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St Photius the Great, tr. Freese, 1920; selections
Codex 81: Theodore of Mopsuestia, On Persian Magic and Wherein It Differs from…
Read three short treatises by Theodore1 On Persian Magic and wherein it differs from Christianity,2 dedicated to Mastubius, an Armenian and suffragan bishop. In the first book the accursed doctrine of the Persians, introduced by Zarades,3 concerning Zuruam,4 whom he makes the beginning of all things and calls Fortune, is expounded; how that, having offered a libation to beget Hormisdas,5 he begot both him and Satan. Of the mixing of blood.6 Having set forth this impious and disgraceful doctrine in plain words he refutes it in the first book. In the other two books he discusses the Christian faith, beginning from the creation of the world and at the same time rapidly going down to the law of grace.7
This Theodore is believed to be Theodore of Mopsuestia, since he mentions with approval the heresy of Nestorius, especially in the third book. He also foolishly talks of the restoration of sinners to their former condition.
Notes
- Cod. XXXVIII.
- They were directed against Zoroastrianism, which was making some way at the time.
- Zoroaster (Zarathustra).
- Zervan, the principle of infinite time, from which both Ormuzd and Ahriman, the good and evil spirits, were supposed to have emanated. The sect of the Zervanists thus endeavoured to avoid Zoroastrian dualism.
- Ormuzd.
- Supposed to be a reference to Gnostic supporters of Zoroastrianism.
- The Christian era.