The Chaldean Magi

Jerome

Jerome (c. 342–347 – 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was an early Christian priest, confessor, theologian, translator, and historian; he is commonly known as Saint Jerome. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate) and his commentaries on the whole Bible. Jerome attempted to create a translation of the Old Testament based on a Hebrew version, rather than the Septuagint, as prior Latin Bible translations used. His list of writings is extensive. In addition to his biblical works, he wrote polemical and historical essays, always from a theologian's perspective. Due to his work, Jerome is recognized as a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Catholic Church, and as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion. His feast day is 30 September (Gregorian calendar).

Epistle CVII

ad Laetam:

When a few years ago your relative Graecus, whose name bespeaks his noble birth, held the office of prefect of the city, did he not utterly destroy the cave of Mithras with all the monstrous crew that give names to the initiates in their grades, the crow, the gryphon, the soldier, the lion, the Persian, Heliodromus, and father? These his works were pledges as it were sent forward, whereby he gained Christian baptism.

Adversus Jovinianum

I. 7:

According to the popular legend Mithras and Erichthonius were born in a rock or in the ground by the unaided passion of lust.

Adversus Jovinianum

II. 14:

Eubulus the author of a history of Mithras in many volumes states that there are three classes of Magi among the Persians, the first of which, men pre-eminent in learning and eloquence, confine their food to pulse and vegetables alone.

Comm. in Amos

V: 9-10:

Basilides gives to the omnipotent god the uncouth name of Abraxas, and asserts that according to the Greek letters and the number of the cycle of the year this is comprehended in the Sun's orbit. The name Mithra, which the Gentiles use, gives the same sum with different letters.