| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| Wise Men of the East |
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| Magi, or Three Kings, men who came from the East to adore the newborn Jesus. Mat. 2. They were the first to tell Herod of the birth. A star (the Star of Bethlehem) had been a sign for them. Christian tradition has elaborated the biblical account; it has set their number as three, perhaps from their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; it has called them kings, perhaps from Ps. 72.10,11 and Isa. 49.7,23 considered as prophecies; and it has given them names, Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are called sometimes the Three Kings of Cologne because there is a great shrine to them in the cathedral at Cologne. The feast of the Epiphany commemorates their visit. In art the visit is called the Adoration of the Magi. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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