Strange text written on an Egyptian papyrus. It contains a magical invocation used by ancient Christians

A Greek papyrus dating back some 1,500 years from an ancient Egyptian city refers to Jesus' Last Supper and manna from heaven.

A small Egyptian papyrus discovered John Rylands library Research Institute of the University of Manchester, it contains one of the oldest "chants" which dates from the early Christian period.

Roberta Mazza stated that the document, which was worn as an amulet, containing a reference to the Last Supper and the "manna fallen from heaven".

It is among the few evidence which shows how the magic was used by Christians in Egypt.

Papyrus, which has existed for 1,500 years, contains fragments of Psalms and the Gospel of Matthew.

Here is the translation of the text:

The translated text on the papyrus reads:

"Fear you all who rule over the earth.

Know you nations and peoples that Christ is our God.

For he spoke and they came to being, he commanded and they were created; he put everything under our feet and delivered us from the wish of our enemies.

Our God prepared a sacred table in the desert for the people and gave manna of the new covenant to eat, the Lord's immortal body and the blood of Christ poured for us in remission of sins."

People of the time believed such passages had magical powers, Mazza told Live Science. Supporting that idea, creases can be seen on the fragment, Mazza said, suggesting the papyrus was folded into a rectangular packet measuring 3 by 10.5 centimeters (1.2 by 4.1 inches), and either placed into a box at home or worn around a person's neck.

Mazza says that when Christians believed that these texts have magical powers. She says the papyrus had been packed into a box of just 3/10 cm and was worn on the neck or kept in the house for magical protection.

Religious texts were written on the back of a document that was used to pay a fee for grain. Papyrus belonged to a tax collector Tertembuthis village, located near the town now called El-Ashmunein.

Interestingly, the person who wrote the text copied him but wrote him personally, because there are many grammar and spelling mistakes, Mazza added.

Papyrus is proof that Egyptians Christians of the past have long kept pagan magical practices while wearing and using amulets.


However, even now some Christians carry their images of saints who have written on various prayers behind you good luck.


Other articles on the same theme:

• Mysterious inscriptions reveals a Dark Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses I

• 4,000-Year-Old Ancient Babylonian Tablet is Oldest Customer Service Complaint Ever Discovered

• Creepy assassination of Ramesses III. After thousands of years, Egyptologists reveals how great king was killed

• Deciphering the past - 8 writings still unknown

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