Another case of human semen eucharist among the Manichaeans? Notes on the 'ceremony of the fig' in Cyril of Jerusalem's Catechesis VI

Abstract

The article focuses on a neglected passage in Cyril of Jerusalem's Catechesis VI in which he speaks of the curious Manichaean 'ceremony of the fig'. After providing the Greek text and a fresh translation of Cat. VI,33, an analysis is given of its contents. Noting that Cyril seems to have been well acquainted with those books of the Manichaeans (in all likelihood Mani's Treasure) in which the myth of the Seduction of the Archons was told, I provide an overview and analysis of his description of the Manichaean 'ceremony of the fig'. Cyril's account seems to be corroborated by one or, perhaps, even two of the miniatures from Central Asia in which figs appear to be central in Manichaean sacred meals.