Magi
From Encyclopædia
The Magi (singular: Magus) were the priestly hierarchy of ancient
Zoroastrianism. The name was originally that of the tribe to which they belonged. Like the Brahmans of India, the Magi were keepers of the cult and of sacrificial power and exercised considerable political power while
Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia.In the Hellenistic
world the name magi was applied to Eastern astrologers and interpreters of dreams, men considered "wise in the things of God." (Hence the derivation of the word magic.) It is in this sense that the name came to be applied to the "wise men from the East" who followed the
star to Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus, presenting him with gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh (Matt. 2). Later tradition called them kings and named them Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The Christian church honors them as the first Gentiles to believe in Christ and celebrates their visit by the feast of EPIPHANY.
