Xroshtag and Padvaxtag
{{short description|Pair of Manichaean divinities}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Manichaean
| name = Xroshtag and Padvaxtag
| deity_of = Call and Answer
| member_of =
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| other_names =
| hiro =
| affiliation =
| cult_center =
| abode =
| planet =
| mantra =
| weapon =
| battles =
| artifacts =
| animals =
| symbol =
| parents =
| siblings =
| offspring =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| army =
| texts =
| equivalent1_type =
| equivalent1 =
| equivalent2_type =
| equivalent2 =
| region =
| ethnic_group =
| festivals =
}}
{{Manichaeism sidebar}}
Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag (Xrōštag and Padvāxtag) are a pair of Manichaean divinities, always depicted together, who serve as the personifications of the words "call" and "answer".Burkitt, F. C. 1935. Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag, Call and Answer. JTS 36:180–181.{{cite book|last=Lurker|first=Manfred|title=The Routledge dictionary of gods and goddesses, devils and demons|publisher=Routledge|publication-place=London New York|year=2004|isbn=978-1-134-29816-7|oclc=56751246|page=}} The call is uttered from above by the "living spirit", and is answered from below by the man who wishes to be saved.
Theology
In Manichaean cosmology, The "Call" issued by Xrōštag represents the salvific initiative of the Living Spirit—a divine entity sent to rescue the trapped light in the material world—reaching out to the soul with an invitation toward redemption.Sundermann, W. (2001). “Xrōštag and Padvāxtag: The Twin Deities of Revelation.” In Acta Iranica, Vol. 40. Leuven: Peeters. This divine act reflects a core dualistic principle in Manichaean doctrine: the divine Light actively seeks to awaken the imprisoned soul in Darkness through spiritual messaging. Xrōštag in this nature is a hypostatic figure, indicating that the divine intention to save is a constant presence in the cosmological structure.Gulácsi, Z. (2015). Manichaean Art in Berlin Collections. Brepols.
In response, The "Answer" symbolizes the awakening of gnosis in the believer—the recognition of divine origin and the will to return to it.Gardner, I. (1995). The Kephalaia of the Teacher: The Edited Coptic Manichaean Text. Brill.
See also
- Shilmai and Nidbai in Mandaeism
- Adathan and Yadathan in Mandaeism
- Shuqamuna and Shumaliya
- List of angels in theology
References
{{reflist}}
{{Manichaeism footer}}
{{Manichaeism-stub}}