THE RETURN OF THE MAGI
The Magi Cross Anatolia (Turkey)
According to Vardan Areveltsi, one of the most eminent Armenian historians and geographers of the 13th c., the passage of the Magi through Anatolia led them to the kingdom of Edessa (Osroene), which was governed by King Abgar V in the 1st c.. Many years after the alleged visit of the Magi, a correspondence between King Abgar V and Jesus is mentioned in the “Legend of Abgar,” a text that has been referenced by numerous theologians.
On the road from Persia, near Lake Van, there stood a great monastery built at the supposed site of the tomb of one of the Magi, recognized as such by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the founding father of the Armenian Church, in the 3rd c.. The site was partially destroyed by the Turks during the Armenian Genocide. Today, the ruins that testify to the former splendor of the place are used as a manure dump. Nearby, a region was originally called “Moks,” derived from the Armenian word “Mog,” which means Magi.
From Persia to India
The Magi continued their journey toward India, following the ancient spice trade routes. It is said that they completed their journey in Piravom, on the Malabar coast. According to tradition, it was there that the Magi were baptized by the apostle Thomas. The church “Piravom Valiyapally,” built on the banks of a river, is considered the first Christian church in the world dedicated to the visit of the Magi. The name Piravom, derived from “piravi,” which means birth, evokes the spiritual significance of this event. Ancient manuscripts recount the meeting between Saint Thomas and the Magi. Every year, during Epiphany, a colorful festival is held in Piravom to honor the memory of these wise men and their contribution to Christian history, all within a setting rich in Indian tradition.