A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

§ 54. Manichæanism 279original home of his father, from which he emigrated to theprovince of Babylon. He took up his residence in Al Madain, ina portion of the city known as Ctesiphon. In that place was anidol's temple, and Fatak was accustomed to go into it, as did alsothe other people of the place. It happened one day that a voice [253]sounded forth from the sacred interior of the temple, saying tohim: “Fatak, eat no flesh, drink no wine and refrain from carnalintercourse.” This was repeated to him several times on threedays. When Fatak perceived this, he joined a society of peoplein the neighborhood of Dastumaisan which were known underthe name of Al-Mogtasilah, i.e., those who wash themselves,baptists, and of whom remnants are to be found in these partsand in the marshy districts at the present time. These belongedto that mode of life which Fatak had been commanded to follow.His wife was at that time pregnant with Mani, and when she hadgiven him birth she had, as they say, glorious visions regardinghim, and even when she was awake she saw him taken by someone unseen, who bore him aloft into the air, and then brought himdown again; sometimes he remained even a day or two beforehe came down again. Thereupon his father sent for him and hadhim brought to the place where he was, and so he was broughtup with him in his religion. Mani, in spite of his youthful age,spake words of wisdom. After he had completed his twelfthyear there came to him, according to his statement, a revelationfrom the King of the Paradise of Light, who is God the Exalted,as he said. The angel which brought him the revelation wascalled Eltawan; this name means “the Companion.” He spoketo Mani, and said: “Separate thyself from this sort of faith, forthou belongest not among its adherents, and it is obligatory uponyou to practise continence and to forsake the fleshly desires, yeton account of thy youth the time has not come for thee to takeup thy public work.” But when he was twenty-four years old,Eltawan appeared to him and said: “Hail, Mani, from me andfrom the Lord who has sent me to thee and has chosen thee to be