Many are familiar with the biblical story of the wise men who appeared before the newborn Jesus and presented him with gifts. The strangers were led to the baby by the bright star of Bethlehem, which they considered an omen of the coming of the Savior. Who are the wise men who were among the first to see God in human form?
The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem
In the Bible, the term "wise men" refers to sages and astrologers who could predict future events based on the movement of heavenly bodies. Watching the sky, the Magi saw an unusual star over the city of Bethlehem. Following her, the wandering magicians came to the place where the newborn Christ was, recognized him as the King of Glory and presented him with their gifts.
The Magi hurried to Bethlehem, because they considered a bright star in the sky as a sign, testifying to the birth of the Great King, whose appearance was so long expected. For the Magi, it was not just a star, but the radiance of angelic divine power.
In the East, where the astrologers came from, the prophecies of the Old Testament about the coming of the Messiah, who were destined for the role of the Savior of lost humanity, have long been spread.
The authors of the Gospels do not mention the names of the Magi and their number. The mention of the three magicians appeared in early Christian literature much later, and later the legend was supplemented by medieval authors. According to the established tradition, it is believed that three wise men came to Jesus. Even their names and nationalities are mentioned. African Balthazar was a youth, Melchior was middle-aged and came from Europe, and Caspar (Gaspar), being a gray-haired old man, represented Asia.
Legend has it that after visiting Jesus, the Magi departed to other lands. It is believed that much later they were baptized and martyred in one of the eastern countries. The relics of the Magi were subsequently found and preserved in Constantinople, after which they were transferred to Europe, where the relics are kept to this day.
Gifts of the Magi
What were the gifts of the Magi? The Bible says that the wise men presented the newborn Jesus with three gifts: frankincense, gold and myrrh - a fragrant resin. Each gift had its own specific symbolic meaning. Frankincense is an offering to God. Gold was usually given to kings.
Smyrna symbolized the future sacrifice of Christ, who gave his life for the salvation of mankind.
According to legend, the mother of Jesus subsequently passed on the gifts of the Magi to the Christians of Jerusalem, and then these Christian symbols ended up in Constantinople. Already in the 15th century, the sacred gifts were transported to the Athos monastery, where they were transferred for storage. Particles of Christian relics are carefully stored in ten special arks. True Christians greatly revere these relics, which remind of distant times and are directly related to the earthly life of the Savior.
