ASIA/IRAQ - The “Mandeian” believers, a very ancient community of so-called “Christians of Saint John the Baptist”, expected at the Pope’s funeral

Tuesday, 5 April 2005

Stockholm (Fides Agency) - At the Pope’s funeral there will also be the “Mandeian” believers, belonging to an ancient cult connected to Saint John Baptist, which is present in Iraq and in diaspora communities in several other countries in the world. Sadi Al Sadi, leader of the Mandean Community, living in Sweden, told Fides: “Our community, that has always maintained good relations with our “Christian cousins”, wants to be present at the his funeral and pay homage to the Holy Father. In 1980 we met with John Paul II. Today we are in communion with the Christians because the Holy Father was a symbol of peace. We sent a letter of condolence and sorrow on behalf of all our believers. The Pope was a universal figure, always in dialogue with all religions and walking on the path of peace. We hope that in the future we can continue and enjoy good relations with the new Pope and with all Christians”.
The Mandeian believers are a few thousands in Iraq and they live close to the confluence of the Tigris and the Euphrates. They are also called the “Christians of Saint John” for a controversial adhesion to the Christianity of the first centuries, but according to some scholars they date back to a pre-Christian gnosis, a syncretism of Christian, Jewish and Manichean elements.
(AE) (Fides Agency 5/4/2005 25 lines 156 words)


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