Johannes of Hildesheim and Alexander

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hiphys
Pezhetairos (foot soldier)
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Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:59 am

Johannes of Hildesheim and Alexander

Post by hiphys »

Today is Epiphany and I found a legend about this Christian holiday.
Johannes of Hildesheim (Germany) a Carmelite monk (1310-1375 A.D.), in his book 'Historia Trium Regum (History of Three Kings, i.e.the Magi)', told a legend connected with the gold given to the Child Jesus by Melchior. He said the Magi brought with them the gold Alexander, the son of Philip, left in Chaldea, Persia and India. When Melchior met the Child Jesus, he gave him a golden apple, previously belonging to Alexander, to signify kingship over the world. But as soon as the Child touched the apple, it was reduced to powder, a symbol of earthly power thwarted by divine power.
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marcus
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Re: Johannes of Hildesheim and Alexander

Post by marcus »

I've never come across this before but, yes, having now searched for a copy of the text there it is: Capitulum xxjm.
Great find!
Marcus
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