THE MANICHAEAN HOLY DAYS

The Manichaean faithful are to observe a number of special occasions, some solemn and others joyful.
In continuity with the prophetic revelation of Mani’s predecessor Elkasai, Manichaeism has a weekly
Sabbath rest. Unlike the Jewish-Christian Sabbath, this occurs from Saturday twilight to Sunday
twilight (24 hours). Sunday is the day of the Sun. Both Hearers and Elect fast on the Sabbath, as well as
refrain from as much travel, work and and in general activity as possible so as not to grieve the Living
Souls in nature. Special Sunday hymns are appropriate.
Monday is also a holy day and pertains particularly to the Elect. Mani received his prophetic revelation
on Monday, and it was also the day of his death. Confession of sins, prayers and hymns, sermons, and
mutual requests for repentance and forgiveness are appropriate to Mondays. The Monday rite
presided by Elect begins with confession of sins to the lord Mani and to the gods, and ends with
mutual forgiveness and assurance of shared love among brethren. Monday is the day of the Moon and
also is the ‘day of the gods.’ Scriptures and commandments of the faith are read on this day. As with
Sabbath, the Elect are to refrain from writing, travel, and activities which may harm the living souls.
While Hearers need only fast on the Sunday (Sabbath), Elect fast on both Sundays and Mondays.
Monday is primarily relevant to the Elect.
In addition to these there are a number of annual celebrations in the Manichaean religion that were
determined by the lunar year of the Babylonian calendar, these being set according to the position of
the Sun in the ecliptic and certain phases of the Moon, falling into astrological Sagittarius to Pisces (i.e.
the latter third of the Babylonian lunar-solar cycle). To wit, there are five Yimkis (Yimki is a Turkic
development of Parthian yamag, meaning ‘twin’ and referring to these occasions being two days long):
1. Ohrmazd the First Man
2. Mar Sissin
3. Jesus
4. The Three Presbyters who followed after Mar Sissin into martyrdom
5. Mani
These five Yimki-celebrations last two days each, are marked by uninterrupted fasting during the span
of the two days, and are dedicated to the commemoration of the great martyrs of the Manichaean
church.
The Yimki of Ohrmazd, the First Man who was first to sacrifice himself for the salvation of the World
of Light, is celebrated during the full moon of the Sun sign in Sagittarius (November 22 nd to
December 21st).
The Yimki of Mar Sissin, political successor to Mani in the church who suffered martyrdom under
Bahram II (276-93 A.D.), is celebrated on New Light, when the Sun is in Capricorn (December 22 nd to
January 19th), i.e. right after the winter solstice.
The Yimki of Jesus is observed during the Full Moon of the Sun in Capricorn.
The Yimki of the Three Presbyters is observed eight days after New Light, with the Sun in Aquarius.
Finally the Yimki of Mani is celebrated twenty-six days after that of the Three Presbyters. Instead of
being determined by the Moon phase, it is patterned after Mani’s twenty-six day imprisonment and his
death on the twenty-seventh day. It is also called the Bema fast and falls on the first and second day of
the twelfth Sogdian month.
Following directly after the Yimki of Mani is the highest celebration of the year, the Bema (‘throne’)
festival. It falls two days after the Mani-Yimki and at the end of the 30-day fasting month (the 27 th and
28th days of said month). It is New Year’s Day on the 1 st of the month after the fast month. The
throne, which the festival is named for, symbolizes the tribunal of Christ, who will return after the
time of the eschatalogical persecutions to rule over humanity. The Bema feast is a cheerful and
optimistic time in expectation of salvation. It marks a new and better age and therefore is also at the
beginning of the year. The festival venerates the elevated Mani (the Comforter) who returns to his
community. It commemorates his suffering, death and soul-ascension. The Elect convene a common
meal at this occasion, and sins of the Hearers are absolved on this day; many Bema hymns from the
various Manichaean sources exist.
The full 30-day fasting month which precedes the Bema festival entails a complete fast from each
sunrise to twilight, when the fast is broken by vegetarian foods. During this fast month there are two
two-day Yimki periods (already mentioned), namely of the Three Presbyters at the beginning and of
Mani toward the end, which are uninterrupted fasting periods. On the remaining days the Hearers
observe the rule which is obligatory to the Elect throughout their whole lives, namely one meal at
nightfall that breaks the daily fast.