragmenls a n d t h e P s e u d o - M a t t h e w text b e l o n g to o n e t r a d i t i o n , w h i l e t h a t p u b l i s h e d b y T i s c h e n d o r f l o a d i s t i n c t o n e . It is r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e a p o c r y p h o n in t h e L a t i n W e s t is a c o m p l i c a t e d o n e . T h e I r i s h t e x t i s i n v e r s e . I t s r e l a t i o n s h i p to t h e o t h e r t e x t s o f t h e apocryphon have been studied b y James Carney and M . M c N a m a r a . I t s p o s i t i o n w i t h i n t h e a p o c r y p h o n ' s o v e r a l l h i s t o r y still r e m a i n s l o b e d e t e r m i n e d . W h i l e it is i m p o r t a n t a s a n e a r l y w i t n e s s f o r t h e a p o o y p h o n i n t h e W e s t , t h e fact t h a t it i s i n v e r s e , w i t h t h e i m p l i e d f r e e d o m f o r t h e p o e t a u t h o r , s e e m s to m i n i m i s e i t s u t i l i t y a s a s o u r c e for t e x t u a l t r a n s m i s s i o n . E a c h e p i s o d e h a d p e r f o r c e to b e b r o u g h t w i t h i n t h e c o m p a s s o f a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f l i n e s . It a p p e a r s to b e f a r r e m o v e d f r o m t h e o r i g i n a l c o m p o s i t i o n . T h e full h i s t o r y o f t h i s a p o c r y p h o n i n i t s ( G r e e k ? ) o r i g i n a l a n d v a r i o u s trartslations is b e i n g e x a m i n e d b y l u a n S e v e r i n V o i c u , w h o s e o p i n i o n s o n thelrish text w e e a g e r l y a w a i t .

15. THE ABGAR LEGEND McNamara no. 51; Tract o f Leabhar Breac, 1 4 6 c 2 8 - 1 4 7 a 3 , c o l l a t e d w i t h v e r s i o n o f T r i n i t y C o l l e g e Dublin M S H 2 17. Previously edited b y P. C o n s i d i n e , "Irish V e r s i o n s o f t h e A b g a r L e g e n d " , Celtica 1 0 ( 1 9 7 3 ) , 2 3 7 - 5 7 . This contains the well-known apocryphal correspondence between Jesus a n d A b g a r . This h a s been preserved for u s through its inclusion b y E u s e b i u s o f C a e s a r e a in h i s Ecclesiastical History a n d w a s k n o w n i n the W e s t through the Latin translation of Rufinus. S e e further P. C o n s i d i n e a n d M c N a n w r a , o p . cit.

176

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

16. LETTER OF JESUS ON SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

McNamara

no.52;

P o r t i o n o f text o f Leabhar Breac, 2 0 2 b 2 5 - 2 0 3 b 5 0 , c o l l a t e d w i t h o t h e r manuscript copies. For account of text tradition, see previous edition b y J . G . CKKeeffe, " C a i n D o m n a i g " . Eriu 2 ( 1 9 0 5 ) , 1 8 9 - 2 1 4 . I n c i u s i o n o f t e x t s s u c h a s t h i s a m o n g " A p o c r y p h a " b r i n g s to a h e a d t h e p r o b l e m s o f defining exactly what one m e a n s b y this term. T h i s letter, originating from the heavenly Saviour Jesus Christ, rather than the Jesus o f history, a n d this well after the N e w T e s t a m e n t period, is not included in such collections of N e w Testament A p o c r y p h a a s those of M . R . J a n w s o r E . H e n n e c k e - W . S c h n e e m e l c h e r . A r e v i e w o f The Apocrypha in the Irish Church (Eludes Celtiques 1 9 7 8 , 1 3 8 ) c o n t a i n s a n o t e ofProfessorHenri-Irenee Marrou saying hedoesnot quileunderstand w h y t h e n o t i o n o f " A p o c r y p h a " is e x t e n d e d to i n c l u d e a w o r k s u c h a s t h i s . It i s , h o w e v e r , a d m i s s i b l e i n t h e b r o a d e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e t e r m a c c e p t e d b y t h e A s s o c i a t i o n p o u r I ' E t u d e d e la L i t t e r a t u r e A p o c r y p h e C h r e t i e n n e , w h i c h a m o n g its list o f a p o c r y p h a l t e x t e f e a t u r e s : " L e t t r e d u C h r i s t l o m b e e d u c i e l " . It is a l s o i n c l u d e d in F . S t e g m i i l l e r ' s list (Reperiorium Biblicum Medii Aevi, I, M a d r i d , 1 9 4 0 , n o . 148). F o r m o r e on this a n d H i b e m o - L a t i n texts on S u n d a y o b s e r v a n c e , s e e McNamara, nos 52A, 52B, 52C.

17. THE MYSTICAL TREE McNamara no. 64; Text of B o o k of Lecan, 193,183(174)vl370ib.l.20; previous edition b y R . T h u m e y s e n , 'T>er m y s t i s c h e B a u m " , Z C P 1 4 ( 1 9 2 3 ) , 1 6 - 1 7 .

NOTES

177

T h e t h e m e o f t h e c o s m i c t r e e is f o u n d i n t h e B i b l e , i n E z e k i e l 3 1 : 3 - 9 a n d Daniel 4:7ff. A s W . Eichrodt n o t e s in h i s c o m m e n t o n E z e k 31 {Ezekiel. A Commentary, L o n d o n , 1 9 7 0 , 4 2 5 ) : " I t is p e r f e c t l y c l e a r t h a t t h e m a g n i f i c e n t t r e e , d e s c r i b e d in w . 3 - 9 , i s n o t just a n o r d i n a r y t r e e o f u n u s u a l l y l a r g e di m e n s i o n s , b u t is i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e g r e a t w o r l d - t r e e , k n o w n not o n l y to M e s o p o t a m i a n religion a s the Kishkanu tree in E r i d u , a n d to T e u t o n i c r e l i g i o n a s t h e w o r l d a s h - t r e e in t h e E d d a , b u t also to the V e d a s a n d the U p a n i s h a d s in India, a n d p l a y i n g an i m p o r t a n t p a r t e v e n in C h i n a a n d i n t h e r e l i g i o n o f t h e A r c t i c t r i b e s " ( w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o M . E l i a d e , Die Religionen und das Heilige, 1 9 5 4 , c h a p . VIII, p p . 299ff.). Illustrative texts from the Upanishads o n the c o s m i c t r e e a r e g i v e n b y M . E l i a d e in Patterns in ComparativeReli^on{Cleveland a n d N e w Y o r k , M e r i d i a n B o o k s , 1 9 6 3 ) , 273f. T h e i d e a is d e f i n e d f a i r l y f o r m a l l y in t h e U p a n i s h a d s : t h e U n i v e r s e i s a n i n v e r t e d t r e e , b u r y i n g i t s r o o t s i n t h e s k y a n d s p r e a d i n g its b r a n c h e s o v e r t h e w h o l e e a r t h . Eliade d e v o l e s a special section to this particular t h e m e : " T h e Inverted T r e e " ( p p . 2 7 4 - 2 7 6 ) . A S a b e a n t r a d i t i o n h a s it t h a t P l a t o d e c l a r e d m a n to b e a plant turned upside d o w n , with roots stretching to heaven a n d b r a n c h e s to t h e e a r t h . T l i e s a m e t r a d i t i o n is f o u n d in H e b r e w e s o t e r i c l e a c h i n g ( t h e Zohar): " N o w the Tree of Life extends from a b o v e d o w n w a r d s , a n d it i s t h e S u n w h i c h i l l u m i n a t e s a l l " . It o c c u r s i n D a n t e {Paradiso x v i i i , 2 8 f f . ) ; " t h e t r e e w h o s e l i f e is f r o m i t s t o p " . It is f o u n d , too, in Federico Frezzi, a Florentine poet m u c h influenced b y D a n t e : " t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l p l a n t o f P a r a d i s e ... w h o s e r o o t s a r e a b o v e , i n heaven, whose brandies g r o w towards earth". T h e ' l e g e n d " o f w h i c h t h e Irish t e x t s p e a k s is p r e s u n u b l y s o m e L a t i n w o r k in the tradition of the c o s m i c a n d inverted tree w h i c h writers such as Mircea Eliade have examined.

18. THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST McNamara no. 55; Text f r o m Yellow Book of Lecan, col. 849; transcribed b y Kate MullerL i s o w s k i , Z C P 1 4 ( 1 9 2 3 ) , 1 4 5 - 5 3 , c o l l a t e d w i t h t h e Leabhar Breac t e x t

178

IRISH BIBLICAI,

( s e e R . A t k i n s o n , Passions

APOCHRYPHA

and Homilies,

lines 818-960).

T h e text h e r e p u b l i s h e d is c o m p o s i t e . T h e first p a r t i s o n t h e m a r t y r d o m o f J o h n the Bapfist. T h e second part (par. 8-11) gives the account o f the revelation o f the whereabouts o f John's head which w a s m a d e l o n g a f t e r w a r d s to t w o m o n k s f r o m t h e e a s t . T h i s l e g e n d i s b a s i c a l l y t h e s a m e a s t h a t p r i n t e d b y t h e B o l l a n d i s t e i n Acta Sanctorum,}une,

vol.

5 ; n e w e d . , P a r i s a n d R o m e , 1867, 6 1 5 - 1 7 ; e a r I i c r e d . , J u n e , v o l . 4 , 716ff. T h e first p a r t o f t h e t e x t i s a c o m b i n a t i o n o f b i b l i c a l a n d o t h e r e v i d e n c e . T h e r e a r e Irish s e c u l a r t e x t s o n t h e d r u i d M o g h R u i t h , w h o i n Irish t r a d i t i o n w a s i n v o l v e d in t h e b e h e a d i n g o f J o h n . O n t h e s e s e e M c N a mara, nos 56-57.

19 GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS M c N a m a r a no$ 5 8 - 5 9 ; E x t r a c t f r o m t e x t o f R I A M S 2 3 O 4 8 {Uber Flavus Fergusiorum), collated with the corresponding text o f M S 24 P 25.

ii, 2 6 b ,

S e e also G . C O'Ceallaigh, " D a t i n g the C o m m e n t a r i e s o f N i c o d e m u s " , Harvard Theological Review 5 6 ( 1 9 6 3 ) , 2 1 - 5 8 ; H . C . K i m , The Gospel of Nicodemus, Toronto, 1973; reprint 1979, T h e t e x t h e r e p u b l i s h e d in t r a n s l a t i o n i s b u t o n e o f a n u m b e r o f Irish texts having to d o with the passion, death, resurrection, ascension of C h r i s t , a n d w i t h t h e H a r r o w i n g o f H e l l . T h i s Irish t r a d i t i o n n e e d s t o b e studied within the larger history of apocryphal writings on these m a t t e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e L a t i n CHiurch o f t h e W e s t . T h e A p o c r y p h a in question w e r e very p o p u l a r a n d that k n o w n in m o r e r e c e n t times a s t h e Acta o r Gesta Pilati h a s b e e n t r a n s m i t t e d to u s in h u n d r e d s o f m a n u s c r i p t s . I n m e d i e v a l times t h i s w a s k n o w n a s Evangdium

Nicodemi

o r Gesta Salvator^.

The Latin iranuscript evi-

d e n c e s h o w s t h a t it w a s a l s o k n o w n u n d e r a n u m b e r o f o t h e r t i t l e s , e . g .

NOTES

179

Passio Domini secundum Nicodemum, Tractatus secundum Nicodemum, Historia Nicodemi, Acta Christi Domini, Explanatio dominicae passionis, Epistoh de Pilato et ludds, Epistola Beati Nicodemi. S e v e r a l m a n u s c r i p t e , i n f a c t , r e f e r to it a s Evangelium Nazareorum, a designation d r a w n p r o b a b l y f r o m a n o t h e r w o r k k n o w n only through its title a n d s o m e fragments. T h e m e d i e v a l t e x t s o f t h e Evangelium Nicodemi g e n e r a l l y i n c l u d e t h e n a r r a t i v e o f C h r i s t ' s D e s c e n t i n t o H e l l , o f t e n r e f e r r e d t o a s p a r t II o f t h i s w o r k . H o w e v e r , the earliest manuscript of t h e a p o a y p h o n (the V i e n n a p a l i m p s e s t 5 6 3 ) o m i t s it. In t h e L a t i n m a n u s c r i p t s t h e Descensus is rarely differentiated b y heading or otherwise from the preceding sections. A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t p o i n t i s t h a t t h e Evangelium Nicodemi is p r e s e r v e d Jn M e d i e v a l L a t i n m a n u s c r i p t s t h r o u g h s e v e r a l l i n e s o f t r a r w m i s s i o n . Furthermore, there are prologues and epilogues which are present o n l y in certain of these branches. A l l t h e s e p o i n t s m u s t b e b o r n e i n m i n d in a s t u d y o f t h e Irish m a t e r i a l , a s a n y o n e o f t h e m m a y b e significant in identifying the particular tradition l o w h i c h a given Irish text belongs. T h e Leabhar Breac t e x t is h e a d e d i n L a t i n : ' T a s i o D o m i n i NcKtri J e s u C h r i s t i " ; t h a t o f 2 4 P 2 5 , " S t a i r N i c o m e i d a r p a i s C r i s l " . T h e Uber Flavus Fergusiorum text, h e r e presented in translation, e n d s : " g u r u b i sdair nicomctt ara pais cunuigi sin" ( " t h u s far the History of N i c o m e d u s o n h i s P a s s i o n " ) . B e h i n d t h i s d e s i g n a t i o n t h e r e m u s t s t a n d t h e Historia Nicodemi ( w i t h m e t a t h e s i s t o N i c o m e d i ) o f s o m e m e d i e v a l t e x t s .

180

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20. TEXTS RELATING TO THE BELOVED DISCIPLE 2 0 A . EnSODES FROM THE LIFE O F JOHN, THE BELOVED DISCIPLE 2 0 B . FRAGMENT O F AN APOCALYPSE, AND DEATI I OF jOl IN

McNamara, no. 83; T e x t o f R I A 2 3 0 4 8 {Liber Flavus Fergusiorum) i, ff 3 2 v a - 3 3 v b (text 2 0 A ) ; 32ra - 3 2 v a (text 2 0 B ) ; transcribed (without translation) b y G . M a c N i o c a i O , Eigse 8 ( 1 9 5 6 [ 1 9 5 7 ] ) , 2 4 8 - 2 5 3 (text 2 0 B ) ; Eigse 8 ( 1 9 5 6 ( 1 9 5 7 1 ) , 2 2 2 - 2 3 0 (text 2 0 A ) . S e e n o w E . J u n o d a n d ] . - D . K a e s t l i , e d s . . Acta lohannis (Corpus Christianorum. Series Apocryphorum 1-2), v o l . I , Praefatio-Textus; II, Textus alii, comrnentarius, iridices, T u m h o u t , 1 9 8 3 ; 1 , 1 0 9 - 1 1 6 f o r Uber Flavus m a t e r i a l . T h e s e texts h a v e b e e n transcribed in reverse o r d e r in the manuscript. A c o l o p h o n a t t h e e n d o f text 2 0 B d ^ r i b e s t h e w o r k a s a " L i f e o f J o h n t h e B e l o v e d D i s c i p l e " , i n Irish c o r r u n o n l y c a l l e d Eoin Bruinne, " J o h n o f the Breast", because he reclined o n Jesus' breast al the Last S u p p e r (John 13:25). T h e c o l o p h o n also says that this Life o f J o h n w a s translated f r o m Latin into Irish b y Uidhisdin M a c Raighin. H e w a s a m e m b e r of the Canons Regular of St Augustine of Holy Island of L o u g h R e e o n t h e Sharvnon a n d d i e d i n 1 4 0 5 . P r e s u m a b l y t h e o r d e r o f t h e texts w a s different in M a c Raighin's original translation. O u r present texts m a y represent but portion of this Life o f J o h n .

T h e s o u r c e o f t e x t 2 0 A , p a r . 1-8 is t h e Passio

lohannis

of Pseudo-

M e l l i t u s ; p a r . 9 - 1 4 o f 2 0 A a r e c l o s e l y r e l a t e d to a v e r y o l d t e x t o f t h e Acts of John f o u n d i n t h e O x y r h y n c h u s P a p 3 m i s n o . 8 5 0 ; s e e d i s c u s s i o n in J u n o d and Kaestli, 1,117-136; M c N a m a r a , o p . cit. 2 0 B , p a r . 1-9, c o n t a i n s a n a p o c a l y p t i c text. It b e g i n s i m j j e r f e c t , t h e o p e n i n g s e c t i o n b e i n g lost. T h e s o u r c e s e e m s to b e s o m e o t h e r w i s e u n k n o w n apocryphal a p o c a l y p s e connected with J o h n ; see text n o . 27, p a r . 1 o f t h i s c o l l e c t i o n a n d M . R . J a m e s , The Apocryphal New T^tament,

NOTES

181

p. 190 (the B o g o m i l e " B o o k of J o h n the Evangelist"). Text 2 0 B , p a r . 10-18 on the burial a n d last m o m e n t s of John a r e f r o m t h e Passio lohannis o f P s e u d o - M e l l i t u s ; s e e J u n o d a n d K a e s t l i , 1,11 O a n d II, 7 6 4 , n . 3 , 8 2 7 - 8 3 2 . P a r a g r a p h 2 0 o f 2 0 B s e e m s d e p e n d e n t o n A u g u s t i n e ' s Tractatus 124 in lohannem. T h e Life of the Beloved Disciple a s translated b y M a c Raighin is e v i d e n t l y a c o m p o s i t e w o r k . W h a t r e m a i n s to b e d e t e r m i n e d is w h e t h e r t h i s is d u e to M a c R a i g h i n h i m s e l f o r to t h e a u t h o r o f t h e L a t i n composition h e r e n d e r e d into Irish.

21. THE ACTS OF PETER AND PAUL McNamara no. 85; T e x t o f Leabhar Breac ( w i t h o m i s s i o n o f h o m i l e t i c e x o r d i u m a n d f j e r o r a t i o ) , p r e v i o u s l y e d i t e d b y R. A t k i n s o n , Passions and Homilies, lines 1681-1911. s e e R . A . L i p s i u s a n d M . ^rmet, Acta Apocryphorum Leipzig, 1891; reprint, Darmstadt, 1959,119-177.

Apocrypha,

vol.l,

T h e Leabhar Breac text h e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t r a n s l a t i o n is t h u s i n t r o d u c e d a t t h e e n d o f t h e p e r o r a t i o : ' T a u l w a s i m p r i s o n e d in t h e e n d , a n d w a s s c o u r g e d b y the J e w s i n J e r u s a l e m , a n d w a s b r o u g h t to R o m e i n c h a i n s t o b e e x h i b i t e d b e f o r e N e r o C a e s a r , a s is n a r r a t e d b y M a r c e l l u s , t h e d i s c i p l e o f t h e A p o s t l e s ; - A f t e r P a u l r e a c h e d R o m e . . . " . M a r c e l l u s is a person m e n t i o n e d in the original apocryphal Acts o f Peter. T h e later c o m p o s i t i o n The Acts of Peter and Paul, o r The Martyrdom of Peter and P a w / a t t r i b u t e d to h i m w a s p r o b a b l y w r i t t e n i n t h e sixth c e n t u r y . T h e r e a r e t w o r e c e n s i o n s o f t h i s w o r k . T h e l o n g e r b e g i n s ; Cum venisset Paulis Romam, convenerunt ad eum omnes fudad dicentes: Nostram fidem, in qua natus es, defende ( e d . L i p s i u s , p . 1 9 1 ) . T h e incipit o f t h e Irish t e x t c o r r e s p o n d s to t h i s a n d in p o i n t o f f a c t t h i s text a p p e a l s t o g o a l o n g v e r y c l o s e l y w i t h t h e l o n g e r r e c e n s i o n , a s edi ted b y L i p s i u s . D e t e r m i nation of the precise nature of the relationship requires further study.

1 8 2

IRISH BIBLICAL

APOCHRYPHA

22. THE PASSION OF THE APOSTLE PHILIP McNamara, no. 93; T e x t o f Leabhar Breac, 1 7 9 b - 1 8 0 b ; p r e v i o u s l y e d i t e d b y R . A t k i n s o n , Passions and Homilies, l i n e s 2 4 8 4 - 2 5 7 0 . T h e text o f The Passion of the Apostle Philip t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h I r i s h sources is quite different from the traditionally k n o w n " A c t s of P h i l i p " . T h e Irish m a t e r i a l a g r e e s r a t h e r c l o s e l y , h o w e v e r , w i t h t h e e n t r y f o r P h i l i p i n t h e Apostolic History o f P s e u d o - A b d i a s , w h e r e , h o w e v e r , n o m e n t i o n is m a d e o f h i s m a r t y r d o m . T w o f e a t u r e s p e c u l i a r t o t h e Irish t e x t s s e e m to b e t h e r e f e r e n c e s t o h i s tonguebeing cutout and hisburialinBethsaida.Thfe legend regarding his tongue b e i n g cut o u t a n d restored g a v e Philip the n a m e ' T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e " i n Irish t r a d i t i o n . S e e b e l o w , n o . 2 3 .

23. THE EVERNEW TONGUE McNamara, no. 94; Text o f the Book of Lismore, 8 8 a l - 9 4 c l 0 . Selections; n u m b e r e d specially for this edition. Previous edition by Whitley Stokes, ' T h e E v e m e w T o n g u e " , 2(1905), 96-147.

Eriu

T h e r e a r e t h r e e r e c e n s i o n s o f t h i s w o r k ; t h a t t r a n s l a t e d h e r e is t h e F i r s t R e c e n s i o n . T h i s is p r o b a b l y f r o m t h e t e n t h c e n t u r y . Opinions differ as to the nature of the w o r k a n d the sources used. R o b i n R o w e r {Catabgue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum, 2, L o n d o n , 1 9 2 6 , 5 5 7 ) t h i n k s it p r o b a b l y r e p r e s e n t s a t r a n s l a t i o n o r a d a p t a t i o n o f a l o s t L a t i n Apocalypse of Philip; t h e f r a g m e n t s o f L a t i n e m b e d d e d i n t h e Irish text s e e m to p o i n t to a L a t i n s o u r c e . M . R . J a m e s

NOTES

183

iJThS 20, 1 9 1 9 , 9 - 1 3 ) s u g g e s t s that t h e a u t h o r h a s b o r r o w e d i n p a r t f r o m L a p i d a r i e s a n d B e s t i a r i e s o f t h e M i d d l e A g e s , a n d is a l s o o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h e t e x t f o l l o w s t h e G r e e k , a s a g a i n s t t h e L a t i n Acts of Philip, i n t h e r e c o r d o f t h e S a i n t ' s m a r t y r d o m . M o r e r e c e n t l y , P e t e r Ki t s o n ( " T h e J e w e l s a n d B i r d Himalh o f t h e ' E v e r - N e w T o n g u e ' " , Eriu 3 5 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 1 3 - 1 3 6 ) h a s studied the texts o f the a p o c r y p h o n c o n c e r n i n g f o u r m a g i c a l j e w e l s d e c l a r e d to p o s s e s s a m y s t i c l i k e n e s s t o h u m a n b e i n g s (par. 43-47 of R e c e n s i o n i) a n d concerning the m o n s t r o u s bird hiruath ( p a r . 5 8 of R e c e n s i o n ! ) , a n d e x a m i n e s t h e p r e s u m e d s o u r c e s i n l a p i d a r y texte a n d t r a v e l l e r s ' t a l e s . H e a l s o n o t e s t h e e x i s t e n c e o f t h e s a m e t r a d i t i o n s in t h e l ^ t i n M S B L R o y a l 6 . A . x i ( f 1 4 6 v ) , a f o u r t e e n t h c e n t u r y t e x t , a n d r e g a r d s t h i s L a t i n text a s a h i t h e r t o u n r e c o g n i z e d d e r i v a t i v e o f t h e Irish p a s s a g e s i n q u e s t i o n . M u c h painstaking literary a n d source analysis is required before any really informed judgement can b e passed o n this interesting c o m p o s i t i o n . P a r . 5 8 h a s a t r a d i t i o n o f t h e e x o t i c b i r d hiruath {hirodius o f P s 1 0 3 : 1 7 ) w h i c h i n s u b s t a n c e is f o u n d a l r e a d y i n t h e H i b e m o - L a t i n c o m m e n t a r y o n t h i s p s a l m in C o d e x P a l . L a t . 6 8 ; ( e d . M . M c N a m a r a , Clossa in P^mos. Gloss on the Psalms of Codex Vaticanus Palatino-Latinus 68, S t u d i e T e s t i 3 1 0 , V a t i c a n L i b r a r y , 1 9 8 6 , 2 1 3 ) ; s e e M . M c N a m a r a in Eriu 3 9 ( 1 9 8 8 ) , 8 7 - 9 4 . T h e c o s m o l o g i c a l o r c o s m o g r a p h i c a l v i e w s o f t h e texts should n o w b e c o m p a r e d with such newly-identified c o m m e n t a r i e s o n t h e C r e a t i o n N a r r a t i v e s of G e n e s i s ; t h e y w i l l b e f o u n d t o h a v e m u c h in c o m m o n ; s e e M . M c N a m a r a , " C e l t i c C h r i s t i a n i t y , C r e a t i o n a n d A p o c a l y p s e , C h r i s t a n d A n t i c h r i s t " , MiUtown Studies no.23 (Spring 1989), 7,12f. The work might conceivably b e better d e scribed a s a theological treatise than an a p o c r y p h o n , e v e n t h o u g h in the climate of ideas with which w e a r e dealing the differences b e t w e e n o n e a n d the other m a y not b e too clearcut.

2 4 . TRANSITUS MARIAE M c N a m a r a no. 97; B a s e d o n t e x t o f M S R o y a l Irish A c a d e m y 2 3 O 4 8 (Liber

Flavus

184

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Ferguswrum), ii, f 48(49)a-50(51)b, collated with version in Bodleian M S L a u d M i s c . 6 1 0 . T h e p r e s e n t e x t r a c t c o r r e s p o n d s to p p . 2 8 - 5 5 o f t h e e d i t i o n o f t h e L a u d t e x t b y C h a r l e s D o n a h u e , The Testament of Mary: The Gaelic Version of the Dormitio Mariae ( N e w Y o r k , 1 9 4 2 ) . S e e a l s o S t J o h n D . S e y m o u r , " I r i s h V e r s i o n s o f t h e Transitus Mariae", JThS 2 3 ( 1 9 2 2 ) , 3 6 - 4 3 ; M i c h e l v a n E s b r o e c k , " L e s t e x t e s l i t t e r a i r e s s u r I ' A s s o m p t i o n a v a n t l e X e s i d c l e " , in F r a n c i s B o v o n , e d . , Les Actes Apocryphes des Apotres, C^n^ve, 1981, 265-285; R. Wiilard, " T h e T e s t a m e n t o f M a r y . T h e Irish A c c o u n t o f t h e D e a t h o f t h e V i r g i n " , Recherches de Iheobgie ancienne et medievale 9 ( 1 9 3 7 ) , 3 4 1 - 3 6 4 . I n t h i s e d i t i o n t h e p a r a g r a p h s a r e n u m b e r e d t o facilitate r e f e r e n c e to Willard's essay. W e h a v e s p o k e n a b o v e ( p p . xivf., w i t h n o t e s , x x i ) o f t h e s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e Irish m a t e r i a l ( b o t h L a t i n a n d v e r n a c u l a r ) f o r a h i s t o r y o f t h e a p o c r y p h a l t e x t o n t h e A s s u m p t i o n o f t h e ViTg;in. T h e text here translated from M S 23 0 4 8 belongs to a family represented a l s o b y t h e o t h e r Irish v e r n a c u l a r t e x t . L a u d M i s c 6 1 0 a n d t h e L a t i n t e x t in T r i n i t y C o l l e g e , D u b l i n , M S F . 5 . 3 . In h i s s t u d y o f t h e t e x t s M . v a n E s b r o e c k a s s i g n s a d a t e c. 7 0 0 to t h e f o r m o f t h e a p o c r y p h o n f o u n d in b o t h t h e v e r n a c u l a r Irish t e x t s . H e c l a s s e s it in t h e " P a l m o f t h e T r e e o f L i f e " t y p e ( b y r e a s o n o f its i n c l u s i o n o f t h ^ t r e e ) , a n d i n h i s " g e n e a l o g i c a l t r e e " h a s it d e s c e n d f r o m t h e f i f t h - c e n t u r y S y r i a c f o r m o f t h e w o r k . F r o m the Irish f o r m of text w o u l d h a v e descended the Latin f o r m o f the T r a m i t u s e d i t e d b y A . W i l m a r t in Analecta Reginensia ( S t u d i e T e s t i 5 9 ) , Vatican, 1933,323-362. T h e Transitus apocryphon proper ends with par. 4 9 of the present t r a n s l a t i o n . T h e r e m a i n d e r is q u i t e a d i f f e r e n t a p o c r y p h o n , t h e s t o r y o f a visit to t h e O t h e r - w o r l d ; a s R . W i i l a r d n o t e s ( p p . 3 6 1 f.), in f a c t , t h e Apocalypse of Paul in a n e w g u i s e . A l r e a d y i n 1 9 2 2 S t . J o h n D . S e y m o u r n o t e d t h e c l o s e a f f i l i a t i o n s o f t h e I r i s h t e x t w i t h t h e S y r i a c Obsequies of the Holy Virgin. L a t e r r e s e a r c h a g r e e d w i t h h i m . It is n o t e w o r t h y i n this r e g a r d t h a t a l s o in t h e S y r i a c Obsequies t h e r e is a p r e s e n c e o f t h e Apocalypse of Paul ( W i i l a r d , 3 6 3 ) . It r e m a i n s f o r f u t u r e r e s e a r c h t o f u r t h e r d e v e l o p t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f

NOTES

185

t h e s e r e l a t i o n s h i p s . It a p p e a r s t h a t t h e Irish a u t h o r o f The Vision of Adomnan (tenth-eleventh century) h a d before h i m this a p o c r y p h a l w o r k i n t h e f o r m i n w h i c h w e h a v e it i n Irish s o u r c e s ( s e e t e x t 2 6 , p a r . 3 o f this collection).

25. IRISH TEXT OF VlSiO SANCTI PAULI McNamara no. 91A; T e x t o f M S R I A 2 5 P 2 5 , p p . 6&-80 (ff 3 7 c - 3 8 c ) ; S e e ].E. C a e r w y n Williams, "Irish Translations o f the Visio Sancti P a u l i " , E i ^ 6(1960), 127-134. T h e Irish t e x t s r e p r e s e n t R e c e n s i o n IV o f t h e Visb Sancti Pauli, a recension transmitted b y a n u m b e r o f manuscripts, a n d also in the s p u r i o u s h o m i l y 1 0 0 o f B e d e (in PL 9 4 , 5 0 1 - 5 0 2 ) . T h e Irish t e x t h e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t r a n s l a t i o n , in f a c t , f o l l o w s t h i s P s e u d o - B e d a n H o m i l y very closely.

26. THE VISION OF ADOMNAN M c N a m a r a no.lOO; T e x t o f Ubor

na hUidre,

ff 27a-31b (lines 1939-2301).

S e e D a v i d D u m v i l l e , ' T o w a r d s a n I n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f Fis Adamnan", Studia Celtica 1 2 - 1 3 ( 1 9 7 7 - 8 ) , 6 2 - 7 7 ; J a m e s J o s e p h C o l w e l l , " F i s A d a m n a n . A c o m p a r a t i v e s t u d y , w i t h i n t r o d u c t i o n , text, a n d c o m m e n t a r y b a s e d on thevetsionof t h e L e b o r n a H u i d r e " (UnpublishedPh. D.dissertation, U n i v e r s i t y o f E d i n b u r g h , 1 9 5 2 ) ; C . S . B o s w e l l , An Irish Precursor of Dante. Astudy on thevisionofheavenandhellascribed to the eighth-century Irish Saint Adamnan, London, 1908; Jane Stevenson, "Ascent through t h e H e a v e n s , f r o m E g y p t to I r e l a n d " , Cambridge Medieval Cdtic Studies

186

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5 ( S u m m e r , 1983), 21-35 (includes treatment o f the Seven H e a v e n s in Fis

Adommin)-

In t h e w o r d s o f D a v i d D u m v i l l e (art. cit. p . 7 7 ) t h e t e n t h o r e l e v e n t h c e n t u r y a u t h o r " h a s c r e a t e d i n Fis Adamnan a minor masterpiece of medieval literature; his w o r k stands head a n d shoulders a b o v e the other visions o f the early a n d central M i d d l e Ages. H e w a s indeed a w o r t h y Irish Precursor of Dante". A treatment of the literary questions, o f the M S S a n d of the author's s o u r c e s c a n b e seen in Dumville's study. A s sources t h e a u t h o r u s e s the s e v e n h e a v e n s a p o c r y p h o n , t h e v e r s i o n s o f Visio Pauli, a n d t h e purgatorial theories of Gregory the Great. Together with this, as a l r e a d y n o t e d , h e u s e s t h e Irish A p o c r y p h a The Two Sorrows of the Kingdom of Heaven (text n o . 6 o f t h i s c o l l e c t i o n ) a n d t h e Irish r e c e n s i o n o f t h e Transitus Mariae (text n o . 2 4 a b o v e ) . T h u s , e v e n if i n itself it c a n n o t b e d e s c r i b e d a s a n a p o c r y p h a l w o r k , it c o n t a i n s s o m u c h a p o c r y p h a l m a t e r i a l t h a t it d r a e r r c s s t u d y a m o n g t h e A p o c r y p h a .

27. ANTICHRIST M c N a m a r a n o . 104J; TextofBookofLismore,fll0a3O-110c20.Eariierb:anslationby Douglas H y d e , " A M e d i e v a l A c c o u n t of A n t i c h r i s t " , i n R . S . L o o m i s , e d . . Medieval Studies in Memory of Gertrude Schoepperle Loomis ( P a r i s , 1 9 2 7 ) , pp. 391-398. T h e A n t i c h r i s t t r a d i h o n in I r e l a n d h a s b e e n s t u d i e d b y B r i a n 6 C u i v , ' T w o I t e m s f r o m Irish A p o c r y p h a l T r a d i t i o n " , Ce/ft'ca 1 0 ( 1 9 7 3 ) , 8 7 - 1 1 3 (87-102:1. The Conception and Characteristics of Antichrist). Here he l i s t s t h e v a r i o u s v e r n a c u l a r Irish t e x t s , a n d p u b l i s h e s a n Irish p o e m o n t h e t o p i c f r o m t h e Book of Ui Maine a n d a M S i n t h e N a t i o n a l L i b r a r y o f S c o t l a n d . In s o f a r a s t h e p o e m is i n t e l l i g i b l e . P r o f e s s o r (!) C u i v n o t e s t h a t its A n t i c h r i s t S t o r y h a s t h e f o l l o w i n g e l e m e n t s : (1) A n t i c h r i s t i s the son of his o w n sister w h o c o n c e i v e s h i m w h e n h e r father, a b i s h o p

NOTES

187

in J e r u s a l e m , lies w i t h h e r o n the Friday before Easter at the instigation o f t h e d e v i l ; ( 2 ) in a p p e a r a n c e A n t i c h r i s t h a s a flat f a c e w i t h o n e e y e ; (3) h e has miraculous powers: h e c a n m a k e gold out o f grass a n d aniseC?) a n d w i n e o u t o f w a t e r , h e c a n c a u s e d i s e a s e a n d c a n c u r e t h e sick, h e can create a m o o n , sun and elements(?), he can d o a n j ^ n g t h a t C h r i s t d i d o n e a r t h e x c e p t r e s t o r e p e o p l e to l i f e ; ( 4 ) h e h a s a t h o u s a n d fair w o m e n i n h i s c o m p a n y . B . 0 C u i v f u r t h e r n o t e s t h a t c o m p a r i s o n w i t h o t h e r Irish t e x t s s h o w s s e v e r a l c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s . It r e m a i n s for f u t u r e r e s e a r c h to b r i n g t o g e t h e r t h e Irish v e r n a c u l a r a n d H i b e m o - L a t i n e v i d e n c e o n A n t i c h r i s t a n d to s t u d y t h i s w i t h i n t h e l a r g e r c o n t e x t o f t h e t r a d i t i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y in t h e L a t i n C h u r c h . S e e also M. M c N a m a r a , "Celtic Christianity. Creation and Apocalypse, C h r i s t a n d A n t i c h r i s t " , MiUtown Studies n o . 2 3 ( S p r i n g 1 9 8 9 ) , 2 6 - 3 0 .

28. THE SEVEN JOURNEYS OF THE SOUL T e x t s ; V e r s e f o r m , Leabhar

Breac,

p . 8 8 ; p r o s e : N L I G I;

P r e v i o u s l y e d i t e d b y M a i r e H e r b e r t i n Eigse 1 7 ( 1 9 7 7 ) , 4 - 6 , 8 . A s t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n to t h e o r i g i n a l e d i t i o n s t a t e s , t h e o r i g i n o f t h e i d e a o f t h e s o u l ' s s e v e n d a y s o f f r e e d o m a f t e r d e a t h is o b s c u r e , a n d p r o b a b l y d e r i v e s from s o m e p r i m i t i v e fradition. T h e P e r s i a n s b e lieved that the soul stayed on earth for three days after death, while acquiring no n e w knowledge of the world during this time. M . R. J a m e s {The Testament of Abraham, Texts a n d Studies II, 2 , C a m b r i d g e , 1 9 0 6 , 1 2 2 ) notes the p r e s e n c e o f the belief that souls m a d e a t o u r of the u n i v e r s e i n t h e t i m e b e t w e e n d e a t h a n d j u d g m e n t in 2 Esdras, Pistis Sophia, Apocalypse ofZephaniah a n d t h e Spurious Homilies of Macarius. It is a l s o f o u n d in t h e Visio PauU. H o w e v e r , in n o n e o f t h e t e x t s m e n t i o n e d i s t h e s o u l ' s t o u r set o u t in t h e s y s t e m a t i z e d f a s h i o n o f t h e Irish texts. T h e latter a r e probably b a s e d on a Latin original, b u t n o n e h a s b e e n fraced. T h e Leabhar

Breac

text i s a s c r i b e d to " M o e l m o e d o c m a c D i a r m a d a " ,

188

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

probably identical with the person of the s a m e n a m e slain in the battle o f C e n n F u a i l in 9 1 7 a c c o r d i n g to t h e Annals

of

Ulster.

29. THE SIGNS BEFORE DOOMSDAY McNamara no. 104B; T e x t o f Saltair

na Rann, l i n e s 8 0 1 7 - 8 3 3 6 .

S e e St J o h n D . S e ) m i o u r , ' T h e S i g n s o f D o o m s d a y i n t h e S a l t a i r n a R a n n " , PRIA 3 6 C ( 1 9 2 3 ) , 1 5 4 - 1 6 0 ; W i l l i a m W . H e i s t , The fifteen Signs before Doomsday, East Lansing, 1952. T h i s t e x t is b u t o n e of t h e e x c e p t ! o n ally r i c h Irish l i t e r a t u r e o n t h e S i g n s before D o o m s d a y . O n this s e e the s u m m a r y in M c N a m a r a , n o . 104. T h e Saltair, d e p e n d e n t o n t h e Apocalypse ofThonm, has theolder Seven Signs type, but spreads the signs over nine d a y s and adds some n e w s i g n s . St J o h n D . S e y m o u r a t t a c h e d p a r t i c u l a r i m p o r t a n c e to t h e Saltair na Rann t e x t i n t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e t r a d i t i o n i n t h e W e s t , " i n t h a t it s e e m s to s e r v e a s a c o n n e c t i n g l i n k i n s u b j e c t , a n d p e r h a f « in t i m e a l s o , b e t w e e n t h e s e v e n - s i g n g r o u p a n d t h e f i f t e e n - s i g n g r o u p " . W i l l i a m W . H e i s t c o n c u r s w i t h S e y m o u r ' s v i e w . In t h e c o n c l u s i o n to h i s b o o k o n t h e s u b j e c t ( p . 1 9 3 ) h e w r i t e s : I h a v e tried h e r e to s h o w that the additional strophes, CLIII-CLXII, o f t h e Saltair na Rann c o n s t i t u t e a c r u c i a l t e x t i n t h e s t u d y o f t h e origin and development of the legend of the Fifteen Signs before D o o m s d a y . T h e y a r e cerlaiiUy t h e k e y to t h e s t u d y o f t h e l e g e n d , a n d t h e y a r c p r o b a b l y its a c t u a l o r i g i n a l . F o r if t h e o r i g i n o f t h e l e g e n d r e m a i n s s o m e w h a t u n c e r t a i n , it i s o n l y in t h e s e n s e t h a t w e c a n n o t p r o v e b e y o n d cavil t h a t t h e i m m e d i a t e s o u r c e f r o m w h i c h it is d e v e l o p e d w a s the matter in these additional strophes. T h e earliest clear trace of it appears h e r e , a n d nothing in the legend p o i n t s b e y o n d t h e s e s t r o p h e s to a n y e a r l i e r s o u r c e , e x c e p t t o t h e r e c o g n i z e d m a i n s o u r c e of Saltair na Rann, t h e Apocalypse ofThotnas. B u t n o o t h e r f o r m o f t h e Apocalypse of Thomas c a n d i s p u t e w i t h Saltair na Rann t h e p o s i t i o n o f p r o b a b l e s o u r c e o f o u r l e g e n d . S o it

NOTES

189

is s t a t i n g t h e c a s e v e r y m o d e r a t e l y to s a y t h a t it s e e m s m o s t l i k e l y t h a t t h e s e s t r o p h e s a r e t h e p r i m a r y s o u r c e of t h e F i f t e e n S i g n s , w i t h TTieEoeniCTyTongueservingas t h e TTK)Stimportant s e c o n d a r y s o u r c e , e v e n t h o u g h w e cannot quite e x c l u d e t h e possibility that t h e l e g e n d h a d b e e n a l r e a d y f o r m e d w h e n t h e Saltair na Rann w a s c o m p o s e d a n d that the latter b o r r o w e d from the legend a s well a s f r o m the Apocalypse of Thomas, u p o n w h i c h it is p r i m a r i l y b a s e d . T h i s a n d a n u m b e r o f o t h e r c o n t e n t i o n s r e g a r d i n g Irish A p o c r y p h a w i l l , u n d o u b t e d l y , u n d e r g o s c r u t i n y in t h e c u r r e n t r e s u r g e n c e o f scholarly interest in N e w Testament A p o c r y p h a .

INDEXES ( References

to text numbers

Abda, 9:5 Abel, 4:49; 5:8-13 Abersetus, 26:20 Abian, 23:3 Abgar, 15, passim A b i m e , 19:1,1 12:15;

subdivisions)

A n t i c h r i s t , 6:7; 1 9 : X X V ; 2 0 B , 2-4; 27, passim Aristodemus, 20A:4-9 Arpachshad, 9:4 A s t a i r , 19:11,4 A u g u s t u s , 10:5

1. PERSONS

Abraham,

and

B a l c i s a r , 1 2 : 2 , 1 8 ; 13:1 B a r a b b a s , 19:IX,1 Birro, 20A:11

19:XIV,2;

X V i U ; 21:3 A b s a l o m 7:1.2 A d a m , 1:2; 2 : 1 > 9 , 1 2 - 1 8 ; 3 : 1 > 5,7-8,10-12; 4:1-5,8,18,2022, 24-26, 3 0 , 33, 37, 40-45, 47-53; 5:1,4;6:6; 16:12d, 12y; 1 9 : X I X ; X X I 1 , 1 ; XXni,3; XXrV,l,2; X X V ; X X V I ; 2 3 : 1 2 , 1 3 , 4 2 , 4 4 ; 24:49; 25:6,10; 26:16; 28-3; 29:79

Caesar, 11:18; 1 9 , Prologue; 19:11,5; V , 2 ; I X , 1 , 3 ; 2 1 : 1 ; 22:1 Caesarian tribute, Caesar's tribute, etc„l 0:1; 2,5.6 Caesarian tax, 11:28 C a i a p h a s , 19:1,1; ! i , 4 ; X I 1 , 1 ; X I V 3 ; XVI,6; XV!I,2 Cain, 5:8-11,13,15 C a l p u r n i u s , 26:41

A d o m n a n , 26:3,26,40,41 A g r i p p a , 19:11,4; 2 1 : 4 , 1 5

Amra, 19:IV3 A m r a m , 23:11 A n a n i a s , 15:4 A n d r e w , 24:14.19-21 A n n a s , 19:1,1; 11,4; Xll,!; X I V , 3 :

Came, 1 5 3 Carinus 19:XVII,3; 19:27 C a s p e r , 12:2 Cassandra, 18:4 Centurio, 19:XI,2 Chaldeans (land oO, 12:3 Cherubim, 2:16 Cirin, 1 0 5 Constantine, 26:42 C r i s p u s , 19:11,4 C u r s o r , 19:1,2 Cyrinus, 10:5

XVI,6; XVII,2 A n n a s (the scribe), 14:8 A n t o i n i . 19:11,4

Daniel, 9:5; 27:2 D a t h a n , 19:1,1

Agrippina, 21:4 A l e x a n d e r , 19:1,1 A l p h a e u s , 15:1 A m e o n , 10:1,2,36 A m e s , 19:11,4 A m o s (father

o f Isaiah),9:2;

19:XVni,3; X X U

191

192

IRISH BIBLTCAL APOCHRYPHA

D a v i d , 7:1-3; 10:1,3; 11:18; 1 9 0 ( 1 , 1 ; X X I , 2 , 3 ; XXIV,2 Diarmaid, 28:9 D i s m u s , 19:X,1 D r o m a n n D a r i i (a h o r s e ) , 1 2 : 1 7 Ebionites, 22:5 E f f a n (a h o r s e ) , 1 2 : 1 7 E g y p t i a m s , 6:6 EHas, 1 6 : 1 2 m Elijah, 6:1,2,7,8; 19:XV,1,6; XVI,6; 2 6 : 4 3 ; 2 7 5 E l i s h a , 19:XV,1 Elizabeth (motheroffohn),

19:XVni,5

El i z a b e t h ( d a u g h t e r o f G o m e r ) , 18:4 E m m a n u e l , 19:xxi,2 E n o c h , 6 : 1 , 8 ; 19:XXV; 2 6 : 4 3 ; 275 E u a g a r i u s , 15:3.4 Eve, 2:43-15,17-18; 3:1-8,12; 4:2-3, 5-6, 11,14, 1 6 , 18-23, 2 7 - 2 8 ; 5 : 2 , 4 ; 19:XXII,1 E v e m e w Tongue, 23, passim E z e k i e l , 9:4

Habakkuk, 19:XXIV3 Hebrew Virgin (Mary), 29:66 H e b r e w ( w i s e men, s a v a n t s , sages),23:9,10,18 H e b r e w w o m a n , 10:11 H e b r e w s , 21:1 Helena, 26:42 Hell ( p o r s o n i f i e d ) , 1 9 : X X , U ; X X I , 1,3; X X I I , 1; XXI1I,1,3 Herod, 1257,10;24:3 H e r o d ( s o n o f A n t i p a t e r ) , 18:16,8;19, Prologue

H e r o d i a s , 18:235

Hezekiah, 9:2 H i e s p a r , 12:2,18; 1 3 : 2 Hilkiah, 9 3 l a s m u s , 19JC,1 l e s p a r ( = H i e s p a r ) , 13:1 Irish ( t h e ) , 2 6 : 4 1 Irishman, 18:8 I s a a c , 19:11,4; X I V , 2 ; 21:3

Isaiah, 9:2; 19:XV1II3; XXI,2 I s c a r i o t O u d a s ) , 15:1 J a c o b , 19:11,4; X I V , 2 ;

Fabian, 26:42 Fineis, 19:Ii,4 F i n n a c h t a F l e d a c h , 26:41 Gabriel, 2:16 G a m a l i e l , 19:1,1; XVn,2 Gentiles, 21:3 Goliath, 19:XI,1 G o m e r , 18:4 Gordian, 26:42 Greeks, 8 : U , 5

XVII,2;

XVII,2;

213 James (Apostle), 16:12m J a m e s t h e G r e a t , 15:1 J a m e s o f t h e K n e e s , 10:1,23.7; 1 2 : 1 1 , 2 0 ; 15:1 J e r e m i a h , 9:3 Jesse, 11:18 J e w , 8 : 5 ; 1 6 : 1 2 t ; 19:1,4,5; 11,1,3,4,6,11; 2 4 : 4 0 ^ , 4 5 ^ 6 ; 27:6 J e w s , 19:1,1; 21:1 J e w i s h p e o p l e , 12:5,6; 2 4 3 6 - 3 7

INDEXES

Jewish warrior, 8:4; John (Apostle), 16:12m J o h n son o f Z e b e d e e , 16:12r John the Evangelist, 24:79,11,14-17,19-21,32-35; 27:1 John, the Beloved Disciple, 16:12q; 2 0 A , passim; 2 0 B , 4 , 10,12,17,19 J o h n the Baptist, 16:12j; 18:1,4, 6 - 1 1 ; \9-XlX; X V I I I ^ ; 2 6 : 3 J o s e p h ( s p o u s e o f M a r y ) , 10:1 14;11:18;12:13,4,9,10,13,15,1720; 14:3,11,13,15,2034; 15:1; 19:1,1; 11,4; 2 4 : 3 Joseph of Arimathaea, 190(13; Xri,l; X I I U ; X V , l - 6 ; X V , 6 ; XVII,1,2; J u d a s ( J e w i s h l e a d e r ) , 19:1,1 J u d a s ( w i t n e s s ) , 19:11,4 J u d a s I s c a r i o t , 15:1 J u d a s T h a d d a e u s , 15:1 J u d a s T h o m a s , 15:1 Lamiach, 5:14,15 L a s t a i r , 19:11,4 Lazarus, 19:VIIi; X X , 3 L e u i , 19:1,1 Leuidus,19:XVII3; XXVII Libia, 21:4 L o n g i n u s , 19;X,1 L u b r a b a n u [ s ] , 18:11 Ludfer,2:l,7,9,14; 3:2,73,11,12; 20B:2; 26:25; 29:77 M a d i a n (name o f horse), 12:17 M a l c u s , 12:2 Manasseh, 9:2 M a r c e l l u s , 18:11 M a r s (idol), 22:2

193

Mary (Mother of Jesus), 2:4; 10:13,73,11,15; 1 1 : 1 8 ; 12:20 (i>i libra de Infanda Marie) 1 4 : 4 0 ; 1 6 : 1 2 g ; 19:1,1; 11,4 X V I , 2 ; XVni3; 2 4 , p a s s i m 262 Matthew, 208:15 Matthew, son of Alphaeus, 12:20 M e l c i s a r , 1 2 : 2 , 1 8 ; 13:1,2 Michael (Archangel), 2:16 3 : 9 , 1 0 ; 4 : 1 8 , 1 9 , 2 5 , 3 0 ; 6:7 19:X1X;XXV;XXV1I; 2 0 B : 2 3 24:19-2130-54; 25, passim 2 6 2 4 ; 27:6 M i d i a n , 19:1X3 M i n o r ( J a m e s M i n o r ) , 15:1 M o a b ( J o s e p h , M . i u s t u s ) , 10:1 Moelmoedoc, 28:9 M o g Ruith, 18:7 M o s e s , 1 6 : 1 2 m ; 1 9 : I V , 3 ; 23:11 Nemiasserus. 8:4 Neptis, 18:5 Nero. 21:4,63-15,17-18 N i c o d e m u s . 19:1,1; V,1.2; rX,l;

XII,1;XV,4; XVIU

N o a h , 16:12c

O c t a v i u s , 1 0 : 1 3 ; 11:18 Patifaxat, 12:2 Patrick (St), 26:42 Paul, 20B:15; 21:1,2,4,10,12,1417; 24:11,12,19-23; 2 5 , passim; 26:2 Peter, 16:1, 1 2 m ; 20B:15; 21:1,2,4-15, 17,18; 24:11-14; 19-23, 25-35; 40-46, 5 2 ;

IRISH BIBLICAL APOCHRYPHA

194

262,42 Pharaoh(s), 9 3 ; 6:6 P h i l i p ( t h e j u d g e ) , 18:1,2 Philip, son of Antipater, 18:1-4 Philip, son of Gordian, 26:42 Philip the apostle, 22, passim;

23:9 P i l a t e , 1 9 , p r o I o g u e , I-XII, p a s sim R o m a n ( s ) , 10:13; 1 9 , p r o l o g u e ; 21:16,18; 22:1; 26:42 Sailusa, 18:5 S a m u e l , 19:11,4

Thaddaeus

the

disciple,

15:12,4-7 Thaddaeus 0 udas Thaddaeus), 15:1 Thomas 20B:15 T h o m a s the apostle, 15:2,4 T h o m a s ( J u d a s T l i o i n a s ) , 15:1 Tiberius Caesar, 19, prologue Tinne (grandfather o f A d o m nan), 2 6 3 T o b i a s , 15:5,6 Virgin Mary, l 6 : 1 2 b ; 20A,1; 17:2; 24:3; 26:6; 29:33

Satan, 8:6; 1 9 : X X , l - 3 ; XX1II,3 S a t a n u s , 190a,U; X X I , 1 , 3 ;

Zacharias (father o f John), 18:4

XXII!,l-3 Semtenla (name of whale), 11:17 Seth 19:XIX S e u s i s p , 20A:9-11 Silvester, 26:42

14:22,2329 Zebedee, 15:1; l6;12r Z e n o , 14:43

Simeon

(of the Temple),

Zacharias

(the

scholar),

2 . PLACES

23:39 A f r i c a , 2339

1 9 0 ( V U ; XVI11,43 Simeon, son o f Joseph, 10:13 , 7 3 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 7 ; 12:13,10,12, 13

Abuad,

Simeon

A n a t h o t h , 9:3 Anatole, 2:3 A r a b i a , 1 1 A : 1 ; 12:3; 13:1 A r a b i a n ( g o l d ) , 12:8 A r c h o n , 2:3

(father o f Carinus),

190(VII3 S i m o n C a n n a n e u s , 15:1 S i m o n J u d a s Iscariot, 15:1 Simon M a g u s , 21:2,4-15 S i m o n P e t e r , 15:1 S i r u s , 19:1,1 S o l o m o n , 7:7; 8:1 T e t o s , 19:11,4 T h a d d a e u s t h e a p o s t l e , 15:1

A g o r e , 2:3 agro (in a g r o D a m a s g o ) , 2 : 4

A r d a r g a s , 18:1 A r i m a t h a e a , 19:XI3;

XV,l;XVir,l,2

A r m e n i a , 15:2 A r t o n , 2:3 A s c o l o n , 18:2

XII,2;

INDEXES

Asia, 22:5

XV,13

Asia M i n o r , 24:14 Babylonian (captivity), 9:5 Besata, 27:2 BethlehGm,10:l-3; 11:4,10,16, 18; 12:6,7, 2 0 ; 1 3 : 1 ; 1 9 : f U ; 1X3; 27:2; 28A Bethsaida, 22:9 Biblon, 2 3 C a n a a n (of Galilee), 16:12q Carbuban, 27:2 Caspian Sea, 11:17

E g y p t , 5 : 7 ; 9 : 3 ; 19:113; 243 E m i s e n a , 18:11 Euphrates, 2:2; 1 5 2

1X2;

Ficconicia (third h e a v e n ) , 4 : 4 6 Galilee, 10:1,2; 11:18; 1 9 : X I 3 ; XIIU Garganus, Mount, 20B:2 Gehon, 2 2 Hebron, 4 5 0 Hierapolis, 2 2 : 5 3 l e r u s o l i m o r u m (in locis),15:3 India, 1 2 : 3 , 1 7 Inshena, 18:10 Ireland ( m e n of), 26:41 19, Prologue,

Jerusalem, 4:52,53; 11:2,9 12:19; 18:8; 19:13; 0,3, XVII,2; X X V ; 21:18; 23:4 2 4 : 2 ; 2 7 : 5 ; 28:1; 2 8 A J o r d a n , 3 : 3 5 ; 16:12j; 19:XXVII; 282; 28A Juda, 10:1-3,5; 11:12,18; 1 2 : 1 7 2 0 ; 13:1; 1 8 5 Land of the Saints, 26:4,73,40 L a t i u m , 16:1 Malon, 2:3 M a o u r , 9:4 M i s s i m b r i a , 2:3 Mount Olivet, 24:3

Damasgo (in agro D . ) 2 : 4 Dead Sea, 2 3 3 Dusis, 2:3

Israel,

195

XIV3;

Naboth (islands oO, 23:37 Nazareth, 10:1,2; 11:18 N e p t a l i m , 19:1,1 Olivet(Mount),190CIV,l; XV,1; XVI3,6 Paradise, 1:122,4,63,9,10, 12,14,15,16,18; 3:12,7,8,10; 4 : 4 4 , 4 5 ; 5:13; 6:1,2; 1 0 : 1 5 ; 19:X3; X X I I U ; X X V ; X X V I ; 24:3,4935; 26:43; 27:5; 28:3,4 Pariath (mountains o O , 2:3 P a r t e c h ( M o u n t ) , 5:1 Partiach (well oO, 5 3 Persia, 10:7 Phison, 2:2 Piainof the Heavenly H o s t 2 6 : 8 Plati, 2 7 5

196

iRiSH BIBLICAL APOCHKYPHA

R e d S e a , 6:6; 16:12e; 1 9 ; I X ^ ; 21:3; 23:3 R o g c l ( o a k o f ) , 9:2 Rome(ofLatium),16:l,n;21:l; 2 6 : 4 2 ; R o m a n , 8 : 2 , 5 ; 16:1 S a b a m (islands of), 23:3 Sabes (birds of), 23:38 S c y t h i a , 22:1 Sevenheavens,23:27-29; 26:18ff. S i o n , M o u n t , 6-3; 2 3 3 - 5 Taphnai, 9 3 Tiber, 3:3,5-7 T i g r i s , 2:2 VaHcanus 21:18

3 . L A T I N W O R D S AND

brucha,

PHRASES

16:2

Domine quo uadis, 2 1 : 1 7 in tertio coelo, 4 : 4 6 omamentum, 431,48 passeres, 14:2 sacra via, 2 1 : 1 4 uado in Roma crudfigi, via ostiensi, 2 1 : 1 6

21:17

4. THINGS

Day of Judgement (Judgement D a y , Last J u d g e m e n t ) , 6 : 3 , 7 ; 25:9,16; 2 6 : 1 5 3 0 3 7 , 3 8 ; 27:6; 29, passim deluge, the 14:33; 16:12c

devii, the, 2:7,8 D o o m s d a y , 6:7; 1 6 5 ; 1 9 : XXIII,2; 20B;19; 23:7,41; 26:7,17,34,43; 27;3;29:63 and passim F e b r u a r y , fifteenth o f , 1 6 : 1 2 o F r i d a y , 5:4 H e b r e w , 19:1,4; 19:X,1 ( H . , G r e e k a n d LaHn); 2 2 : 4 ( H e b r e w l e t t e r s ) : lae, Uau, la, laih, 5:5 January, k a l e n d s of, 11:1 March, twentieth of, 19, p r o logue May-Day, 23:38 M a y , kalends of, 16:12p S a b b a t h , 1 4 : 5 ; 19:1,1; VI,1; XI,1,2 S a t u r d a y , 19:1,1 S u n d a y , 16, passim; 2 3 3 1 ; 24:54; 25:1,14,15; 26:38; 29:1 A e t c . , 5 3 , 6 7 serpent, the, 2:7-13.