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[[Image:Nativity of Christ - Adoration of the Magi.jpg|thumb|right|Adoration of the Magi icon.]][[File:Adoration of the Magi (Menologion of Basil II).jpg|right|thumb|Adoration of the Magi (''Menologion of Basil II, 10th-11th c.'')]]According to the [[Gospel of Matthew]] (2:1-16), the wise men or '''Magi''' followed a star to the birth place of Christ. It was written that they were from the east and that they brought three gifts to Christ; gold, frankincense , and myrrh. Since there were three gifts, it has been inferred that there were three Magi.
There are numerous variations of the names of the Magi in Greek , but the most common variation is for the name Gaspar which in Greek is Ιάσπερος Γιάσπερος (yiasperos''Iasperos'') which translates into English is Anglicized as [[''Jasper]]''.
==Star of Bethlehem==[[Image:Nativity1.jpg|right|thumb|The name day for anyone Nativity of Christ with the name JasperStar of Bethlehem depicted top center.]]In the [[Orthodox Church]], the Star of Bethlehem is not interpreted as an astronomical event, but rather as a supernatural occurrence, whereby an angel was sent by God to lead the Magi to the Christ Child. This is illustrated in the Troparion of the Nativity: <blockquote>'''Apolytikion: (Fourth Tone)'''<br>Your birth, O Christ our God,<br>dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth.<br>For by Your birth those who adored stars ''(i.e. Magi)''<br>were taught by a star<br>to worship You, the Sun of Justice,<br>and to know You, Orient from on High.<br>O Lord, Gasparglory to You.<ref>"[http://www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/nativity Hymns of the Feast]". ''Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'' Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 2009.</ref></blockquote> In Orthodox icons, Melchior or Balthasar the Star of Bethlehem is often depicted not as golden, but as a dark aureola, a semicircle at the top of the icon, indicating the [[December 25Uncreated Light]]of Divine [[grace]], with a ray pointing to "the place where the young child lay" (Matt 2:9).Sometimes the faint image of an angel is drawn inside the aureola. ==See also==* [[Nativity]] ==References== <div><references/></div>
==External Links==
*Article in Drum, W. (1910). ''[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm Magi].'' In: '''The Catholic Encyclopedia(New Advent).''' New York: Robert Appleton Company. '''Wikipedia'''* [[w:Biblical Magi|Biblical Magi]]* [[w:Adoration of the Magi in Art|Adoration of the Magi in Art]]* [[w:Star of Bethlehem|Star of Bethlehem]]
[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[el:Τρεις μάγοι]]
[[ro:Magi]]