Balthazar (magus) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Balthazar
Balthazar in The Adoration of the Three Kings by Girolamo da Santacroce
Three Magi, Three Kings, Three Wise Men
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion Lutheran Church
Canonized	Pre-Congregation
Major shrine	Shrine of the Three Kings, Cologne Cathedral
Feast	6 January (Epiphany) 6 January (date of his death)
Attributes	King bearing gifts, king on a camel, three crowns
Patronage	Epilepsy, thunder, motorists, pilgrims, playing card manufacturers, sawmen, sawyers, travellers, travelling merchants, Cologne, Germany, Saxony

Saint Balthazar is known as one of the three biblical Magi, or Wise Men. He visited the baby Jesus after Jesus was born. People also call him Balthasar or Balthassar. Tradition says he was the King of Macedonia. He brought the gift of myrrh to Jesus. In the Catholic Church, Balthazar is considered a saint, just like the other two Magi, Caspar and Melchior.

Who Was Balthazar?

The Bible's book of Matthew does not name the Magi. It also does not say how many there were. Their traditional names come from an old Greek book. This book was written around 500 AD. It was then translated into Latin.

In this old book, Balthazar was called Bithisarea. Later, his name became Balthazar in Western Christian traditions. A writer named Saint Bede described Balthazar in the 8th century. He said Balthazar had "black complexion, with a heavy beard." He also noted that the myrrh Balthazar carried "prefigured the death of the Son of man." This meant the myrrh was a sign of Jesus' future death.

The Journey of the Magi

Balthazar, along with the other Magi, followed the Star of Bethlehem. This special star led them to Herod the Great's palace. King Herod told them to find the Child Jesus. He asked them to return and tell him where Jesus was.

When the Magi found Jesus, they worshipped him. They also gave him special gifts. Balthazar gave the gift of myrrh. Myrrh was a very expensive item back then. It was used in ancient times for burials. So, this gift symbolized Jesus' future death.

After their visit, the Magi did not return to King Herod. They went back to their own countries. It is believed that Balthazar celebrated Christmas with the other Magi. This happened in Armenia in 54 AD. He is said to have died on January 6, 55 AD, at 112 years old.

Remembering Balthazar

Balthazar is remembered on January 6. This day is also called Epiphany. It is the day Christians celebrate the Magi's visit to Jesus. In the Catholic Church, January 6 is also Balthazar's feast day. This is because it is believed to be the day he died.

The remains of Balthazar and the other Magi are said to be in the Shrine of the Three Kings. This shrine is located in Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Their remains were first moved from Constantinople to Milan in 344 AD. Later, in 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa moved them to Cologne.

Balthazar is also a character in the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. He appears in the movie versions of the book too.

See also

In Spanish: Rey Baltasar para niños

• San Baltasar