The birth of Jesus and the 'three kings'

[Thomas Daniel]

The three kings that we commonly see associated with the Christ's birth are not mentioned in the Holy Bible. In Matthew and Luke it doesn't state there were three kings, only Magi. The only place where I have read that it mentions the three kings is the Armenian Gospel of Infancy.

Has anyone read it in any other place?

[Paul Cowan]

Hello Thomas:
I have found in Orthodoxy, not everything was written down, but verbal tradition. As much as we commemorate Sts. Joachim and Anna, they are no where to be found in the Bible.

I don't want to plagerize... http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/concerning_the_magi_and_their_na.htm

In Christian culture, the Magi were men who came, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, to adore the newborn Jesus. They were guided by the Star of Bethlehem. Their number was not identified in the Gospel of Matthew, but Christian tradition has set their number as three, called them kings, and named them Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The Feast of Epiphany, January 6th, commemorates their visit.

Their coming was foretold. "The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts, the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him" (72:10-11). Isaiah also prophesied the gifts: "Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord" (Isaiah 60:6).

One source states that the pseudo-Bedan text gives us the following clues about these men.

The oldest of the Magi was Melchoir, King of Arabia. He had a long gray beard and gave gold as a gift, symbolizing the acceptance of Christ as King.
Balthazar, King of Ethiopia, was middle-aged, swarthy, bearded, and bore the gift of frankincense, symbolizing Christ as High Priest.
Finally, Caspar was King of Tarsus, in his twenties. His gift was myrrh, which was used in making medicines. This symbolized Christ as the healer and great physician.

It is said that after discovering and honoring the Savior, the Magi returned home and surrendered their high positions, gave their property to the poor, and went to spread the Gospel. The apostle St. Thomas is said to have baptized them forty years later in India, ordaining them as priests. An excerpt from a Medieval saints calendar printed in Cologne reads: "Having undergone many trials and fatigues for the Gospel, the three wise men met at Sewa (Sebaste in Armenia) in 54 (AD) to celebrate the feast of Christmas. Thereupon, after the celebration of Mass, they died: St. Melchior on 1st of January, aged 116; St. Balthasar on 6th of January, aged 112; and St. Gaspar on 11th of January, aged 109." They became martyrs and were buried in the walls of Jerusalem.

I don't know if this answers your question. But it is more than I knew before I looked it up. I have also seen icons for each of them, but can't seem to put my mouse on them at the moment.

in XC,
Paul

[Alex Haig]

... The Feast of Epiphany, January 6th, commemorates their visit ...

In the Western Church their visit is commemorated on 6th January, but for Orthodox, we celebrate their visit on 25th December. 6th January, for us, is the feast of Theophany, the Baptism of Christ.

Does anyone know why this difference in calendar occurs? When does the Western Church commemorate the Baptism?

With love in Christ

Alex

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

In the Western Church their visit is commemorated on 6th January, but for Orthodox, we celebrate their visit on 25th December. 6th January, for us, is the feast of Theophany, the Baptism of Christ.

Does anyone know why this difference in calendar occurs? When does the Western Church commemorate the Baptism?

With love in Christ

Alex





The most ancient and first commemoration which included a reference to Christ's Nativity was actually Theophany. The main emphasis of this Feast was always on Christ's Baptism but this was in terms of His first manifestation or epiphany to the world. It was in this way that gradually within the larger universal Church other aspects of His manifestation- His Nativity, then the Magi associated with this- came to be associated with Theophany.

Later on however, in the 4th century I believe, Nativity as a separate feast arose in the West. It is the one major Feast which moved from west to east rather than the other way around. In any case one of the first patristic witnesses to this Feast being celebrated in the East can be found in a homily by St John Chrysostom.


Since the Calendar of major Feasts was developed before the Great Schism both east & west share the same dates for the same Great Feasts. So in the west January 6 is when Christ's Baptism and revelation to the world is commemorated but this Feast is generally called Epiphany not Theophany.

Also- in reference to the question about the names of the Magi:
I'm not sure but it could be that the names of the Magi first appear in the Protoevangelium of the Apostle James. Of course this is the one apocryphal text that is used by the Orthodox Church as a faithful witness of what was largely oral tradition within the Church.

In Christ- Fr Raphael