Melchior (magus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Melchior |
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Melchior along with Caspar and Balthasar - from the pictorial encyclopedia Hortus Deliciarum by Herrad of Landsberg as reproduced by Christian Maurice Engelhardt
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| 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 | 1 January (Date of his Death) 6 January (Epiphany) |
| 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 Melchior, also known as Melichior, is believed to be one of the three Biblical Magi. These wise men visited the baby Jesus after he was born. Melchior is often thought to be the oldest of the Magi. He was traditionally called the King of Persia. He brought the gift of gold to Jesus. In many Christian churches, he is honored as a saint.
Who Was Saint Melchior?
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The Bible does not mention the names of the Magi or how many there were. However, their traditional names, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, come from an old Greek document from around 500 AD. This document was later translated into Latin.
In the 8th century, a writer named St Bede described Melchior. He said Melchior was "an old man, with white hair and long beard." Melchior is also commonly known as the King of Persia.
The Journey to Bethlehem
The Magi followed the Star of Bethlehem. This special star led them first to the palace of Herod the Great. Herod was the king at that time. He asked the Magi to find the Child Jesus and report back to him.
When the Magi found the house where Jesus was, they honored him. They opened their gifts. Melchior gave Jesus the gift of gold. This gift showed that Jesus was a king who would rule the world.
According to an old calendar of saints, Melchior returned to Persia. He met the other Magi again in 54 AD in Armenia. They celebrated Christmas together. Melchior is said to have died on January 1, 55 AD, at the age of 116.
Honoring Saint Melchior
Melchior, along with Caspar and Balthazar, is believed to be buried 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 314 AD by Eustorgius I. Later, in 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa moved them to Cologne.
Melchior is remembered on the Feast of Epiphany. This holiday is celebrated on January 6. In the Catholic faith, January 6 is also his special feast day.
See also
In Spanish: Rey Melchor para niños
