A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

66 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historynor those in the East, nor those in Egypt, nor those in Libya, nor [054]those which have been established in the central regions 26 of theworld.(d) Bardesanes, De Fato. F. Nau, Bardesane l'astrologue; lelivre des lois des pays, Paris. 1899.Bardesanes (154-222 A. D.) was the great Christian teacher ofEdessa. He lived at the court of Abgar IX (179-214), whom,according to a doubtful tradition, he is said to have converted.The entire book may be found well translated by B. P. Pratten,ANF, VIII. 723-734.In Syria and Edessa men used to part with their manhood inhonor of Tharatha, 27 but when King Abgar became a believer hecommanded that every one that did so should have his hand cutoff, and from that day until now no one does so in the country ofEdessa.And what shall we say of the new race of us Christians, whomChrist at His advent planted in every country and in every region?For, lo, wherever we are, we are called after the one name ofChrist—namely, Christians. On one day, the first day of theweek, we assemble ourselves together, and on the days of thereadings 28 we abstain from sustenance. The brethren who are inGaul do not take males for wives, nor those in Parthia two wives;nor do those in Judea circumcise themselves; nor do those of oursisters who are among the Geli consort with strangers; nor dothose of our brethren who are in Persia take their daughters forwives; nor do those who are in Media abandon their dead or burythem alive or give them as food to the dogs; nor do those who25 Cf. Acts 2:9 ff.26 Probably Palestine is here meant.27 The great Syrian goddess Atargatis.28 Reference is obscure.