Mani (Apostle of Light)

Raised within an Elcesaite baptist community near Seleucia-Ctesiphon, Mani received encounters at age twelve and twenty-four with his divine heavenly twin (Syzygos), commissioning him as the Paraclete and universal apostle of light.

Mani uniquely wrote his own theological scriptures in Syriac Aramaic and personally illustrated them (the Arzhang) to prevent doctrinal corruption. His missionary faith stretched from Carthage and Rome across the Silk Road to imperial China before he died in prison under King Bahram I.