disciples, "Bring me grapevines, so that of fire." And the disciples brought up
(
pag
e109)
incense. He sent up along with frankincense, mastic, nard, and oil of myrrh. And he also spread a of offering, and set upon it a chalice of upon it according to the number of all of his disciples dress themselves crowned them with the plant pigeon doghead in their mouths. And he had the seven voices in their two hands, the pl�nt chrysanthemum in their two knotgrass under their feet. And he incense which he had offered up. And he·together.
the incense which he had offered up seal:
: Zozazez.
four comers of the world with his disci
speaking thus, "Hear me, my father, infinite light. Make my disciples worthy
(page 110)
fire, and release them from from their transgressions: those which and those which they do not know which they have committed fromchild-as well as th;lr slanders, their curses, thefts, their lies, their lying accusations, their lusts, their greed, and things from childhood up to this very day.
them out and purify them all. Make
Zorokothora Melchisedek come secretly and bring the water of the baptism of fire of the virgin of the light, the judge. Yea, hear me, my father, as I invoke your imperishable names that are in the treasury of the light:
Azarakaza A .. Amathkratitath YoYoYo
Amen Amen Yaoth Yaoth Yaoth
Phaoph Phaoph Phaoph Chioephozpe Chenobinuth Zarlai Lazarlai Laizai Amen Amen Amen Zazizauach Nebeounisph Phamou Phamou Phamou Amounai Amounai Amen Amen Amen
Zazazazi Etazaza Zothazazaz.
"Hear me, my father, father of all fatherhoods, infinite light, for I have invoked your imperishable names that are in
(
page 111)
the treasury of the light. You must make Zorokthora come and bring the water of the fire baptism of the virgin of the light, that I may baptize my disciples in it."Yea, hear me, my father, father of all fatherhoods, infinite light. Let the virgin of the light come and baptize my disciples in the baptism of fire. Let her forgive their sins and purify their transgressions. For I invoke her imperishable names, which are:
Zothooza Thoitha Zazzaoth Amen Amen Amen.
"Yea, hear me, 0 virgin of the light, judge. Forgive the sins of my disciples and purify their transgressions, those which they knowingly committed and those which they do not know they committed, those which .they committed from childhood up to this very day. And let them be numbered among the inheritance of the kingdom of the light.
"So, my father, if you have forgiven their sins, and wiped out their transgressions, and made them be numbered in the
RITUAL POWER IN COJ7TIC GNOSTIC TEXTS 65
kingdom of the light, you must give me a sign within the fire of this fragrant incense."
And at that instant the sign that Jesus had mentioned hap
pened in the fire, and Jesus baptized his disciples. And he gave to them from the offering and he sealed them on their foreheads with the seal of the (page 112) virgin of the light, that which makes them be numbered within the kingdom of light.
And the disciples rejoiced, for they had received the baptism of fire along with the seal that forgives sins, and because they had been numbered with the inheritance of the kingdom of light.
This is the seal:
39.
Spell for ascending through the heavens
Text: Bruce Codex, Bodleian Library, Oxford; page 127, line 5 to page 128, line 20
Description: papyrus codex of originally seventy-eight (now seventy-one) leaves. The section translated here is pan of chapter 52 of the Second Book of Jeu. Fourth century(?)
Bibliography: Carl Schmidt, Gnostische Schriften in koptischer Sprache aus dem Codex Brucianus; Carl Schmidt and Violet MacDermot, The Books of Jeu and the Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex
Translator: Richard Smith
The theme of the soul ascending through the multiple heavens dominates Gnostic literature. Although similar ascents are found in other traditions, the Gnostic versions are characterized by the hostility of the cosmic environment and the confrontational aspect of the heav
enly rulers or archons. Here Jesus gives the disciples instructions on how to overcome these archons during their after-death journey. They receive higher names of powers to invoke, seals, and a pebble-amulet.
The section translated here is only part of a long ritual sequence.
The previous text (text 38) is one of a series of baptisms that serve as a
66 RITIJAL POWER IN EGYPT
preliminary to the ascent.
Following
liTe given for arriving at the fourth t�SCending Gnostic soul encounters the ad the multitude of emanationsof
Still further and higher aeons are script is missing.The many names and numbers
tlbaoth,
who plays a leading rolein
ktu:ler of the archons, appears here asTEXT
When you come out of the the aeons, and the archons of yourselves with this seal:
This is its name: Zozeze.
Say it one time only.
Grasp this pebble with both dred nineteen.
When you have finished and you recite its name one time also: "Retreat Prote(th),
aeon, for I invoke Eaza Zeozaz Whenever the archons of they will be very afraid, withdraw to the west, while you journey on When you reach the second arrive before you. Seal yourselves
This is its name; say it one
must give me a sign within the fire of
sign that Jesus had mentioned hap
his disciples. And he gave to he sealed them on their foreheads 112) virgin of the light, that which within the kingdom of light.
for they had received the baptism that forgives sins, and because they had inheritance of the kingdom of light.
libr.uy, Oxford; page 127, line 5 to page 128,
of originally seventy-eight (now seventy-one) here is pan of chapter 52 of the Second Book
and Violet MacDerrnot, The Books of ]eu Codex
IISC.ending through the multiple heavens Although similar ascents are found in flllerSions are characterized by the hostility rhe confrontational aspect of the heav-Jesus gives the disciples instructions on
during their after-death journey. They to invoke, seals, and a pebble-amulet.
is only part of a long ritual sequence.
one of a series of baptisms that serve as a
preliminary to the ascent. Following this section, similar instructions are given for arriving at the fourth through the twelfth aeons. Then the ascending Gnostic soul encounters the thirteenth and fourteenth aeons and the multitude of emanations of the first and second invisible god.
Still further and higher aeons are indicated, but the end of the manu
script is missing.
The many names and numbers are mostly unintelligible. But Yald
abaoth, who plays a leading role in several Nag Hammadi texts as the leader of the archons, appears here as hardly more than a spear-carrier.
TEXT
When you come out of the body and you reach the first of the aeons, and the archons of that aeon arrive before you, seal yourselves with this seal:
This is its name: Zozeze.
Say it one time only.
Grasp this pebble with both your hands: 1119, eleven hun
dred nineteen.
When you have finished sealing yourselves with this seal, and you recite its name one time only, say these protective spells also: "Retreat Prote(th), Persomphon, Chous, archons of the first aeon, for I invoke Eaza Zeozaz Zozeoz."
Whenever the archons of the first aeon hear these names, they will be very afraid, withdraw to themselves, and flee leftward to the west, while you journey on up.
When you reach the second of the aeons, Chouncheoch will arrive before you. Seal yourselves with this seal:
This is its name; say it one time only: Thozoaz.
RITUAL POWER IN COPTIC GNOSTIC TEXTS 67
Grasp this pebble with both your hands: (page
128)
2219, twenty-two hundred nineteen.When you have finished sealing yourselves with this seal, and you recite its name one time only, say these protective spells also: "Retreat Chouncheoch, archon of the second of the aeons, for I invoke Ezaoz Zoeza Zoozaz."
Yet again the archons of the second aeon will withdraw to themselves and flee westward to the left, while you journey on up.
When you reach the third of the aeons, Yaldabaoth and Choucho will be arriving before you. Seal yourselves with this seal:
#
This is its name: Zozeaz.
Say it one time only.
Grasp this pebble with your hands: 3349, thirty-three hun
dred forty-nine.
When you have finished sealing yourselves with this seal, and have recited its name one time onlYt say these protective spells also: "Retreat Yaldabaoth and Choucho, archons of the third of the aeons, for I invoke Zozezaz Zaozoz Chozoz."
Yet again the archons of the third of the aeons will with
draw to themselves and flee westward to the left, while you journey on up.
40.
The Gospel of the Egyptians
Text: Nag Hammadi Codex Ill, page 66, line 8 to page 67, line 26 (parallel Codex IV, page 78, line 10 to page 80, line 14)
Description: Parallel versions of this text exist in two founh-century papyrus books from Nag Hammadi; in Codex Ill it is the second of five tractates, and in Codex IV it is the second of two. The Codex Ill version bears the title "The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit," but modem editors have called it the Gospel of the Egyptians
68 RITIJAL POWER IN EGYPT
Bibliography: Alexander Bohlig and Frederik III,2 and IV,2: The Gospel of the Egyptians Translator: Richard Smith
This lovely hymn of mystical union Sethian Gnostic text, the Holy Book of the hymn uses metaphors of light, water, and ilation of the worshiper to the deity. The existing father, a mother, and a son.
transcendent, this mystical assimilation the worshiper, in the mind and in the images seem unable to contain such paradox of hymning and naming a deit}' ible silence, and the language breaks out in and glossolalia.
The original editors suggested that hymns, the first made up of five strophes the second hymn made up of the five strophes rate paragraphs. The editors also suggested words are code names, including that of Jesus_
TEXT
IE IEUS 1 EO OU EO OUA
Truly, truly! 10 IESSEU MAZAREU living water!
The child of the child! 1
0 glorious name!
Truly, truly! 1 The one existing IIII EEEE EEEE 00 1 00 UUUU Truly, truly! EI AAAA 00 1 00 0 one who exists, who sees the Truly, truly! AEE EEE IIII1 The one who exists for ever and Truly, truly! lEA AIO, in 1 the mind, UAEI EISAEI 1 EIOEI EIOSEI
This, your great name, 1 is upon one, who is not outside of me. 25 I before everyone. For who will be able language?
both your hands: (page 128) 2219,
sealing yourselves with this seal, time only, say these protective spells archon of the second of the aeons,
to the left, while you journey
third of the aeons, Yaldabaoth and before you. Seal yourselves with this
#
your hands: 3349, thirty-three
hun-sealing yourselves with this seal, one time only, say these protective and Choucho, archons of the Zozezaz Zaozoz Chozoz."
of the third of the aeons will with
flee westward to the left, while you
m. page 66, line 8 to page 67, line 26 (parallel ID page 80, line 14)
of this text exist in two fourth-century in Codex Ill it is the second of five
of the Great Invisible Spirit," but modem of the Egyptians
Bibliography: Alexander Bohlig and Frederik Wisse, Nag Hammadi Codices Ill,2 and 1\1,2: The Gospel of the Egyptians
Translator: Richard Smith
This lovely hymn of mystical union comes from the climax of a Sethian Gnostic text, the Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit. The hymn uses metaphors of light, water, and "putting on" to express assim
ilation of the worshiper to the deity. The deity consists of an eternally existing father, a mother, and a son. Although the deity is eternal and transcendent, this mystical assimilation takes place in the interior of the worshiper, in the mind and in the breast. The poetically charged images seem unable to contain such paradoxes, including the ultimate paradox of hymning and naming a deity whose true nature is inexpress
ible silence, and the language breaks out in abstract vowel chanting and glossolalia.
The original editors suggested that this passage contains two hymns, the first made up of five strophes beginning "truly, truly," and the second hymn made up of the five strophes here translated as sepa
rate paragraphs. The editors also suggested that many of the abstract words are code names, including that of Jesus.
TEXT
IE IEUS 1 EO OU EO OUA
Truly, truly! 10 IESSEU MAZAREU IESSEDEKEU, 1 the living water!
The child of the child! 1
0 glorious name!
Truly, truly! 1 The one existing eternally!
IIII EEEE EEEE 00 1 00 UUUU 0000 AAAA 15 Truly, truly! EI AAAA 00 1 00
0 one who exists, who sees the aeons! 1
Truly, truly! AEE EEE 11111 UUUUUU 00000000 1
The one who exists for ever and ever! 20 Truly, truly! lEA AIO, in 1 the mind, who exists!
UAEI EISAEI 1 EIOEI EIOSEI
This, your great name, 1 is upon me, 0 faultless, 1 self-born one, who is not outside of me. 25 I see you, 0 one invisible 1
before everyone. For who will be able to 1 grasp you in another language?
RITUAL POWER IN COPTIC GNOSfiC TEXTS 69
Now (page 67) that I have known you, I have merged myself
1 with the one who does n.ot change. I have armed 1 myself with lu
minous armor 1 and have been luminous. For the mother was 5 there on account of the lovely beauty 1 of grace. Therefore 1 I have reached out my folded hands. 1
I have been formed by the ring 1 of the wealth of light which is in 10 my breast, which gives form to the multitude 1 born in the light, where no accusation 1 reaches. I shall sing your 1 glory truly, for I have grasped 1 you. SOU IES IDE AEIO AEIE OIS 0! 15
Eternal, eternal god of silence, I 1 honor you completely. You are my 1 place of rest, 0 son, ES ES 0 E, the 1 formless one who ex
ists in the formless ones. 1
He exists, he raises the one 20 by whom you shall purify me into 1 your life according to your indestructible name. 1 Therefore the fragrance of life 1 is in me. I have blended it with water, 1 from the pattern of all the rulers, 25 so that I shall live with you in the peace 1 of the saints, you who exist for ever.
41.
The First Stele of Seth
Text: Nag Hammadi Codex VII, page 118, line 24 to page 121, line 17 Description: The Three Steles of Seth is the fifth and last tractate of a fourth-century papyrus book, Codex VII, from Nag Hammadi.
Bibliography: Birger A. Pearson, Nag Hammadi Codex VII Translator: Richard Smith