User:Jijithnr/Misdaeus
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Mizdaeus or Mazdai was an Indo-Parthian king who is found mention in the apochrypal text Acts of Thomas.[1] The following extract from this text, describe how St.Thomas was executed by a Zoroastrian king named Misdaeus in his Indo-Parthian Kingdom (a part of modern day Pakistan):
Misdaeus saith unto him : I have not made haste to destroy thee, but have had long patience with thee: but thou hast added unto thine evil deeds, and thy sorceries are dispersed abroad and heard of throughout all the country: but this I do that thy sorceries may depart with thee, and our land be cleansed from them. Thomas saith unto him; These sorceries depart [NOT, Syr.] with me when I set forth hence, and know thou this that I [THEY, Syr.] shall never forsake them that are here.
When the apostle had said these things, Misdaeus considered how he should put him to death; for he was afraid because of the much people that were subject unto him, for many also of the nobles and of them that were in authority believed on him. He took him therefore and went forth out of the city; and armed soldiers also went with him. And the people supposed that the king desired to learn somewhat of him, and they stood still and gave heed. And when they had walked one mile, he delivered him unto four soldiers and an officer, and commanded them to take him into the mountain and there pierce him with spears and put an end to him,[1] and return again to the city. And saying thus unto the soldiers, he himself also returned unto the city.
This narration is at variance with the dominant Christian tradition that St. Thomas was martyred at Mylapore near Chennai in South India which was then under the rule of Cholas and not under any Indo-Parthian king or Zoroastrian rulers. This narration also contradicts the portrait of St. Thomas' martyrdom illustrated inside the church of St. Thomas in Mylapore, which shows a single Brahmana Hindu back stabbing St. Thomas with a lance while he was engaged in prayer.